Time on the Waters Outdoors has new owners
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| Frank Hyla, one of the new owners of Time on the Waters Outdoors in Spring Valley, stands by some fishing tackle he sells in his store. Plans are for the business to sell archery and hunting supplies as well as fishing supplies. (BCR photo/Lyle Ganther) |
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SPRING VALLEY — The new owners of a Spring Valley business are striving to become the place for outdoorsmen to shop for all their fishing and hunting supplies.
Frank Hyla, one of the new owners of Time on the Waters Outdoors (formerly Riverview Marine), said he and another silent partner bought the business Jan. 6 at 515 S. Spalding St.
In addition to being a fishing tackle shop, the new owners plan to expand the business to accommodate a full archery shop. They will also be selling fishing boats.
Hyla, who was a salesman for the last two years for Jeff Heimsoth, the former owner of the business said he did well in the sales of fishing boats, but Heimsoth’s passion was big cruisers and ski boats.
“We are smack dab in the middle of a big fishing area with the river,” he said. “We were busy from March to October but had a void the other six months. With the hunting and archery shop, we want to supply the needs for hunters.”
Hyla said Heimsoth thought the geography of the business was a big challenge because he was trying to get people to come to Spring Valley from the Chicago suburbs to shop here with his larger boats and cruisers.
However, Hyla thinks geography is a big draw for Time on the Waters Outdoors because Spring Valley is only an hour or so away from metropolitan areas like Chicago, Rockford, Quad Cities and Peoria.
“There are a ton of outdoorsmen in this area,” he said. “They now have to go to Joliet or Peoria if they want hunting equipment. This area is famous for deer hunters and duck hunters, too. There are dozens of clubs along the river, and we are hoping to be the place where members shop for their supplies.”
Hyla said Time on the Waters Outdoors will be a sales and service value dealer.
“We have lowered our prices and service rates,” he said. “We want to get more people in here, instead of a few people.”
Rick Parrot, the service manager of the business, has helped the business become a Mercury 5-Star CSI award winner since he started in June. Only three marinas in the state have received this award, Hyla said.
“We want to be a successful business, an excellent neighbor and friend to the town and area,” he said. “We want to serve the fishing tournaments put on by MWC and FLW, which bring in several hundred contestants each year and launch 50 yards away from us on Barto Landing.”
Hyla, who hosts his own fishing show on Comcast Chicago Net called “Time on the Water,” also wants to start other fishing tournaments for catfish and white bass.
“We want Spring Valley to be the sporting headquarters of the state,” he said.
Hyla plans to have an open house Saturday and Sunday for all outdoorsmen to see Time on the Waters Outdoors. Its phone number is (815) 663-1000.
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