OLD LYME, Conn. — With weather woes largely behind them, Black Hall Outfitters, an all-things aquatic store, will hopefully get a boost from the Fourth of July holiday.
Like so many shoreline and riverside businesses in Connecticut, 2023’s run of weekend summer rainstorms took a financial toll on places like Black Hall, a marina that also rents and sells canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards.
“Compared to last summer where I think it rained every weekend, so far this year the weather has been great and this weekend is supposed to be amazing,” said Gene Chmiel, the owner of Black Hall.
Black Hall Outfitters has been around for 25 years in Old Lyme and has a seven-year-old location in Westbrook. Both locations should see a rush of customers all week long.
Chmiel said the Fourth of July week is “our Super Bowl Week… it should be really good.”
Chmiel noted that he has been working with the Connecticut Department of Tourism (CT Visit) for the past decade, which has helped attract more customers.
“Partnering with them has been great for us because we have become a destination,” said Chmiel. “(We see visitors) from Manhattan, Boston, Rhode Island, Washington D.C., Vermont – it’s pretty cool the mix of people we get.”
To learn more about Black Hall Outfitters and its boat rental programs and camps, click here.
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