Business of the Week: Virgil's Bait Shop

For the last 70 years,  has been a family-run business that has provided fishing enthusiasts with a local and familiar setting to buy fishing supplies. It is what made owner Bill Mitchell want to stick around for 30 years, and what makes local fishing entusiasts keep coming back.

“It’s a family business and we get a lot of steady customers,” said Mitchell. “It’s a small business and people like those kind of things. We have a lot of city customers.”

Mitchell is originally from Pennsylvania but came to California to visit his wife’s family; his wife’s father was stationed at Travis Air Force Base. The couple loved the area so much they decided to stay. Shortly after moving, he began working at the store. He bought the business only six years ago.

“I worked here for a long time here for the previous owner, so when he retired I bought it from him,” he said.

 Mitchell has seen the changes in Suisun City, as well as fluctuations in the market for bait and tackle stores throughout the years. He said years ago, when Suisun City was smaller and the economy was much better, a lot more people used to fish. The shop, too, carried hunting supplies. However, the dwindling number of customers, along with local competition caused the focus of the store to shift mostly to just bait and tackle.

 “In the old days we used to sell a lot more, but now there’s too many of the big box stores,” said bill. “They sell stuff below my costs.”

The store not only depends on the economy, weather makes a big difference. With the delta having it’s official opening just weeks ago, the store welcomes fishing enthusiasts from Suisun City and beyond who love going to the , the slough or Grizzly Island to fish. Good weather can extend the season, as well. Bill said the industry can be tough at times.

“A lot of it depends on the weather, too. When the weather’s nice people go, when its nasty then they don’t go… The bulk of the business is fair weather.”

Still, Virgil’s has stood the test of time. One of the reasons is because locals know him and the store, and often come by just to visit, have a couple drinks at the store’s bar, and watch sports on the big screen. Tim Kelly has been doing just that for over 15 years.

“When I’m working normally I come in after work to have a beverage and see the boys and girls that come in here,” said Kelly. “We all get along pretty good.”

Kelly he often brings his girlfriend and other men bring their wives to Virgil’s. Often groups that go fishing and skiing together also enjoy meeting at the shop to host potlucks, watch sports, play card games such as cribbage, and, as fitting for any bait and tackle shop, they also trade fishing stories.

“It’s kind of like a family atmosphere in here now,” said Kelly.