Boating Industry\u00a0magazine has named\u00a0Chessie Marine Sales,\u00a0located at 706 Augustine Herman Highway in Elkton, to its Top 100 Dealers list for 2018. It\u2019s the fifth consecutive year the family-owned business has been so honored. The 27-year-old business operated out of Melissa and Bryan Buckland\u2019s home before moving to its current location in 2000.
\n\u201cIt took a long time for people to stop saying, \u2018The old Lake\u2019s Auto Body,\u2019\u201d Melissa said of the previous owner. \u201cWe were a pretty small operation for 10 years. Then we said, \u2018If we\u2019re going to take this to the next level, we needed dirt.\u2019\u201d
\nEven though the store is not along the waterfront, Bryan said it\u2019s the perfect location.
\n\u201cSeventeen-thousand cars go by here every day,\u201d he said, adding many of those are en route to one of the five rivers in Cecil County. \u201cThey have to go by us.\u201d
\nChessie Marine Sales offers Malibu, axis and Nautique craft for waterskiing, wakeboarding and wake surfing. Cypress Cay and Premier pontoon boats are also on the lot and next year the Bucklands plan to add Cobalt runabout boats to their product line.
\nThe award recognizes the business for its sales and service as well as how the industry is promoted. Jonathan Sweet, director of the Top 100 program, said the award is about more than revenue \u2014 which topped $3.5 billion among the hall of fame honorees.
\n\u201cWe\u2019re also looking at factors including overall business acumen, marketing strategies, service department efficiency and profitability, customer service and dedication to the industry,\u201d Sweet said.
\nBryan said it amazes him that Chessie Marine Sales won again.
\n\u201cYou see these mega-dealerships with hundreds of employees and seven locations,\u201d he said of the competition. \u201cI believe our team is what makes us special.\u201d
\nHe added he figured the first award was a fluke.
\n\u201cThe second one was cool,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cAnd when you get that email (about the win) it\u2019s an adrenaline rush,\u201d Melissa added.
\nBut she said it\u2019s all about the company goal.
\n\u201cWe\u2019ve been helping families make memories for more than 25 years,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Boating Industry\u00a0magazine has named\u00a0Chessie Marine Sales,\u00a0located at 706 Augustine Herman Highway in Elkton, to its Top 100 Dealers list for 2018. It\u2019s the fifth consecutive year the family-owned business has been so honored. The 27-year-old business operated out of Melissa … Continue reading