SkipperBud's expansion could be a boost for Antioch's west side
A familiar name in the boating industry has big plans for facilities and property it acquired last year on Lake Marie in Antioch.
SkipperBud's, which bought a 208-slip marina and opened last fall on Sequoit Harbor fronting Route 173, wants to annex property it owns that isn't within the village to create a unified piece for development.
"We have a proposal to build a new showroom and a couple of (boat) storage buildings and have land for future development along Route 173," said Mark Ellerbrock, vice president of the privately held company.
"It's speculative. We're looking to get it annexed and rezoned and go out to market," he said.
The requests and a concept plan for the site will be discussed during a combined session of the village's planning commission and zoning board at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, at village hall, 874 Main St.
"They're trying to value their investment and make sure what they're doing makes sense," Mayor Larry Hanson said.
SkipperBud's operated since 1988 at what is now a village park in Fox Lake before moving to Winthrop Harbor. In 1995, the company acquired the former Chicago Sea Ray store - with a sign featuring a full size boat on a pole - on routes 12 and 120 in Lakemoor.
The company was founded in 1959 and has 20 locations in Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio, according to Ellerbrock, with affiliates in California and Arizona.
"Our company is growing. The market is rebounding. We do like the location in Antioch, it gives us access to the water," he said.
Ellerbrock said there is no plan to close the Lakemoor store, which is on a prime corner in an area poised for development to include a Woodman's Food Market across Route 12.
"We see a lot of people getting into boating as a family pastime (and) the Chain 'O Lakes is certainly a vacation spot that's close to home," he said.
Antioch is on the northern edge of the chain but benefits from visitors and sales, Hanson said.
"We're excited from the standpoint SkipperBud's is one of the largest boat dealers in the U.S. For us, that equates to sales tax," he said.
"I think this is a very big thing for Antioch because the focus for a long time has been east of (Route) 83. If we can get some action west of (Route 59), that would be tremendous."
Ellerbrock said the development can help revitalize the west side of town. The company hopes to break ground this summer but the retail area to the west of the showroom along Route 173 would be phased in, Ellerbrock said.