INSIDE

Captain Bob is on the way

Just in time for Christmas, local retailers Pam Oakley and Jason McDougall are teaming up to open what will be the second biggest store on the Point in the old blue parcel service building on Gulf Road.

“The square footage of the new store is surprising,” said Oakley, former owner of The Secret Garden and familiar face in the Westwind Marine store, who will manage Captain Bob’s Emporium. McDougall, who brought his liquidation business to the Point once before with Sand Dollars at the foot of Gulf Road, owns the new business and will stock it with discounted merchandise through nationwide liquidations. “The same things you’d get for $5 at WalMart you can get here for $1.50,” Oakley said.

More than a dollar store, Oakley said Captain Bob’s will consist of four large rooms donated with a nautical style. One room will be primarily casual clothing for men, women and children, decorated with canvas hangings, “sea chests” and nets. One room will have leather furniture and home decor items, one room will be a variety store and the entry room will have wrapping paper, cards and a classic children’s video rental area.

“I immediately thought of embracing our nautical character plan for Point Roberts,” Oakley said, “but my idea of nautical is dancing lobsters and mermaids and pirates. We’ll run with that. It’s so much more fun than rope on pilings.”

Captain Bob’s will also highlight local artists and crafters, including handmade soaps from Oakley’s own Bubbles Bakery, shaped and smelling like desserts. “I want to incorporate as many local products as possible,” she said. “It’s so nice to be able to promote the talent of your friends and neighbors.” Every six weeks she hopes to feature the work of a different local artist.

The store will take up the remainder of the ground floor of the building not occupied by Triple M Realty, and Oakley anticipates spilling out into the large parking lot in the summer for community events and a farmers market. “I would really love to build a miniature golf course in the back and challenge the creative individuals in this community to build some sculpture for it,” Oakley said.

The store will be open before December 1, Oakley speculated, but the grand opening will be on December 10.