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I just found out that Tropicland Marina in Dedham has closed for good.
I frequent that place throughout the year and didn't know they were not doing so well. They will be missed, as they were the only boat/bait/tackle/repair shop in the area. I know Decathalon Sports store has tackle, but there's something to be said for the personal touch, and the knowledgable staff.
My list of tackle/bait shops is getting shorter, and I NEED to fish.
Best of luck to the staff, and I wish them well.

I believe it was Charley Soares in last week's "Fisherman" mag that announced this. He had called for the weekly report and was told they were filing for bankruptcy and closing doors for good.

I work in Canton and this shop was convenient during lunch breaks. Too bad....

I bought my very first reel (a Penn, forget which) with my own paper route money when I was young, about 11 or 12.

Sad to hear...

Fishing shops up this way have such a short season... it is hard to justify. Compound that with mega-stores and internet...it is tough.

That is just a start.
with in the 2 years there will most likely be only 3-4 shops around the canal down from 9.

Mikecc from what I saw at the show your gonna be in business for a long time.
We just lost a small shop in Dartmouth, Buzzards Bay Tackle, closed for good a couple of weeks ago.

The owners of Tropicland own a few other boat dealers/marinas!
That place could not have been a priority for them!!!

Mikecc from what I saw at the show your gonna be in business for a long time.
We just lost a small shop in Dartmouth, Buzzards Bay Tackle, closed for good a couple of weeks ago.



I talked to Jim (the owner), he's a good friend of mine and he said he's not sure if the new guys who bought the store are going to open it back up as a bait store or if it will be used for clothing. If not then it's back to Uncle Ken's on Dartmouth Street or from Cuttyhunk.

A shame, a real shame! Well Uncle Ken bought all of his inventory so I'm sure he's going to have one heck of a spring sale, might be worth checking out.

I heard Budds Bait is closed now too.

Bud's last day is the April 14th

iv been going to tropicland since i was ...well... born :(
sad to see it go :(

With all of the mega stores out there it is close to impossible to compete.
Would anyone on this board be interested in starting or joining an organization that woudl support, and encourage others to support small business?
I am working on a plan to start something. I am a small business person, Real estate, and I am so very concerned about the Big boys. Large corps are s#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&g the life out of the little guy. Consumers are short sighted, and all to often think that using these companies, be it walmart, home depot, or coldwell banker, that they are saving money or using the only game in town.
I think that this is foolish, as a society we are going to have no choices as consumers in a few short years if this continues. We need to see past saving a dollar in the short term so that we can have competition, and choice down the road.
Anyone? Maybe we cna start right here? A section, like the classifieds where we could post what we do fo a living? Or maybe we put it in our member information, and people who are interested can search the occupations to find someone they can work with?
Down with the depot,
JC

I knew them Guys real well. They actually went bankrupt over night. I hear the big boats is what did them in. My brother had a motor there and luckly Brian was nice enough to call him and have him pick it up before they closed for good. My wishes go out to Larry and the crew and there dad herb in FL.

I need to open a tackle shop.

Larry's a great guy. I hope things turn around for him.

I did quite a bit of business with them when I worked in Westwood and too be honest it was not run well from a willingness to deal with the customer and knowledge of some of thier products but as many said you hate to lose the only game in town. Walmart will put everyone of these places out eventually. Losing North River B&T last year really pissed me off because they were great. I'm surprised the Falmouth area has sustained so many since Walmart went it especially since none of them are all that great

People say they are going to support local businesses, but the reality is that most consumers, when it comes right down to it, are going to patronize the store with the better price.
Thats how Wally World got to be #1....That and locking the doors on the third shift until the shelves were stocked...
New Englanders are among the most frugal people you'll find. If anyone is going to take the better price, its us. Many locals - particularly those who work traditional blue collar jobs - harbor no great love for their local merchants.

Where can I buy Shucked Clams for Bait? I am looking whole Clams!!