Jan and Dan Hempton opened Jan’s Sport Shop in the fall of 1969 in downtown Goodrich due to their love of snowmobiling and boating.
The Hempton family loves to play, and Michigan people seem to be inseparable from their boats.
The beginnings of this family business can be traced to the Hemptons? involvement with the sport of snowmobiling starting in the early 1970s. The family raced all over. In 1972 Jan took national and state honors in a USSA nationally-sanctioned snowmobile race’winning trophies and a beautiful diamond ring from Rupp Industries. The whole shop at that time, including Jan’s husband and two children competed and won state, national and world trophies.
Now retired, the Hemptons leave the day’s business operation to son Brad Hempton and daughter Janell Zirnhelt. Deep family roots tied to the community have led to the third generation graduating from Goodrich High School.
Jan did some experimenting along the way. With selling lawn and garden equipment, ski clothing, cross-country ski equipment, 4-wheelers, and even snowmobiles are a thing of the past. However, they still do service and have parts and accessories for snowmobiles.
Recently, Jan’s began to specialize only in bass boats, fishing boats, pontoons and bow riders. Jan’s sells Ranger bass boats, Crestliner, Monark, and Smokercraft fishing boats and pontoons, along with the most luxurious pontoon by Premier Marine.
Pontoons have come a long way. Premier builds a pontoon that rides better than a deck boat with speeds over 40 mph. The ride is amazing on Lake St. Clair.
‘We can custom-order that boat just the way you want,? said Brad Hempton, Jan’s Sport Shop manager.
In addition, Jan’s sells the complete line of outboard motors, including Mercury, Honda, Yamaha, and Johnson.
Jan’s Sport Shop stands behind what they sell, with a complete line of parts and accessories. Most of their service technicians and riggers have been at the sporting shop for 15 to 20 years. Jan’s offers fast service.
‘A customer can bring in their boat on Monday, we’ll have it done by Friday if we have the parts in stock.?
‘It’s a wonderful feeling when customers tell you they’ve made their dream come true,? said Zirnhelt.
‘We have customers that have upgraded and purchased their fourth or fifth boat from us. People return to us because they have the confidence in the owners and staff. They know we will take care of any problems and get them back on the water.?
Many of Jan’s customers look forward to their annual Customer Appreciation Bass Tournament on Lake St. Clair.
‘It’s a family event and ends with a big picnic, and thousands of dollars in prizes. Don’t miss out.?
Now is the time people start to look at boats seriously. Even though Jan’s sells year-round, April is the largest month for delivery.
Customers want their boats ready for those first tempting warm days when the ice is gone from the water, the sun is warm, and the sky becomes a beautiful Michigan blue.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday; 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Call (810) 636-2241 or go to http://www.janssports.com.