Palmer's Astor Marine Breaks Ground On New Location

    After nearly two years of permitting delays, Palmer's Astor Marine is set to begin construction of its new location. Business owners Rick and Georgia Palmer welcomed friends and business partners to a special groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, February 3, marking the official beginning of the project that will see the business move from its temporary quarters in Astor Park to a new, three-acre site on SR 40 at the intersection of River Road.
   “We jumped through all their hoops,” said Rick Palmer on Friday, while discussing the many stops and starts encountered while trying to get a building permit for the location. “It was something different every time. But now we are ready to go.”
   A large group of well-wishers dodged raindrops to enjoy the groundbreaking ceremony on Friday morning, which included tables of sweet treats for attendees, and golden shovels for groundbreaking participants.
   The Palmers are planning a 3,200 square-foot building that will serve as both a front office and repair shop, with plenty of room for boat displays. The site, which on Friday was still housing an old structure and a large pine stand, is expected to be cleared in the coming weeks.
   “They are starting next week,” Georgia Palmer said. And with luck, the site will be leveled within three weeks, making way for the new building.
   The couple, longtime co-workers with the late Monica Connolly at Astor Marine, have been planning a new, permanent home after Astor Marine ceased operations upon Connolly’s passing nearly two years ago. A large list of supporters, including Paul and Terry Chandler, James Crech, and Bruce Glueck, have stepped up to help the business function in its temporary location until the new site is ready.
   United Southern Bank has provided financing for the construction project, and bank employees Roxy Cruz and Jordan Hawkins were on hand to support the special event on Friday.
   “They made the opportunity possible,” Georgia said of the group of supporters who have helped shepherd the business to this point. An effort that was at times a struggle of major proportions.
   “March 1 will be two years since we started,” Rick Palmer said. But once the new building is up and business has moved to the expanded location, “it will all be worth it”.