Waterfront Diving Center, a well-known fixture on Burlington’s waterfront, celebrates 25 years in business this year. Founded in 1988 at 196 Battery Street, the store moved to its current location on the corner of Battery and Maple in 1991.
Jonathan Eddy, who co-owns the store with Chip Perry, says Waterfront Diving’s prominent location has served them well over the years. “Being on a very busy corner in downtown Burlington has been a huge benefit, and our iconic mannequin has served us well,” he says, of the female diving-attired mannequin that stands curbside in front of the store and has been so popular that twice she has gone missing and come back dressed in gothic or Halloween attire.
Eddy also attributes their long-term success to Burlington’s sports-minded, active community. “We fit in well as a lifestyle activity and we have limited competition. We are one of only two dive shops on Lake Champlain you can get to by watercraft, and we are safety conscious and thorough.
Scuba is Waterfront Diving’s primary niche, yet they are open year round and do a large amount of business in related sports. “People are surprised to hear a dive shop in Vermont can stay open all year, but Chittenden County residents tend to travel to warmer climates in the winter and we supply the casual snorkelers, as well as swimmers and triathletes, with the gear they need,” Eddy explains. During winter months the store runs several group trips to popular diving sites in the Caribbean.
“We try to keep people involved in diving. We teach diving classes, sell product, do repairs, rent gear, and lead trips,” says Eddy. Waterfront Diving also instructs a physical education scuba class at UVM and Vermont Technical College. In the summer they take divers to Lake Champlain’s underwater preserves and to wrecks on the St. Lawrence River, Lake Ontario, New England’s coast, and Lake Willoughby.
Eddy came to the business in 1990 and has a background in banking. Perry was a long-time employee who worked in the shop as an instructor, did repairs and retail, and led trips. He became a partner in 2010. The shop is open seven days a week, the first weekend in June through Columbus Weekend, and six days a week the rest of the year.
