Will Miss Black Creek Outfitters

[jaxlongtimer]

Sad to see this store close. 

Service was great and they were the only authorized dealer in NE Florida for many lines.  They also did a great job keeping buyer histories.  I once called 10 or more years after a purchase for replacement parts (manufacturer would only sell through dealers by the way) and they had my records in their system still and told me exactly what I would need). 

Wonder where their customers will go next.  Kind of surprised they didn't sell the business (separate from the real estate) for the name and goodwill associated with it so someone could reestablish elsewhere in town.  They said they had their best 2 years since COVID but I guess they didn't make enough to make it worthwhile to turn down selling the building and not rebuilding.  Too bad.

Nice tribute by Mark Woods:

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/columns/mark-woods/2022/02/02/sorry-to-see-jacksonville-outdoors-store-black-creek-outfitters-go/9232058002/

A couple of other articles:

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/black-creek-outfitters-closing-after-25-years-near-town-center

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/business/2022/01/31/jacksonvilles-black-creek-outfitters-closing-after-29-years/9283148002/

[Florida Power And Light]

I patronized the company way back when it was based in Orange Park.
I bought one of the first kayaks seen in the area, back when a kayak was a strange " Deliverance " novelty.
The Butler family, Joe Sr. And then the son.
And the move to Towne Center, an idyllic lake front location.
Inevitably, " Change!"...... a gas station next door.
Karma.
The shoreline transformation  produced a psychological impact.
And then a subtle decline in broad, appealing product lines. Certain competition and alternatives. It has been some time since I spent any real money there, even after a few visits.
Selling the place for a few million seems plausible.
If Joe Butler Sr. Is still alive, he and family are probably happy in North Carolina.