Today we’d like to introduce you to Troy and Cole Louis. Them and their team share their story with us below:
One day while shoveling snow out of our driveway in Illinois, Cole yelled out the window to Troy and said “I’m moving south!” to which Troy replied, “can I come with?” From there, we set out on a journey with our infant daughter in tow, scouting southern lake homes spanning from Oklahoma all the way over to the Carolina’s– traveling far enough south for a longer boating season, but not so far south that we had to swim with alligators. It was then we found beautiful Lake Greenwood and ended up building our dream home.
It was not our intention to move down to start a bunch of lake businesses–we were just looking for warmer weather. Cole’s initial idea was an “ice cream boat” where we would go out on the weekends during the summer selling novelty ice cream on a pontoon equipped with a freezer. We were exceptionally surprised by the reception we got (Cole even appeared on HGTV’s Lakefront Bargain Hunt at the request of one of our customers) that we started to brainstorm about other fun things we could bring to the lake community.
From there it “snowballed” into what it has become today– A lakefront restaurant/marina offering everything Fun On Lake Greenwood– a full-service gas dock and convenience store, restaurant, pontoon, and jet ski rentals, as well as a very unique floating water attraction called the Lake Greenwood Jungle Float. We’re delighted that we have been able to bring this to the lake, and every year after our season is over, we take some time to unwind and think about what other fun ideas we can do next year.
Our goal is to be a place where families can gather and have fun on Lake Greenwood, and this is the starting point for everything we bring to the lake.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We started small at first, but have been very open and receptive to customer feedback. If there is something we aren’t doing that someone suggests, we give it thoughtful consideration. If we can make it work, we give it a shot.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
It goes without saying, but we wouldn’t be what we are without our customers. Lake Greenwood has become a bit of a destination of sorts– with our customers coming from New York to California, Texas to Minnesota, and everywhere in between.
Contact Info:
- Email: cole@lakegreenwoodjunglefloat.com
- Website: www.skippersonlakegreenwood.com
- Instagram: @skippersonlakegreenwood
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skippersonlakegreenwood
Charlotte Berry
November 19, 2021 at 3:33 pm
Awesome People n Awesome Place I Love You Cole n your Beautiful Family
Harvie Nunn
November 19, 2021 at 7:09 pm
Good people, good food , good service. A welcome addition to the
lower end of the lake. Had the occasion to experience their level of service recently. The wife and I were out for a cool weather cruise. The tank was below half full so I pulled up to the dock at Skippers , not noticing they were not open. Cory , who I had never met, happened to be there. Helped us get the boat tied up, unlocked the pump and filled my tank for me. It wasn’t until I started to pay him that I realized , they weren’t ‘open’. He could have easily said ,’sorry, closed’. . . . He still took my money though . . . you thought the story would end differently didn’t you . . . 😂😂
Tina Johnson
November 20, 2021 at 12:14 pm
Love Skippers and him offering movies to watch in the summer!
Clare and Mike Reynolds
November 20, 2021 at 11:42 pm
It’s nice to have Skippers literally around the bend from us. We can sit on our pontoon and watch the fireworks on the 4th at our dock.