Jersey Tackle Update

[JerseyCoast]

Just a quick update, to say we are still in the shop. We are patiently waiting to hear something from THE SBA regarding all of these LOANS ( not hand outs, but loans) that they promised the businesses affected by the storm.

As I mentioned last month, we will still be around, worst case scenario would be that we are forced to become an internet only dealer. ( it works for so many others) .

I know I have been AWOL lately, but we have been busy trying to get answers. I cant believe how slow the response has been for local businesses and families who lost their homes. What the hell is going on?? Does our GOVT really think all of this will go away on its own??? I don't want handouts or free money.......just the chance to have that loan that these officials all promised after the storm, before election day. I cant imagine what people who lost everything are dealing with right now. Its so frustrating to watch these people suffer, with NO HELP in the near future.

Any way........ we are still building rods, still barely staying in the shop and hope to get through this. The guys who purchased their Jersey Jigger Rods a couple of weeks ago, I want to assure you that the life time warranty will always be in effect. We are never going to disappear on you.

Thank you to all of you that have placed orders..... your business truly is appreciated.

We have a few openings for rod building classes in January if anyone is interested. $150 and you build the rod, take it home at the end of the class.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Hang tough Tom and don't let them wear you down.

[JerseyHooker.Com]

Tom Be Careful with SBA they put a blanket lean on everything you own ..

[JerseyCoast]

Rich,
Thanks for that info!!
I spoke to a few other shop owners and it seems nobody got anywhere with them anyway. I think my beef with them is the false claim of helping and how wonderful they are at times like this.

Your right, they do...... but we managed to hang on this long and it looks like we will have a nice big hole we will be digging out of, but I hate to throw it all away at this point. We are all in the same situation here as private shop owners. Hopefully we do not lose too many shops over this. I know some have already thrown in the towel.

So..... I have decided to add more stress to my daily routine and hang on.... lol. We both know there are a few other owners like you and I that are always willing to help each other out, so I think we can watch out for each other and hopefully we all make it through.

Its just incredible how many people were effected by this storm and we still have people living in homes with no heat, no electric, still today! I feel for them.....I wish there were something more I could do to help them....

[tuna13]

Stopped by the store Saturday and was glad to hear that you're trying to keep the store going.
By the way it was a real nice gesture to volunteer supplies to those in need immediately following the storm. The world needs more people like you guys.
Good luck!

[JerseyCoast]

Originally Posted by tuna13

Stopped by the store Saturday and was glad to hear that you're trying to keep the store going.
By the way it was a real nice gesture to volunteer supplies to those in need immediately following the storm. The world needs more people like you guys.
Good luck!

Thank you. But, honestly I think that anyone who was there the morning after would probably have done the same thing. I will never forget what our area looked like when the sun came up that day. So many lives changed overnight, I think it will be with me for the rest of my life.

We are doing what we can, see how big this hole gets and if this summer will be enough to dig us out of it. Losing my business is still not as bad as what most people are going through. The way things are going, I think many fishermen will not be in the water until 2014. They have bigger priorities and are having a hard time getting all of the help we see the media claiming is out there. From what I see, its neighbors helping neighbors....... there is no "Savior" making it happen.

If you really look at all of the benefit concerts, fundraisers, etc....raising millions of dollars, I have to ask: where is that money really going? Why not go to every home and hand them something to get things started? Why does all of this money go to "organizations" with payrolls or for that matter, things that are totally unrelated?? It gets to me, as I think you can see..... Much of the Country has forgotten about the storm by now, but we have plenty of families that are still in a bad way! Its a helpless feeling to see people in this position and not be able to make it better.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Originally Posted by JerseyCoast

Thank you. But, honestly I think that anyone who was there the morning after would probably have done the same thing. I will never forget what our area looked like when the sun came up that day. So many lives changed overnight, I think it will be with me for the rest of my life.

We are doing what we can, see how big this hole gets and if this summer will be enough to dig us out of it. Losing my business is still not as bad as what most people are going through. The way things are going, I think many fishermen will not be in the water until 2014. They have bigger priorities and are having a hard time getting all of the help we see the media claiming is out there. From what I see, its neighbors helping neighbors....... there is no "Savior" making it happen.

If you really look at all of the benefit concerts, fundraisers, etc....raising millions of dollars, I have to ask: where is that money really going? Why not go to every home and hand them something to get things started? Why does all of this money go to "organizations" with payrolls or for that matter, things that are totally unrelated?? It gets to me, as I think you can see..... Much of the Country has forgotten about the storm by now, but we have plenty of families that are still in a bad way! Its a helpless feeling to see people in this position and not be able to make it better.

I hear you on all the funds being raised and people still not getting the help that they need. Thats why I like to and I suggest to others that you give to the people in need directly or make donations to small grass roots organizations that will give a full accounting of where exactly your money is going.

[JerseyCoast]

Originally Posted by Gerry Zagorski

I hear you on all the funds being raised and people still not getting the help that they need. Thats why I like to and I suggest to others that you give to the people in need directly or make donations to small grass roots organizations that will give a full accounting of where exactly your money is going.

I could not agree more Gerry!!! If you handed a $50 bill to a person directly, they get more out of it than if you donated $200 to a big organization. I was up north in Union Beach area recently and this area just may be in worse shape than my area. I see some small improvements in our area, but looks like up north is still stalled for most part.

I wish there was something more I could do. The stories are like a horror flick, but they are real!! Very sad!