DarkSkies
04-19-2009, 02:52 PM
I wanted to preface this spotlight by saying that I got a chance to meet Stan Hentschel. owner of Rocky Point Fishing Stop, last year when I started reporting on the Shoreham Beach access issues. To me, he seemed a soft-spoken and reasonable guy.
Then they closed Shoreham Beach down and his business suffered greatly. It suffered so much that he had to dip into his retirement savings. Here's a retired guy dipping into his retirement money, the money he needs to sustain him for the rest of his life, and he's doing it anyway.
Why bother, you might ask? Why not just close up shop, board up the windows, and move to Florida???
Answer: Because that's not the kind of guy Stan is! He has roots in Long Island, and he's been up there, and running that shop, for over 33 years.
So instead of lying down and quitting, Stan went to the meetings, endured the empty promises, and ordered tackle and supplies for the 2008 season, having a glimmer of hope that the town would open that beach to fishermen and he could salvage what was left of 2008.
2008 came and left, with no revenue for Stan. http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/images/icons/icon9.gif Meanwhile, he had to pay insurance, lighting, heat, and water for a shop that barely had any revenues for 2008. He has 4 or 5 loyal employees that have been with him for years. He could have laid them off and told them too bad, tough break, but Stan's not that kind of guy.
So he cut the shop's hours, reducing his expenses, and kept these employees on the payroll because of their years of loyal service. He didn't have the heart to let them go, so he just sucked it up, and kept paying out money even though he had no appreciable revenue coming in.
Most men would have been angry over this, I know it would get me angry and frustrated.:burn:
When I talked to Stan today, I detected none of the bitterness that one would expect from someone who got shafted like this. He's tough, and passionate about access and his opinions, but not bitter. Stan, you're a better man than I, I salute your sense of serenity. :thumbsup:
Stan just wants to get on with his life, and start selling bait, tackle, and supplies to the fishermen again, and keep busy in his retirement.
I think Stan's the kind of guy who wouldn't enjoy retirement sitting around doing nothing, I think he HAS to keep busy. :D
At least this year, thanks to the new ideas and focus of Mr Lesko and the coordination of the other fishing groups, he will have something to look forward to.
Life is full of sad stories. I know people who are dying right now who would gladly trade places with Stan and the tough times he has faced. Still, he has had a hard 2 years. If anyone is going fishing in that general area, maybe you could think about stopping in Stan's shop and picking up and item or 2?
I know he would be most grateful for your business. Tell all your friends he's open again, and maybe some of them will stop by too.
Life is harsh sometimes. Not every tackle shop or business will make it, it's a jungle out there.
I do know that when we lose one small tackle or bait shop, that's probably a shop that will never be replaced due to internet competition and the big box fishing retailers out there.
Stop by and say "Hi!" :HappyWave: to Stan, you'll be glad ya did!!
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/images/misc/progress.gif
Then they closed Shoreham Beach down and his business suffered greatly. It suffered so much that he had to dip into his retirement savings. Here's a retired guy dipping into his retirement money, the money he needs to sustain him for the rest of his life, and he's doing it anyway.
Why bother, you might ask? Why not just close up shop, board up the windows, and move to Florida???
Answer: Because that's not the kind of guy Stan is! He has roots in Long Island, and he's been up there, and running that shop, for over 33 years.
So instead of lying down and quitting, Stan went to the meetings, endured the empty promises, and ordered tackle and supplies for the 2008 season, having a glimmer of hope that the town would open that beach to fishermen and he could salvage what was left of 2008.
2008 came and left, with no revenue for Stan. http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/images/icons/icon9.gif Meanwhile, he had to pay insurance, lighting, heat, and water for a shop that barely had any revenues for 2008. He has 4 or 5 loyal employees that have been with him for years. He could have laid them off and told them too bad, tough break, but Stan's not that kind of guy.
So he cut the shop's hours, reducing his expenses, and kept these employees on the payroll because of their years of loyal service. He didn't have the heart to let them go, so he just sucked it up, and kept paying out money even though he had no appreciable revenue coming in.
Most men would have been angry over this, I know it would get me angry and frustrated.:burn:
When I talked to Stan today, I detected none of the bitterness that one would expect from someone who got shafted like this. He's tough, and passionate about access and his opinions, but not bitter. Stan, you're a better man than I, I salute your sense of serenity. :thumbsup:
Stan just wants to get on with his life, and start selling bait, tackle, and supplies to the fishermen again, and keep busy in his retirement.
I think Stan's the kind of guy who wouldn't enjoy retirement sitting around doing nothing, I think he HAS to keep busy. :D
At least this year, thanks to the new ideas and focus of Mr Lesko and the coordination of the other fishing groups, he will have something to look forward to.
Life is full of sad stories. I know people who are dying right now who would gladly trade places with Stan and the tough times he has faced. Still, he has had a hard 2 years. If anyone is going fishing in that general area, maybe you could think about stopping in Stan's shop and picking up and item or 2?
I know he would be most grateful for your business. Tell all your friends he's open again, and maybe some of them will stop by too.
Life is harsh sometimes. Not every tackle shop or business will make it, it's a jungle out there.
I do know that when we lose one small tackle or bait shop, that's probably a shop that will never be replaced due to internet competition and the big box fishing retailers out there.
Stop by and say "Hi!" :HappyWave: to Stan, you'll be glad ya did!!
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/images/misc/progress.gif