By Andrea Harwood
After 30 years in business, Fish307.com is relocating to a larger facility in Lake George.
The store is moving to 814 Goggins Road in Lake George, the old location of the Adirondack Mountain Club right off Northway Exit 21.
Jeff Goldberg, owner and operator, said the company has simply outgrown the space they are currently in, located at 6 Route 149 at the end of the Million Dollar Mile near the outlets. As the brick-and-mortar business has grown and the online ecommerce site has expanded, the space is no longer large enough.
“I didn’t have any intention of moving. In fact, I really want to retire. My people came to me and said, ‘Look, this building is for sale’. It was the perfect location and a nice building. So I said, ‘Well, I guess I’m not gonna retire any time soon’,” he said.
The building on Goggins Road is being renovated, with ceilings removed and raised, walls removed, bathrooms being brought up to ADA compliance and space in general being opened up. The back wall was moved 16 feet into the warehouse, creating a 3,500-square-foot showroom. Because the building is on 4.5 acres, Fish307.com can expand in the future without having to move again.
Goldberg anticipates being able to open doors for business by the end of September. The original location is still open and operating.
“I’m looking forward to having an open showroom and a large warehouse that will allow us to do the shipping and receiving necessary to keep up with our online sales in a smooth manner,” said Goldberg. “It’s going to smooth out the operations a lot. And it will allow our retail customers to see all of our merchandise out. Right now, 25 percent of our merchandise isn’t even on the showroom floor because we simply don’t have space.”
Winter is a busy season for Fish307.com, even more so than summer. Ice fishing is a popular winter sport in the Adirondacks.
“We have the most beautiful resource in the world right here at our doorstep—Lake George,” said Goldberg. “All of those people who live here don’t get to use it during the summer. Too many tourists, too much traffic, too expensive. So during the winter, all the locals use this beautiful place that we have, all throughout the Adirondacks.”
Goldberg’s vision is to expand again in several years, building another larger warehouse on the property and opening up the existing building completely as a showroom.
Fish307.com was started in 1992 in Bolton Landing. They will celebrate their 31st year in business in January. The business started as a bait and tackle shop, but quickly became involved in downriggers, sales, repair and equipment.
The name originated from the 800 number chosen for the business, 800-3474(FISH)307.
Fish307.com can be reached locally at 518-798-9203 and at www.Fish307.com.