With winter on its way out, and spring and summer on its way in, Jan’s Sport Shop in Goodrich is the perfect place to start the warm weather season off.
Owner Brad Hempton is proud to have been at the location since 1976 and in the area since 1968. His father started the business and named it after his mother.
Jan’s Sport Shop will make some changes this year to their product line. They will not sell Yamaha or Polaris ATVs or snowmobiles anymore, but will still sell all other products.
‘We are primarily focusing on marine and fishing products now,? said Hempton. ‘The winter just hasn’t been what we expected the past couple of years. It’s better for our business if we focus on what we sell the most of.?
The store will have a beautiful 8,000-square-foot showroom to display more than 40 fishing boats and pontoons.
Hempton’s sister, Janelle Zirnhelt, also works there as manager and has been since she graduated from Michigan State University in 1982.
Jan’s Sport Shop is able to do excellent business with help from their backbone of 20 employees and seven certified mechanics that have been there for over 20 years.
‘We started on a shoestring budget and worked our way up from there. We are doing 10 percent better than last year, too, which is great considering what the economy has been through,? said Hempton.
The service department at Jan’s is known as one of the best in the state.
‘If you bring your boat in to us before the weekend, we pretty much guarantee that you’ll get it back in time to enjoy the weekend on your boat.?
In addition to the marine side of the business, Jan’s caters to bass and walleye sportsmen.
‘We have a group of people called Team Jan’s that participates in many different level competitions of fishing. They have won many awards and represent us at different events.?
Hempton does much of his advertising and ordering online and hopes to have the availability of doing just about everything through the website.
‘It just makes it easier for the people who don’t want to travel here, or they’re just busy. This way you can make purchases or look up product information too.?
Jan’s Sport Shop is located at 7285 State Road (M-15) north of the village of Goodrich. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m.to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Telephone is (810) 636-2241 or (800) 598-PLAY.Web site is www.janssports.com.