Business on the Move: Kodiak Marine Supply

Brianna Gibbs/KMXT

It’s time now for the third installment of KMXT’s five-part series: Business on the Move. Each day this week KMXT will feature a local business that is changing things up in 2013.

Since 1985, Kodiak Marine Supply has provided Kodiak’s maritime and outdoor enthusiasts gear and supplies from its storefront location on Shelikof Drive. That won’t change in 2013, but the business has already expanded to a second location on Shelikof, and plans to make the complete move down the street sometime this year.

Debra Davis is the manager of KMS and said the decision to expand came as the current store started to burst at the seams. Not literally, but she said the business was no longer able to carry all of the merchandise they wanted it to. She said the store is still open at the old location, but now a second operation has opened up in the old brewery, next to Napa Auto Parts. She said the new location is carrying some of the bigger items that couldn’t fit in the old building.

—          (Kodiak Marine 1                  :09       “We’ve got marine batteries, you  … space here at 412.”)

Davis said having two locations may be confusing, but they tried to separate the merchandise in a logical way so people looking for something in particular won’t have to visit both stores.

—          (Kodiak Marine 2                  :11                   “If you are looking for any … hardware is at 336.”)

 She said the hope is to eventually transfer the entire business over to the 336 address on Shelikof Street. Like many businesses in town, Napa Auto Parts will also be making a move this year, and Davis said KMS hopes to expand into Napa’s space when it moves.

—          (Kodiak Marine 3                  :17                   “We should be under one roof … and boat supplies.”)

 Davis said she isn’t sure if the company plans on keeping the 412 location after the store fully moves. She said they do plan on having a grand reopening of Kodiak Marine Supply at the new location during this year’s ComFish, which will be held in April.

This week KMXT has taken you to four local businesses that are either opening for the first time, or changing locations in 2013. Tune in tomorrow for the final installation of the five-part series, Business on the Move.