Lifestyle Business: Retail Kayaks, Canoes & Paddleboards – Bristol IN

SOLD – Lifestyle business opportunity! Own a profitable, outdoor lifestyle business with a 39-year history of success and growth. This business can support an individual or couple, or it can be operated as a semi-passive investment with a manager. If you love the outdoors this business can provide a great income with significant areas to grow profitability for that aspiring entrepreneur.

Fluid Fun Paddlesports is a specialty retail shop selling kayaks, canoes, paddles, life jackets, canoe/kayak trailers and vehicle rack systems, and related accessories. This is a fun, active and dynamic industry with a diverse customer base, suppliers with whom personal relationships exist, and products that help people live active and healthy outdoor lifestyles.

Listing ID:

ABB-22045301-95

Location:

Bristol, Indiana

Type of Business:

Specialty Retail – Outdoor Sporting Goods

Asking Price:

$545,000

Plus Inventory

(Real estate included – Business can be sold separately)

Gross Revenue:

$905,247

Cash Flow:

$214,689

Inventory:

Plus Inventory:

varies $100,000 – $200,000

FF&E:

$50,000

Included

Established:

1983

Employees:

1 FT / 5 PT (Owner works PT)

Facilities:

The business is situated on 1.224 acre parcel of land that has ~125’’ of river frontage on the St. Joe River. The property includes a 1,974sf home and 500sf retail shop on site. This cozy home includes two bedrooms, a full bath, kitchen with eating area, living room, and a river-view sunroom leading to a riverside deck. The property amenities also include a storage barn, two utility sheds, a paved driveway, and privacy fencing.

Real Estate / Lease Terms:

Included in the asking price, more details are available in the offering package.

Growth Opportunity:

There are a number of opportunities that exist for business growth. Marketing has been minimal and certainly represents an area of significant growth potential. Current marketing efforts include a website with decent functionality, occasional Facebook posts, one or two printed postcards per season to drive special events like the spring grand opening and perhaps a seasonal sale, and several informational emails per year.

The addition of rentals could significantly increase gross sales, margin and overall profitability. A steady demand exists in the area for day and weekend rentals. Kayaks allocated for rentals can eventually be sold as ‘used’ or ‘demo’ units, and often are sold at or above wholesale cost, so the same kayak that provides rental income will also provide positive margin at the time of the sale.

Competition:

Kayak and canoe specialty shops are limited and regional, and most brands have protected territories of at least 40-mile radii, so direct competition is minimal. There were two regional shops that closed (due to retirement) in 2020 including one in Kalamazoo, MI and one north of Toledo, OH. Fluid Fun has experienced increased sales from customers of further distances from Bristol, IN. On-line sales of kayaks do exist, but there will always be shipping logistics challenges for products of the size of kayaks and canoes, single-boat shipping damages are commonplace, and most consumers hesitate to purchase a boat without putting their own eyes and hands on it.

Support & Training:

The seller will provide a minimum of one month’s training and support included as part of the business sale and additional advice over time to the buyer to facilitate a successful transition and to help the buyer navigate the seasonality of the business.

Reason for Selling:

Seller is transitioning to retirement.

Broker Contact:

E. Brad Scoffin – Advanced Business Brokers

Direct: 269-903-8143

Fax: 248-564-5259

Email: Brad@ABB-BusinessBrokers.com

For more information, fill out the form below:

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The broker has made no investigation of the above information, prospective buyers must accept all due diligence responsibility. Above information is subject to change and/or correction and should not be considered binding.