New owners ‘keeping it local’

Posted on December 7, 2020

By Debra Butler
Columnist
Steinhatchee Bait & Tackle, a longtime local landmark located directly across from the Steinhatchee Boat Ramp, has recently changed ownership.
John and Valena Driggers, a hardworking young couple from Perry, are the proud new owners. Both still work full time jobs in Perry – John at Georgia-Pacific and Valena at Nammo Defense Systems. Additionally, Valena runs her own part-time business, Air & Opportunity Drone Services and Imaging, where she provides drone-created videos and photographs of real estate listings and outdoor events.
Together with their six children, the Driggers have plenty of home-grown staff to rely upon. Daughter Koko Vaughn is on hand several days a week to keep things running smoothly, while John and Valena work the weekends and any other hours not committed to their other jobs.
One unique aspect of this family-owned and operated venture is that the Driggers go out of their way to promote and support other local businesses, artisans and suppliers.
The Driggers have partnered with McDavid’s Cafe to provide hot “grab & go” biscuits for morning fishermen stopping in for bait and ice.
Whimsical wooden signs and wind chimes created by local artist, 2° Off Center, are hanging throughout the shop for sale, as well as thoughtfully-designed t-shirts created by Alachua County firefighter Gene Findley.
Frozen shrimp caught out of nearby Horseshoe Beach are available for purchase, as are live shrimp, other saltwater baits and freshwater options such as worms and catfish
bait.
The Driggers work hand in hand with Good Times Marina on bait deliveries as a way to cut down on delivery costs.
In lieu of ordering online, the Driggers contracted with Steinhatchee’s own Team Williams to produce the storefront’s new exterior signage.
Many of the store’s artificial lures, such as Saltwater Assassin, Captain Brian Smith’s homemade “Confidence Jigs,” and “Jim’s Jigs” are all crafted by locals in the Taylor County area and surrounding communities. Locally-made crab traps from two different trap makers can also be purchased on site.
Due to a limited amount of space, the Driggers cannot possibly stock large quantities of everything, but they do have on hand a diverse selection of fishing rods and tackle popular with area anglers and charter captains.
“We’re trying to support locally-owned businesses, and they in turn support us,” Valena states. “It may cost us a little more, but if I need to order something, I don’t have to wait three days to get it, and there is the convenience of the face-to-face relationship.”