Downunder owner Kim Beaumont poses with Saugatuck Center developers Sam Gault (l) and Jim Donaher. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Saugatuck Center, the new Gault-owned mixed-use development overlooking the Saugatuck River in the heart of Westport’s Saugatuck area, has signed its first retail tenant – a kayaking and paddle boarding rental, instruction, and surf shop called Downunder.
The signing was announced today and a news release said the shop will open on Memorial Day weekend, just in time for the unofficial start of summer, in a 2,000 square foot street level space.
“Reclaiming this beautiful piece of waterfront property for the enjoyment of the entire community has always been a top priority for us,” said Sam Gault of Hamilton Development, the real estate arm of Gault Energy and Stone.
“Downunder is the ideal anchor tenant for transforming this area into a fun destination for outdoor and water sports enthusiasts, alike.”
Kim Beaumont, Downunder’s owner, said the new Saugatuck Center is the perfect location for a recreational water sports business. “I look forward to sharing my passion with a whole new group of people,” she said.
When completed, the riverfront property, once a commercial storage area for home heating oil, building materials and sand, will feature a public walking trail along the water’s edge, as well as such waterfront amenities as boat slips, visitor docking and, now, kayaking and paddle boarding, the news release said.
This is great. Another unique outfit to further propel the revitalization of Saugatuck. With all the new restaurants and I’m sure more interesting retail coming in the future. The area will truely be the place to hang out.
Now, if only we had a business that’d generate some decent-sized waves on the Sound….
Awesome! Now I just hope they stay open until sunset in the summer.
Recreation, the Saugatuck River, LI Sound are all great resources that more of us should be able to tap into. Gault’s Saugatuck Center is ideally positioned to promote some very positive growth for Westport.
I hope they teach their customers that boats are bigger 🙂 and can’t stop as easily, as in no brake pedals. And, in the dark, they’ve no lights, either.
g’day from Downunder – the Saugatuck center will def. revitalize the area and be a great place to hang out – in the stores, on the waterfront and on the water. Jeff, I’m working on waves… lots of paddlers? Ethan visit us on Thur/Fri nights for sunset paddles – open til 8, and try the moonlight ones. Everyone wears lights from dusk! we’re very safety conscious, esp with rowers on the river. See you all soon, Kim
I feel better knowing that, Kim! The safety conscious bit I mean. A number of paddlers are not as you may or may not know. As a result, you can’t see them when they’re out there in the dusk. I make it a point to keep my eyes peeled, at all times, ‘cause you never know what you’re going to encounter. I wish you the best of luck w/ your new venture and have a feeling you’ll do very well. It’s a gorgeous location. They did an excellent job w/ the building, it’s outstanding!
We’re very fortunate to be in such beautiful waters.
Kim, great news! I will be great to have you in Westport. Best of luck, Tim Hawkes (The Mountain Workshop).