Family Craft

Griffith’s Wawasee Marina Owners Mark 75 Years in Business

Wrtier / Lois Tomaszewski
Photography / Jubilee Edgell

If there was a formula for a business that weathered three-quarters of a century, Griffith’s Wawasee Marina may have it figured out. This year marks the 75^th year since Larry Griffith established his business where the old Ross Livery used to be on what was then known as Rural Route 2.

“The Griffith Family and the marina have stood the test of time for many reasons, but we can narrow it down to a few simple principles: Faith. Loyalty. Dedication. Faith in God and family. Loyalty to our customers. Dedication to our craft, no pun intended,” Andy Mikolajczak, step-grandson to the founder, says.

The foundation for the business that serves the Lake Wawasee boating community today began in the spring of 1946 when Larry Griffith returned from serving in World War II and found his way to the lake. He spent the summer doing odd jobs, including building a trailer to haul three boats from Wisconsin to Ross Greenwalt in time for July 4. Eventually, Griffith earned enough money by the fall to purchase Ross Livery and land from Greenwalt to build a marina.

Larry, with his wife Rosemary, established a business and a home on the lake and began serving the Wawasee community, a community which they loved and served for decades.

“Developing a strong reputation for honesty and integrity they worked tirelessly building their family, their business, and the lifestyle they wanted for everyone they came across at what is now 9171 E. Ross Dr. and known now as Griffith’s Wawasee Marina,” Mikolajczak says.

The couple raised four children, Terry, Danny, Lisa, and Andrea. Eventually, the business passed down to their children in the mid-1970s. They have continued to manage it and operate it.

Those same principles on which patriarch Larry established in 1946 are part of the day-to-day operations today, Mikolajczak said. That is reflected in the business’ commitment to its customers.

“The main goal at Griffith’s Wawasee Marina is to develop friendships and help them feel as comfortable as possible entering into what we consider to be the best way to enjoy life — with your family at the lake,” he says. “We owe our longevity to all of the people who have worked so hard here throughout the decades. To all of the families and friends that we’ve had the opportunity to serve in all facets.”

Griffith’s Wawasee Marina offers services relating to boats and engines, including maintenance and service, trailer sales, boating accessories and boat storage. Dock space for boats up to 24 feet is available during the summer season. Pontoons are also available for rental. For the would-be boat owner, Griffith’s has a large inventory of new and used boats.

The Griffith family is grateful that boat manufacturers and other suppliers have continued to support the business. In the 75 years of business, these boat lines have been numerous, according to Mikolajczak.

“Each of the companies that support us has been serving the boating industry for 60-plus years, and we are proud to offer that heritage to everyone who comes through our door,” Mikolajczak says.

Thompson, Owens, Higgins, and Mark Twain were prominent in the early years. As the business passed to the next generation, changes came with Fiberglass boats. CorrectCraft and Boston Whaler were added to the lineup.

“The Smokercraft Brand has been a part of the lifeblood that makes up Griffith’s Wawasee Marina for decades,” Mikolajczak says. “We’ve had the pleasure to offer up many of their lines including Smokercraft, Monark, and currently Starcraft. Our connection goes even further with Lisa’s husband, Dan Mikolajczak, working for Starcraft in product development designing their aluminum fishing boats years.”

Viking Deck Boats, Four Winns, Rinker, Harris, and Ski Centurion complete the Griffith’s Wawasee Marina selections.

Trends, he says, go up and down, but usually come full circle. “Boat manufacturers have their products and technologies so dialed in that you can get pretty much whatever you want. It’s our job to help guide you to the boat the is going to meet your needs the best.”

The same is true when it comes to the motor that powers the boat. Griffith’s handles Mercury motors, an arrangement that has been in place since 1947.

“In 1947 Carl Kiekhaefer, who started what is now Mercury Marine, made the trip from Wisconsin to Syracuse, Indiana and signed up Larry Griffith to sell Mercury outboards,” making us now the World’s Oldest and longest-running Mercury Dealer,” Mikolajczak says. “Pretty cool, huh?”

That also extends to keeping all the components operating smoothly.

“People often ask me ‘What’s the best engine out there?’ and I always answer – the one you take care of,” he says. “As long as you continue to perform routine preventative maintenance your engine can run for thousands of hours. Mercury has engines in service at Disney World that have 12,000-plus hours on them because they are routinely serviced.”

But there is one more component to the success of Griffith’s Wawasee marina – their 12 to 15 employees and the knowledge they can share with customers.

“Boating is expensive, and it doesn’t stop just because you’ve bought the boat,” Mikolajczak says.

He suggests potential first-time boat buyers find out about the after-purchase costs, such as service costs and labor rates, storage fees, and seasonal maintenance and costs. The Griffith’s team can help with this.

“And at the end of the day, if they don’t buy from us then hopefully, we’ve made a friend and we’ll see them at the gas dock.”

Whatever spoke to Larry Griffith decades ago that motivated him to establish the business on the shores of Lake Wawasee is still a powerful motivation for his descendants.  Three generations of the Griffith family have helped the business grow and thrive in the community.

“The unwavering desire to be out on the water continues to grow at GWM because we are, as always, Forever Family. Forever Boating. Forever Serving You Since 1946. God Bless Your Family,” Mikolajczak says.

You’ll find Griffith’s Wawasee Marina at 9171 East Ross Drive, Syracuse. For more information, call 260-856-2286 or visit wawaseemarina.com.