The owners and staff of Socks Marina on Barbee Lake were joined by several members of two area chambers of commerce to cut the ribbon on the marina’s second location, which opened nine weeks earlier. Shown are the participants in the Wednesday, Oct. 6, celebration. In front, from left, Elisa Guy, board member, North Webster Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce; Dino Coverstone, co-owner, Socks Marina; Melissa Coverstone; Ryan Coverstone, co-owner, Socks Marina; Jeannie Coverstone, co-owner, Socks Marina; Emily Shipley, vice president, NWTTCC; Karilyn Metcalf, board member, NWTTCC; Karen White, secretary, NWTTCC; and Tammy Waliczek, board member, NWTTCC.
In the second row are Renea Salyer, executive director, Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce; Dan Buchman, NWTTCC ambassador; Mason Slabaugh, Tippecanoe Lake Country Club and Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce ambassador; Adam Kern, tech, Socks Marina; Scott Biesemeyer, head shop tech; and Jason Bogart, service writer. In the third row are Danny Leffers, tech; and Derik Green, service manager. Photo by Ray Balogh.

By Ray Balogh
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — A small throng of members from two area chambers of commerce joined the owners and staff of Socks Marina to celebrate the ribbon cutting for the business’s second Kosciusko County location.

The group assembled after business hours Wednesday, Oct. 6, at the new Socks Marina, located on Barbee Lake at 314 EMS B61 Ln, Warsaw, for the brief ceremony.

The Coverstones pose for a family photo before the ribbon cutting of Socks Marina on Barbee Lake. In front, from left, are Ryan and his wife, Melissa. In the second row are Ryan’s parents, Dino and Jeannie. Photo by Ray Balogh.

Owners Ryan Coverstone and his parents, Dino and Jeannie, purchased the going concern in August from one of Dino’s high school classmates. “We’ve known him forever,” said Ryan, “and it was a good deal for both of us.”

Socks Marina employs seven full-time staff for both locations, the other situated on Webster Lake.

This is actually the second go-around for the Coverstones. The family started Socks Marina in 1960 and owned the Webster Lake location through the early 1980s, when they sold the enterprise. “We bought it back in 2008,” said Ryan.

“Ribbon cuttings are important because they let with community know when something new is happening and allow us to support our chamber members,” said Tammy Waliczek, board member for the North Webster Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce.

“It brings more commerce to the community and keeps this area thriving to provide service to the residents,” added NWTTCC board secretary Karen White.

Renea Salyer, executive director of Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce, drove down from Syracuse to participate in the ceremony.

Dino Coverstone, center, discusses an order with head shop tech Scott Biesemeyer, left, and service writer Jason Bogart at the service counter of Socks Marina. Photo by Ray Balogh.

Socks Marina has been a member of her chamber for the past two years. “It’s great for a business to grow and inspire others,” she said. “We are here to support them.”

Ryan expressed his gratitude, not only for the attendance at the ribbon cutting, but also for his skilled and dedicated staff and for the community response to the new opening.

“It has been a lot of fun the last nine weeks,” he said. “Since taking over here, the reception has been great from people in the area, both present customers and new customers alike.”

Socks Marina offers a full line of boat and accessory sales, and service including storage, repair and maintenance.

Socks Marina’s Webster Lake location is 60 EMS W17 Ln.

Both locations are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. The Webster Lake marina is also open regular hours on Mondays.

For more information, call (574) 834-2894 (Webster Lake) or (574) 834-2595 (Barbee Lake) or visit www.socksmarina.com.