Willsboro Outdoor World Opens

Pat McCauliffe, who traveled from Plattsburgh to purchase fishing equipment, discusses fishing lures with Willsboro Outdoor World proprietor Kristen Hotaling. (Credit: Alvin Reiner)

A new outdoor recreation shop has opened earlier this month. It’s located in neighboring Willsboro, NY, and it is certainly close enough for Essex residents and vacationers to take advantage of!

Willsboro Outdoor World is owned by recent college-graduate Kristin Hotaling. A sporting goods store wasn’t Hotaling’s first option for to use her business degree for, but she realized that this was something the community needed and will be a benefit to other area businesses as well.

“It is good for the fishermen that are coming in because they can buy their products here and they will then stay here in Willsboro to fish instead of traveling to Plattsburgh or Port Henry to buy their products and staying in those areas instead of coming back,” she said. “That will help the local businesses and restaurants because they will be looking to eat here and stay here after a day of fishing.” (Denpubs)

With consulting advice from her father, who once owned a bait and tackle shop (Champlain Angler Sports) in the same location and still runs Trolling Tina Charters, Hotaling is determined that her new shop will be the premier live bait and tackle shop in this part of the Lake Champlain Valley region. The shop will also offer supplies and resources for hunters, hikers, and campers.

Willsboro Outdoor World, Willsboro, NY (Credit: Kristin Hotaling)

Hotaling has been working with the Rotary Club as well as Lake Champlain International (LCI) to assist in their tournaments as well as [being] an official weighing station (Press Republican).

This small shop may not house every possible recreational device, but its cozy quarters gives the business several advantages, including the chance for exemplary personal service.

“We’re small enough to find out what people want and order for them,” Hotaling explained, […] “The goal is to assist Willsboro and the surrounding region to be a destination point for outdoorsmen and anglers of every type.” (Press Republican)

Hotaling has fished Lake Champlain all of her life, and with that experience and the entrepreneur-gene running in her family she plans to succeed.

“I know the area and I know fishing, so this is my passion and I plan to run this business for the fishermen and outdoorsmen who have my same passion,” Hotaling said. (Press Republican)

Visit Willsboro Outdoor World

Willsboro Outdoor World is located on the corner of Route 22 and Bay Lane in Willsboro, NY.

Hours currently are Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m.

For additional information, call 518-569-5006 or email willsborooutdoorworld@gmail.com. Check out Willsboro Outdoor World’s website and find them on Facebook.

Pledge to Protect Lake Champlain (essexonlakechamplain.com)
Lake Champlain Committee Needs Volunteers to Steward Paddlers’ Trails (essexonlakechamplain.com)
Joe Call, the Lewis Giant (essexonlakechamplain.com)
1958 Vintage Ferry Brochure (essexonlakechamplain.com)

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