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OYSTER POINTER is a monthly publication about business in the Oyster Pointer area of Newport News, VA. More About the Oyster Pointer Publication Submit Your Ideas and Thoughts “Oyster Pointer Salutes:” Archives Request
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In 1954, “the two hardest working parents,” Elmo Jr. and Mary Anne Wilcox, as told by Nathan, began a small grocery and live bait shop. At the time, the couple sold groceries, homemade goods and live bait. After an unexpected $30 investment in fishing tackle by Elmo Jr., Wilcox Bait & Tackle soon emerged. Over the years the small family business would become a staple for outdoor sport enthusiasts throughout Newport News. In 1981, the family took the initiative and moved to Oyster Point, becoming one of the first businesses to locate in this fast-growing business park. They opened the wholesale branch of their business as Wilcox Sea, Lake & Shore products at 801 Omni Blvd. Brothers Tom and Nathan now run the family business and have become experts through involvement and love for their work. Tom, who runs Wilcox Bait & Tackle at 9501 Jefferson Ave., has found that their customers come back because of the family’s expertise and familiarity. Wilcox Bait & Tackle specializes in archery equipment, handguns, rifles, shotguns, mussel loaders and hunting apparel, and the company motto is, “we service what we sell.” Tom expressed his love of the area, “We are really fortunate to live in the area, and we have some of the best fishing in Newport News and along the Chesapeake Bay. It’s difficult to be a sportsman while trying to work. After you finish fitting everybody else, you have little time for yourself to get out and enjoy the season.” The other half of the business, at Wilcox Sea, Lake & Shore Products, finds Nathan running operations, which specializes in packaging wholesale bait, exotic animals and pet supplies. A fascination about the Omni Boulevard business location is that it was originally a military bunker used for old munitions storage. Currently the spacious bunker has been transformed into freezer storage. It is one of the few remaining bunkers left in Oyster Point Park. The Wilcox family has planted seeds in Newport News that have definitely taken root. There are probably few sportsmen who are unfamiliar with the Wilcox name, as either a customer or friend. When asked about their success, Nathan replies, “it’s definitely our work ethic learned from our parents and the ability we have as a family to work so closely together.” Wilcox Sea, Lake & Shore Products/Wilcox Bait & Tackle |
Wilcox Bait & Tackle: A sporting family legacy