New Harbison store will be mega-shop for boating, fishing equipment

March 17 may be lucky for Midlands residents who enjoy boating and fishing.

That’s when West Marine will open one of its new, larger prototype store at 142 Harbison Blvd. in Columbiana Station. A “waterlife outfitter,” the new West Marine store will boast 9,000 square feet of equipment needed for life on the water.

Merchandise highlights in the store will include:

▪ Fishing: All variety of gear in the indoor Bait Shack

▪ Apparel: Men’s and women’s shorts, shoes, sunglasses, T-shirts, safety gear and more

▪ Engine parts: Equipped to handle outboard and inboard motors

▪ Stand-up paddleboards/kayaks: An array of options for paddling

▪ Electronics: Outdoor electronics gear

The grand opening is at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 17, and will include prizes, free food and giveaways as well as kids activities. The first 100 customers who enter the doors will receive a free West Marine gift card valued from $5 to $100. Guests can also enter for a chance to win a $500 gift card.

Store manager Gregory Gisler and his staff of nearly 20 associates have more than 285 years of combined boating, fishing, sailing, cruising and paddling experience.

“My crew plans to be a friendly source of information and know-how for both locals and visitors to our beautiful city,” Gisler says. “Our own Lake Murray is home to 500 miles of shoreline, and by doubling our floorspace we can triple the assortment for paddling, fishing, electronics, and clothing.”

For more information about West Marine’s upcoming Columbia grand opening celebration, visit westmarinecolumbia.eventbrite.com.

This story was originally published February 28, 2018 at 12:06 PM with the headline "New Harbison store will be mega-shop for boating, fishing equipment."