Rental and retail in one spot
Louise Bolger | Sun
Bob Shaffer shows the newly expanded area of
ABC Rentals that includes clothing, gifts and jewelry.
Remember the classic 1942 movie. "The Man Who Came To Dinner," about a dinner guest who never left? If you’ve lived in Florida for a number of years, chances are you’ve had your share of house guests and the stress that comes along with trying to accommodate them. Well now you can chill out, enjoy your houseguests and let someone else have the stress.
ABC Rentals in Holmes Beach has been in the business of providing rental items since November of 2002. Starting in Sarasota, Bob and Lynn Shaffer expanded their business to Holmes Beach and currently deliver all kinds of rental items from Venice to the north end of Anna Maria and east past I-75.
Like their trucks say, “We deliver everything but the baby,” and they’re not kidding. Approximately 75 rental items are offered mostly focusing on baby, toddler and beach needs maintained in their 5,000 square foot warehouse.
Their inventory includes cribs, port-a-cribs, toddler beds, rollaway beds, high chairs, car seats, booster seats, joggers, strollers, wagons, bassinets and air beds. They also stock pretty much anything you might need for the beach – umbrellas, beach carts, chairs, cabanas, toys, life jackets and the very popular beach wheelchairs.
The Shaffers are meticulous when it comes to cleanliness, every rental item goes through a professional laundering and sanitizing when returned.
In addition, Lynn sits on the board of the Juvenile Products Safety Commission, a national organization which promotes child safety products, keeping her on top of current child safety codes. ABC Rentals is also a member of the Child Safety Board a U. S. government agency.
However, ABC Rentals is so much more than just rentals. The Shaffers have expanded both their Sarasota and Holmes Beach stores to include a large range of clothing, gifts and jewelry. Bob Schaf fer says their message is to provide quality goods at a very reasonable price and their markup on inventory is only 25 percent.
The Holmes Beach store carries many exclusive lines of men’s and women’s clothing including Joe Marlin, Elan, Paradise and Maggie B. They also have shoes, sunglasses, reading glasses, jewelry, toys, lotions, scented oils, candles, hats and great gifts. The look of the shop is more boutique than beach shop, even its T-shirts are bling.
Inventory changes weekly, so checkfrequently to find unusual collections.
Stop by ABC Rentals and see how it has grown in 10 years. Manager Wanda Stills will introduce you to some terrific casual fashions and point out fun stuff and custom jewelry.
Don’t let your winter guests stress you out. ABC Rentals will provide the extra bed, high chair and beach supplies you need. And while you’re there, pick up a nice new outfit to really dazzle the crowd, Monty Woolley would be so impressed.
ABC RENTALS
S & S PLAZA
5352 Gulf Drive
Holmes Beach
941-778-3707
www.abcbabyrental.com
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed Sunday
Deliveries 7 days a week
MasterCard, Visa,
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