Name of owner: Joe & Alison Elder
Year you opened for business: 2003
How would you describe your business?
Skipjack Nautical Wares and Marine Gallery is an upscale retail store that offers a focused collection of authentic maritime antiques, fine original marine art, custom and re-purposed nautical furniture and furnishings, yachting apparel, jewelry and other custom nautical/coastal inspired products. Skipjack is the official “Schooner Virginia” Ship’s Store offering their full line of apparel and accessories. One High Street (facing the riverfront) at High Street Landing.
Briefly describe your typical client/customer.
Are those seeking authentic nautical antiques, marine art, nautical furnishings, accessories and decor for their nautical/coastal home and coastal lifestyle. Our other main stream customer are collectors of fine nautical antiques, original marine art and other maritime artisan-craftsman inspired by seafaring traditions. We also work closely with architects, interior designers and occasionally museums seeking exceptional nautical items for their design projects and displays.
What is one thing most people do not know about your business that would surprise him/her?
That we are considered by well informed and international customers to be one of the finest (if not the best) nautical store in the world and we’re located right here in Hampton Roads!
What do you enjoy most about doing business in your district/community?
Olde Towne is really a small town located within the midst of larger cities. The typical merchant that Olde Towne attracts are the more unique boutiques, antique shops and art galleries. Olde Towne has also become one of Hampton Roads best dining destinations with a fine variety of chef or family owned restaurants. There are no chain stores or restaurants here in our Olde Towne/Downtown area. We fit in well.
What do you enjoy most about doing business in Hampton Roads? That Hampton Roads has so much to offer both to it’s residents and visitors alike.
What challenges do you face as a business owner?
Though Olde Towne Portsmouth is a great place to live and have a business, it is hard to attract people to our quaint historic seaport and thus the number of potential consumers is extremely low compared to other Hampton Roads market areas and beyond.
What’s in store for your business in the future?
More diverse collection of local craftsman’s work and other high quality nautical inspired products designed and produced exclusively for Skipjack. A larger international presence through our web-store and web-based marketing. We are also building a bigger presence and client base with the yachtsman traveling the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway each year and pass by our riverfront showroom every spring, summer and fall. We also plan to start leasing our Foyer Gallery for catered private functions and events.
What could local government do to help small business owners in your business district (besides lower taxes)?
Bring back a visitors bureau focused on promoting tourism and selling our quaint historic seaport to those outside our region. Better regional and national marketing and advertising.
What is one thing your business district needs? In my opinion to be managed more like Williamsburg’s Merchant Square. A management team that will continue to restore what was once one of Hampton Roads best downtown’s. That will seek to attract new small businesses, to fill our downtown’s empty storefronts with viable stores that fit our historic integrity and arts district and attract new customers to Hampton Roads “best kept secret”.
Is there anything else you’d like to add? David Cartier has done an exemplary job marketing Olde Towne’s small businesses and events with his Virginian Pilot blog “A New Day in Olde Towne.” I point this out because he has given so much as a volunteer to help promote our quaint historic seaport throughout the years, it’s people, places and events. He is an example of what the city should be doing instead of relying on a handful of volunteers to do their work for them.I agree that we should all do our part and by working together build a better place to live, do business and enjoy. Now it’s time for the city to do it’s part!
Also, most of the small businesses that have invested in the Olde Towne/downtown district have the same vision for what our historic seaport could and should be. We are constantly compared with Charleston, SC, Savannah, GA. Key West and Saint Augustine, Fl. and closer to home Alexandria Virginia’s Old Towne and Annapolis, Md. These are fantastic port cities to be compared with. Our goal and what we are striving to become is to be the next great seaport and tourist destination. This would be another asset and major attraction for visitors to Hampton Roads.
