Suntex Acquires Laurel Marina – Quimby's Cruising Guide

Suntex Acquires Laurel Marina

Suntex Marina Investors, LLC, based in Dallas, is the new owner of Laurel Marina in Bristol, Tennessee. The marina will now be managed by Anchor South Investments, based in Knoxville and a wholly owned subsidiary of Suntex.

In conjunction with the announcement of new ownership and management, Suntex has promoted Jim Yancey from vice president at Laurel Marina to general manager. Yancey has been with Laurel Marina for 22 years and will continue to serve its approximately 2,400 customers with his wisdom and experience with the property and guests.

Laurel’s previous owner, Dale Thomas, is retiring after owning and managing the marina for more than 40 years. According to Thomas, the sale is bittersweet. “The marina has been in my family since 1950,” he said. “Laurel Marina & Yacht Club was the first marina on South Holston Lake. I purchased it from my uncle in 1976, and since that time we have grown the business from a small boat dock to what is now, the largest marina in Northeast Tennessee.”

“We have always strived to be the best in the region by being industry trend setters,” Thomas added. “The fine folks at Anchor South and Suntex plan to not only retain but increase the services and amenities so important to our customer base and the region.”

Laurel Marina is a 550-slip marina located on South Holston Lake situated in the beautiful mountains of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia near Bristol, Tennessee. “Laurel Marina is the perfect addition to Suntex’s portfolio of premier destination marinas, and we look forward to further enhancing the customer experience on South Holston Lake with the facilities enhancements and continued excellence in customer service,” said Johnny Powers, Suntex CEO.

For more information about Suntex Marina Investors, visit www.suntex.com and for Anchor South Investments, visit www.anchorsouthmanagement.com. To learn more about Laurel Marina, visit www.laurelmarina.com.

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