Shop Talk: Wellfleet Marine

For 55 years Wellfleet Marine has been operating their “goods, gifts and gear” shop in the heart of Wellfleet. Originally located on the Wellfleet Pier, the family-run business moved their operations to Holway Avenue in Wellfleet approximately 15 years ago, and it includes boat rentals, bait & tackle sales, a fish market, a shellfish grant and three commercial fishing boats, and a retail gift store (they’re not busy at all!).

Jill Prager, who runs the gift shop, which sell everything from home décor and quirky gifts to clothing and jewelry to things for kids and dogs, says they like to “keep it nautical, more of a seaside style.”

Her goal is to carry unique items, and she is always looking for something special to stock in the store whenever she travels. For the most part the items are from small makers and Jill knows their stories. They also carry a lot of local vendors including Wellfleet Sea Salt, Seaside Designs, The Knotty Cod, Cake & Islands, Meiche Designs and Fish Girl Designs.

And just like the business is a family affair, Jill makes some products like rope wreaths herself, and her daughter, Olivia, makes sterling silver sea glass jewelry.

Olivia’s Seaglass Jewelry

She thinks what sets them apart is their unique product offering, when you go to Wellfleet Marine, you can not only get the a hostess gift for an evening with friends, but also the fresh fish to cook for dinner.

What’s more, they have a strong focus on customer service, “if you don’t have customer service, you have nothing.” When you walk in there, she wants you to feel like one of the family, and she wants you to find joy in the products you see. “It is the best feeling when someone says, ‘I love what you have in here.’” Jill sees success in this philosophy: they have a loyal following of both locals and visitors that come back year after year.