New owners will reopen former Narby’s, a Point Breeze mainstay, in spring

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Narby’s Superette and Tackle will open in the spring under new owners. Jonathan Ross, center, and his partner Tara Webb have purchased the business. They stand here in front of the store at The Bridges with Ross’ son Ryland.

THE BRIDGES – One of the oldest businesses in Orleans County is about to enter its next phase with new owners.

Narby’s Superette & Tackle, located on Route 98 at The Bridges, has been purchased by Jonathan Ross and his partner Tara Webb. They also own Route 18 Tackle near Hamlin and Ross has owned a fishing charter boat at Point Breeze for nearly 20 years.

Ross said he had been eyeing the Superette for several years, and finally made the decision to purchase it following death of Sharon Narburgh last June. Sharon and her husband Bill purchased the store in the mid 1960s. After Bill died in 1992, Sharon continued to run the store and the tackle shop until shortly before her passing.

Ross said with owning a tackle shop a few miles away, he was concerned who his competition might be.

“When the price was right, we made our move to buy it,” Ross said.

Ross has a 15-year-old son Ryland, who he hopes some day will take an interest in the business.

“I plan to teach him the ropes as he grows,” Ross said.

Jonathan Ross, his son Ryland and partner Tara Webb stand outside the tackle shop at Narby’s Superette, which Ross and Webb have recently purchased. Ross and Webb are also partners in Route 18 Tackle near Hamlin.

Ross and Webb have big plans for grocery store and tackle shop. Ross is known for his development of the highly acclaimed Hawk’s custom salmon tackle.

“Last September one of our customers won the LOC Derby with it,” Ross said.

Ross also purchased the Narby’s name, but he is not yet sure how he will incorporate it into naming the new business.

“We plan to get the grocery store stocked back up, along with fuel, and build the tackle shop bigger than it ever was,” Ross said.

The upstairs apartment, where the Narburghs lived, will become an Airbnb for fishermen, Ross said.

Information online from the Orleans County Historian states the first business to open on Narby’s site was a post office in 1877. It became G.D. Fowler’s General Merchandise in 1888. It was also a post office until 1915, with the exception of four years in 1894-97. Several other owners followed prior to the Narburgh’s purchase.

And now the store is about to embark on another new chapter.

“We are planning a grand opening in the spring,” Ross said. “We know we’re going to have longer hours during the busy season. This whole year is going to be a learning year,” Ross said.