YORK– Location, timing, and a good staff are keys to any successful business. Jamie Dodd, owner of Dodd RV in York County, said he’s lucky to have all three, which is why he’s expanding the family business to include boats this spring.
“It’s been an idea for three, four years,” he said of opening Dodd RV and Marine in a former Dodge dealership on Route 17, just south of his RV site and on the opposite side of the highway. “This location was near perfect for us. Things are just kind of working out right now.”
He doesn’t have a specific date for the opening, but when it does open, the new business will offer new and pre-owned boats, along with RV and boat service. The focus will be on pontoon boats, at least in the beginning, and a few already are on the lot.
In the past 10 years, Dodd RV has experienced “constant double-digit growth,” he said. That trend, he expects, will continue with RVs and boats.
“Both of those products are very popular with folks in this region,” he said.
With so much water in the area, Dodd said it only makes sense to branch out.
“This area is conducive to boating,” he said, adding a number of his RV manufacturers also build boats.
Dodd RV was founded by Jamie’s father, George, in 1956. Jamie has been the owner for about 20 years, but joined the business in the early 1990s. He’s especially proud that this second-generation, family-owned business has been able to survive all these years. The business celebrated its 67th year in January 2022.
“It’s a pretty significant accomplishment when most small businesses have a life of about seven years,” he said.
He knows it’s been a team effort, and continues to be one.
“We’ve got an incredible group of players,” he said, noting Dodd RV general manager Mike McNeil is “a huge, huge part of our continued growth.”
Dodd, who said the best part of his job is helping families make special memories, knows RVs have been the company’s backbone for decades. However, with trends in boating usage and purchases on the rise, this opportunity is coming at an exciting time, and he has an excellent location.
“We have a lot of water, rivers, lakes, the Chesapeake Bay, the ocean,” he said in a tone that conveyed his longing to be out there.