The Laurel Harbor Marina and Yacht Club, a 156-slip, protected marina situated on the Jersey Shore in the heart of Ocean County, has been sold, according to a Tuesday announcement from Bielat Santore & Co.
Located at 502 Laurel Blvd. in Lanoka Harbor, the marina was owned and operated by the Spalliero family for over 20 years. As fate would have it, the Spalliero family, with a wide array of real estate holdings, also has a long professional relationship with Bielat Santore sales associate Robert Gillis, aka “Diner Bob,” known for his interaction with diner and breakfast-lunch café owners throughout the state, as well as the real estate firm.
So, how did the sale of this popular marina come about? Well simply put, Gillis hit the “high seas” to make the sale.
“In all honesty, the sale process for the 156-slip marina accommodating boats from 20 to 50 feet was a real challenge,” Gillis noted.
The business included slip rentals, a marine repair shop, winter storage, shrink wrapping, gas, the sale of parts, merchandise, ramp keys, etc. The firm had no problem finding prospective buyers. The marina generated a great deal of interest, producing dozens of qualified buyers.
However, the former owner had developed a tight-knit, family-oriented environment and really wanted a buyer, preferably another family, to continue the legacy created. After considering several offers, Gillis was able to negotiate acceptable terms with the right buyer: A family from Jackson that recently sold a large mobile home park they had owned and operated for years.
