A RISING TIDE
Breathing New Life into the Marina District
By Connie Bye | Photos by Annie Graebner
Near the boardwalk facing Eagle Harbor, The Chandlery lures boaters, tourists and island residents alike with an array of snacks, boating supplies and souvenirs.
Maybe the name sounds like a throwback to Elizabethan times. But The Chandlery Marine Supplies & Gifts plays a key role in the life of Bainbridge’s Marina District.
“It gives boaters easy access to the supplies they need to keep their vessels safe and well-maintained, and it helps keep the waterfront active and functional,” said Jessie Murphy, manager for Winslow Wharf Marina, which owns and leases the venerable building. “It is part of what makes this feel like a real community, not just a place to tie up.”
Four friends recently took over The Chandlery business, hoping to draw on their experiences as live-aboard boat residents and as retailers, said Anna Carson, who owns Dana’s on Bainbridge along with her husband John Carson, executive director of the Bainbridge Island Downtown Association. The other couple, Ben Doerr and Deb Henderson, own Sail Bainbridge, a charter service based in Eagle Harbor.
“The Chandlery is the only waterfront retailer on Bainbridge,” Carson said. “It’s vital for live-aboards, for people docking overnight or even for those who are just visiting for a day.”
The new shop owners have been expanding the merchandise lines, including more souvenirs, food, maps and snacks—there will be ice cream this summer—and they now have a beer and wine license.
And there are the shirts, featuring the new Chandlery logo: a strong, wind-swept woman helming a sailing vessel. Carson said some people have been posing as the figure on the shirt and sharing the pictures on social media.
The Chandlery also is a drop spot for gear that boaters order from Seattle suppliers. “If someone needs a boat part, they likely can order it and pick it up here the next day,” Carson said.
The idea of a chandlery might seem foreign to newer islanders, Carson acknowledged. “People who moved here since COVID might say, ‘The what?’ People often ask how to pronounce it.”
For Winslow Wharf Marina, the relationship is symbiotic. The marina supports boaters with moorage, restrooms, showers and a laundry, Murphy said, and The Chandlery fills in the piece of having essential gear and supplies on site. “Together, it creates a more complete and convenient experience for our long-term and visiting boaters.”
Chandlery customers generally fall into two categories, Carson said. People who live on boats are regular, year-round patrons. But residents and tourists who walk down to the water and grab a coffee at Pegasus also stop by. The busiest times at the shop are “when the water is busy,” she noted.
Although living aboard might seem like the answer to moderately priced housing, Murphy said buying a seaworthy vessel can be expensive, and there are ongoing costs, including moorage, maintenance and utilities.
“Many people who choose to live aboard their vessels do so because they value the boating lifestyle, the sense of maritime community and the walkability of being in town,” she said.
The marina area is a link between Bainbridge’s past and its current identity, Murphy said. “It supports local businesses, brings people down to Eagle Harbor and helps keep the shoreline active and accessible. It is one of the places where the island’s maritime character is still very visible and part of everyday life.”
Carson has been promoting the Marina District in various ways, including on social media, with a goal of making islanders comfortable with the notion of a special area south of Winslow Way and along Madison Avenue.
She said the idea is catching on. “To have fun with your family, go to the Marina District.”
