WEST MARINE FLAGSHIP STORE IN VIRGINIA BEACH AND NEWPORT BEACH

Four-Day Series of Events Kicks Off September 12 “Cruising for a Cause” Charity Night to Assist Local Marine Non-Profits

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (August 8, 2013) – West Marine (Nasdaq:WMAR), the nation’s largest specialty retailer of boating supplies and accessories, will open its first Virginia flagship store in Virginia Beach with a long weekend of special events on September 12 to 15.  The store will be in the Loehmann’s Plaza Shopping Center at 4000 Virginia Beach Boulevard in Virginia Beach, just east of Pembroke.

The grand opening celebration begins on September 12 at 8 a.m. with free t-shirts for the first 100 guests, plus giveaways and door-buster deals throughout the weekend.  On Thursday evening from 6:00-9:00 p.m., West Marine will host “Cruising for a Cause” Charity Night to support local marine-based non-profits, including the BoatU.S. Foundation, Norfolk Anglers, Catching for the Kids, Virginia Beach Anglers Club, Wish-A-Fish Foundation and Great Bridge Fisherman’s Association.

The new 23,000 square foot flagship store is larger than three current West Marine locations in Norfolk and Virginia Beach combined.  “Here in Hampton Roads and across the country we are consolidating our smaller stores into large flagship stores to provide a wider selection of boating, fishing, paddling and watersports gear, apparel, footwear and accessories,” says Jim Abel, Regional Vice President for West Marine. “For instance, we will have 19,000 products in this new store versus 8,000 in each of the locations that are closing.  Our Customers are responding positively to these larger stores where they can get everything they need for a great day out on the water in one location.

The Loehmann’s Plaza store will have nearly 100 marine electronics on display to touch and test. There will be an engine parts counter staffed by specialists, a great assortment of watersports products, including stand-up paddleboards, plus footwear and casual and technical apparel. A new “Bait Shack” will boast a broad selection of fishing gear, specifically selected for the Hampton Roads area.

Store Manager Annette Renfro is excited to be leading a staff of 34 with more than 400 years of collective on-the-water experience. “This new store will have everything a boater, angler or watersports enthusiast wants and needs. But, if we don’t have a product you want, let us know and we’ll get it for you. Customer satisfaction is our number one goal.” says Renfro. “I hope all of our current customers and others who have never been to West Marine will come out for the grand opening events to see what we have to offer and help our local non-profit causes.”

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WEST MARINE SEEKS MARINE-BASED CHARITIES TO BE BENEFICIARIES AT THE GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION OF ITS NEW NEWPORT BEACH FLAGSHIP STORE

 “Cruising for a Cause Charity Night” Seeks Marine-Based Non-Profits In the Newport Beach Boating, Sailing, Fishing and Environmental Communities 

West Marine announces their search for Newport Beach marine-based non-profits to be the beneficiaries of the “Cruising for a Cause” charity night set for Thursday, October 3, 2013 from 6 to 9 p.m. “Cruising for a Cause” will take during West Marine’s Grand Opening celebration of its flagship store at 3433 Via Lido, Newport Beach. In keeping with the company’s mission of conserving marine habitats and supporting local boating non-profits across the country—West Marine is eager to work with Newport Beach-area charities that serve the local boating, fishing, sailing and marine environmental community.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from ticket sales to the “Cruising for a Cause” event go to the local charities.  West Marine holds similar events around the country that help charities as varied as local youth boating programs, beach clean-ups, and organizations that preserve local marine life among others.

For the $10 ticket “Cruising for a Cause” attendees will receive food, beverages and entertainment provided by West Marine.  For full details on how to apply to participate in “Cruising for a Cause” send an inquiry via e-mail to grantsandsponsorships@westmarine.com.