Province Rebuilding a Working Waterfront in Lunenburg
A Lunenburg marine supply and retail store will re-open under new owners but with the same management.
North Sails Atlantic has purchased the Scotia Trawlers' Yacht Shop building at 280 Montague St., with a land lease from the province through the Lunenburg Waterfront Association and Waterfront Development Corporation Limited. This is the first deal to be signed that aligns with the vision of rebuilding a working waterfront in Lunenburg.
"This agreement with North Sails is an important step towards revitalizing Lunenburg's working waterfront," said Kerry Morash Minister of Economic Development. "The marine industry along the Lunenburg waterfront is a huge part of the history and traditions of this UNESCO world heritage site."
North Sails Atlantic will continue to meet the needs of boaters, following the example of its predecssor, the Yacht Shop, the oldest marine retail store in Atlantic Canada. North Sails Atlantic will sell marine hardware and supplies, expanding its sail making and rigging products and services.
"Lunenburg Chandlery & Yacht Shop is an expansion of our marine retail business," said Sandy MacMillan, president, North Sails Atlantic. "Our company shares the vision that Lunenburg can become a world destination for commercial and recreational marine services, our goal is to be a key player in bringing this market to the community."
North Sails Atlantic has hired Susie MacDonald, the former manager of The Yacht Shop, who has met the needs of marine customers for more than 30 years.
The province is selling the government-owned buildings managed by the Lunenburg Waterfront Association at fair market value and leasing the land on which the buildings sit.
"It is important to see the continuation of a marine supply store on the waterfront," said Gerry Rolfsen, a board member of Lunenburg Waterfront Association and a member of the steering committee. "North Sails Atlantic has an extensive knowledge of and contacts in the marine and yachting industries, making them an ideal tenant to acquire and operate this shop."
In August 2005, the province purchased a block of 17 waterfront properties in the town of Lunenburg in order to preserve 22 buildings and ensure the continuation of a working waterfront in Lunenburg.
North Sails Atlantic Ltd. is a Nova Scotia-based marine manufacturing and distribution company. In the past 25 years the company has expanded to market marine products and services. Clients range from pleasure and racing boats like the Laser to several hundred foot sailing vessels, including Bluenose II. Founded in 1978 as Sable Sailmakers, by three of Canada's World champion sailors, the company is incorporated and wholly owned in Nova Scotia.
Sandy MacMillan, president of North Sails Atlantic, was a member of the Canadian Olympic sailing team in 1976, 1988 and 1992. Two world championships as well as victories in national and international regattas, earned Sandy a place in Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.
The Waterfront Development Corporation Limited is a provincial Crown corporation that has been planning, co-ordinating, promoting and developing properties, events and activities on designated waterfronts around Halifax Harbour for the last 30 years. On an interim basis, Waterfront Development Corporation Limited, in co-operation with the Lunenburg Waterfront Association, is managing the waterfront properties in Lunenburg.