A New Beginning Awaits

Change is a constant, sometimes slow, sometimes ephemeral, always a marker on the metaphorical highway that is the passage of time. 

That enduring reality is one that Jeff and Jessi Dawson cited when discussing the impending move of their business, Scuba Marco, from the historic Olde Marco cottage it’s called home since the business began 27 years ago.

By sometime in June at the latest, the shop will have vacated the Bald Eagle Drive space to comply with the deadline of property owner, the Carvelli Restaurant Group. The company plans to raze the building and create much-needed, additional parking for its restaurant, the Snook Inn, which is located nearby. 

The Dawsons are working with Marco real estate agents to try and find a new location on the island for Scuba Marco. The shop offers diving instruction and certification, dive trips locally and elsewhere in Florida, equipment for rental or purchase, tank fills, scuba equipment repairs, and water sports apparel. 

Rather than lament the situation, the couple expressed an appreciation of the past and optimism about the business’ future when interviewed recently. They also voiced a shared perspective on growth on the island. 

“It's progress,” said Jessi Dawson. “We've had such a good run here. We've enjoyed it. I know people are going to be upset (by the move). It's sad and changes are emotional. But progress is a good thing, and I think all of the developers, owners, and investors down here have (our) best interests at heart and want to make this island even better. Parking down here is a huge issue, and so is safety. So, to make things better and really make things work would be huge.” 

The Dawsons were informed in late February that they had 60-to-90 days before they would have to cease operating at the cottage. But the news did not come as a surprise. 

Jessi Dawson said the Passini family, which then owned the Snook, purchased the property in 1998 specifically to create additional parking for the uber-popular eatery, where, as with other Olde Marco restaurants, parking is at a premium. 

The Carvelli Group reiterated that intention for the property, which fronts Bald Eagle Drive, after assuming ownership from the Passini’s in 2017. 

“The new owners came in and were very honest and said, ‘We plan on doing some development and we're not sure what direction we're going to move in, but you guys need to start thinking about forward motion,’” explained Jessi Dawson, who praised both ownership groups with having been “great landlords.”

Jeff Dawson is thankful to now have “a definite time frame.” 

“We've been looking on and off for a good fit in the community for us to move to, but not with a sense of urgency,” he said. “Now we have a sense of urgency.”

He also shared his mindset about leaving the shop’s home after so many years there.

“I've been saying goodbye to this place for five years, so I don't feel a lot of emotional shock,” he said. “I've already processed those feelings. In a lot of ways, it's sad because this building is such a great fit for a dive shop, very compatible. The next place won't have that same feel on the outside. But Jesse and I will still be rocking the laid-back, chill vibe inside, no matter where we're at. And it'll give the business a more concrete foundation, having a lease and being tied into a place for five-to-10 years, instead of going month-to-month for five years and not knowing what's going to happen.”

Jessi Dawson expressed appreciation for the business’ journey thus far and cheerful anticipation regarding what lies ahead. 

“We're just so blessed and thankful that we've been here for so long and helped touch so many lives and be included in the community and have the community support for all these years,” she said. “All the kiddos that we certified back at the start, now they're bringing their babies in to get certified. I mean, that's cool. And we're looking forward to another 27 years.”

Scuba Marco is located at 1141 Bald Eagle Drive. For more information, please visit scubamarco.com or call 239-389-7889.