We are a family run business started in 1997 as a small Bait & Tackle Shop at our home. Shortly after we purchased our first Bait Vending Machine, we realized the tremendous earning potential and added more machines as we grew. In 2000, we opened a large Bait & Tackle Shop 15 miles from our home, and successfully operated it until 2004. At that time, we decided to concentrate on the Live Bait & Tackle Vending Business. We operated a route of 20 bait vending machines from 1998 until 2007. In Jan. of 2007 our vending route was purchased by the largest bait wholesaler in South Eastern Pennsylvania. We currently distribute our line of bait and tackle vending machines across the USA & Canada. We also service machines and supply our customers a variety of products that support their vending business.
Big Rock Sports® Acquires PA Live Bait Vending – July 8th 2011
NEWPORT, NC – Furthering its strategy to deliver the most comprehensive and diversified outdoor sports product offering, Ed Small, Chief Executive Officer of Big Rock Sports, LLC announced today that Big Rock has acquired PA Live Bait Vending. A leader in the live bait and tackle industry, PA Live Bait Vending operates out of Elverson, Pennsylvania and has been supplying and supporting 24-hour vending machines for the fishing industry since 1997.
“This acquisition combines PA Live Bait Vending’s preeminent vending equipment with Big Rock’s unparalleled portfolio of products and services, resulting in more opportunities for our customers to fuel future growth within their businesses. With this transaction, we welcome and embrace PA Live Bait Vending’s customer-focused culture, which since 1997, has supported and supplied 24 hour vending machines throughout the United States” said Ed Small.
PA Live Bait Vending President Gary Harsel will continue with Big Rock Sports, and will help Big Rock expand the 24-hour vending concept into other product categories
PA Live Bait Vending is committed to the betterment of the sporting goods industry by presenting Big Rock’s customers an opportunity to give the consumer the products they need 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Partnering with Big Rock Sports will provide the resources and capital necessary to bring new products and innovations to sporting goods retailers throughout North America.
Big Rock Sports, LLC, is an outdoor sports wholesaler, service provider and business partner to the retail market. Big Rock Sports is international in scope, regional in focus and local in relationships. Big Rock services over 15,000 retailers internationally with a direct sales force who represent over 1,200 manufacturers.
Pa Live Bait Vending is committed to the betterment of the Live Bait & Tackle Vending Industry, presenting the business man an opportunity to give the fisherman the products they need 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are dedicated to expansion and improvement of our existing product line and plan to add new innovative products in the future. Working together with our customers, we realize that this industry can only grow and will benefit all those involved.
We are extremely proud of the success of our Liberty 24 Hour Bait Shop. Since the development of the Liberty in late 2005 we have shipped hundreds to satisfied customers across the USA. The Liberty is changing the way businesses are selling their bait and tackle products, allowing their customers to purchase their products 24 hours a day. We also continue to offer the used LB-170 on a very limited basis. Periodically we accept older model machines as trade-ins from existing customers. These machines can be beneficial for small accounts, and for customers starting out, testing their markets.
On May 17th 2010 we were proud to announce the introduction of “The Sportsman 24 Hour Bait Shop”. Keeping with our mission statement (As technology advances, we promise to keep in step with those advances so we may offer the best possible products available). The Sportsman is our premium offering, with all the features of the Liberty and much more.
We also introduced the “Coastal 24 Hour Bait Shop in the summer of 2010”. This is our model for the saltwater market. The Coastal provides a convenient solution for saltwater fishing since the type of bait used requires a stable frozen environment. The Coastal was designed to appeal to stores like sporting goods shops, marinas, C-stores, gas stations and anywhere frozen bait can be sold. Stores carrying bait can maximize sales even when closed by taking advantage of outdoor placements and 24-hr accessibility.”
Noticing over the past several years how the bait & tackle market has changed, we feel that Bait & Tackle Vending Machines open up a great supplemental market for tackle shop owners, giving them a competitive edge over the big box stores. Our machines are for anyone who is looking for a part-time or full-time business.