Ken's Tackle Shop: The Reel Story

Thames Street, once the thumping heartbeat of Groton, has undergone transitional times.  Many of the local storefronts are battened up as if preparing for an elemental beating.  One could play connect-a-dots with the realty signs posted along the river; yet the few existing businesses on the street are steadfast, but not without challenges along the way.  Ken’s Tackle Shop, owned by Dorothy Streeter is one of them. 

Opened in 1957 by Dorothy’s parents Callie and Kenneth Streeter, the business was intended as a hobby for Ken who was an avid fisherman and engineer at Electric Boat.  Callie kept the business running and when Ken died in 1962, Dorothy left her job in security at Electric Boat to help run the business.

“I realized the store was not making money, so I bought it, took it from the momma poppa look and turned it into a paying proposition,” says Streeter.

Ken’s is now a pure reflection of Dorothy.  The visual merchandising is handsome, the display cases contain merchandise resting on polished river rocks and the store even stocks a pink fishing rod.

Streeter, fiercely independent and tenacious, is a successful working woman who was able to turn a sinking business into a moneymaker.  A Groton resident, Fitch graduate and sister to Groton Town Mayor Jim Streeter, she attended New London Business College.  She grew up preparing dinner nightly for her working family and enjoyed time on Eastern Point Beach.  

In the 70’s, Streeter suffered a broken wrist and developed a rare disorder called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome.  Doctors recommended full amputation of her arm, but she opted for a series of controversial shock treatments and arduous physical therapy instead. In 18 months, she almost fully restored use of her arm.

Ken’s location has shuffled around Thames Street like a chess piece over the years, both advantageous and eventually tragic.  Streeter initially moved the business to gain a better location, three months before her previous location burned to the ground.  But then disaster struck.  Five years ago, a basement fire engulfed Ken’s, taking all inventory, memorabilia and irreplaceable antique fishing merchandise.

“When the fire started and we were told to get out of the building, the flames were coming up through the floors,” recalls Streeter.

After two years of overcoming numerous obstacles regarding the fire, Streeter regenerated, found a new space and rebuilt the business from the ground up.  In the process she received support from customers; some sent a financial contribution (which she gracefully declined) and others stopped by to donate a hand in the remodeling of her current space. 

Running a tackle shop as a woman was not always easily accepted by male clients and salesmen. But Streeter earned customers' respect, and as a result, they came to value her knowledge.

Today Streeter keeps a busy schedule, maintaining her 1877 French cottage, antiquing, power walking and running a business.  Like many other small business owners, Streeter hopes to weather the rough economic climate.

"If you can get by a fire you can get by just about anything." admits Streeter.  "I’m just not a person who gives up easily."