#SaveNALU From New Owners Of Fripp Island Resort

On Saturday May 13th, 2023, NALU owner Ben Field made a public statement about the events at NALU Paddle Boarding — specifically, the attempts by the new owners of Fripp Island Resort to evict us. We met in front of NALU, at the end of the Fripp Island Marina.

Our event began at 3 p.m., and Ben spoke to the gathering at 4 p.m.

NALU also celebrated its 11th anniversary, and many people who have come to know and love this Fripp Island landmark joined us.

Our court date for the possible eviction is set for May 23, 2023, and we have setup a GoFundMe campaign to assist in this effort.

We need donations to help pay for:

Most of all, legal defense fees, to try to keep the new owners from evicting us.

Any attempts from the new owners to further damage our business.

We need your support!

Please help us in our hour of need!

We thank you for your friendship and support.

Thank you for everyone who came to support us, it means the world to us!

Together, we will try to defend NALU from those who are trying to take it away.

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

#SaveNALU

Best regards,

Ben

NALU | Owner

#SaveNALU From New Owners Of Fripp Island Resort - Public Statement

Thank you all for coming.

I am Ben Field, although a lot of you know me as Ben Jammin. I have owned and run NALU Paddle Boarding here at the Marina on Fripp Island for the last 11 years.

We are asking for your support in helping us defend our business from the new owners of Fripp Island Resort who are trying to evict us.

After the Resort tried to purchase our business for well under fair market value, they have decided to “make your life very difficult” and try to evict us under what we think are ulterior motives, claiming we are in default on the terms of our lease.

We have made payments consistently on our lease and we are up to date on all of our rent payments to the Resort.

After sacrificing, building, and working for the last 11 years, it has been my goal to build something truly great and to provide wonderful experiences and create lasting memories and joy for people from all over. We have made continuous efforts to make sure safety is a standard higher than no other and have installed systems to ensure great customer experiences.

I have invested 11 years of long hours and hundreds of thousands of dollars into this business to make sure it could be the best it could be for our customers, the Resort, and the community.

And now, with the new owners holding our business hostage by blocking any potential sale to another party and at the same time telling us they will evict us if we do not take their low offer, the new owners are denying us the reward for all the blood, sweat, and tears I have put into this business that has been the center of my adult life.

For the past 11 years, to my memory, we have never received any complaints from the Resort, in fact, we have received accolades from the Resort in addition to all 5-star reviews on Google.

Now, the Resort is trying to bully us, even threatening to “remove your merchandise/equipment and pad lock the premises” and “at your cost”. Since August of 2022, we have tried to settle with the Resort but their last offer was even lower than the previous offer, and the new owners of the Resort demanded that we vacate “immediately” despite the fact that we are right before the high season, that we have large amounts of equipment and inventory, and that we have made investments with the understanding that we would have until December 31st, 2025, which is the maturity date on our current lease.

After many attempts to resolve this with the new owners, we believe that there is little chance of coming to an agreement and we have said enough is enough and it is time to fight back.

We believe the new owners of Resort will NOT be able to run the business sufficiently, not to mention effectively, this close to the high season, potentially leaving the building vacant, especially given the complaints we have heard of their short staffing issues. We question whether their efforts here are really in the best interests of members, guests, and homeowners.

The best way to help us is to please, please, please DONATE to our cause!

We need donations to help pay for:

The more donations we get, the more it shows the new owners of the Resort of how people do not agree with their actions in using their power as a big guy trying to push out the little guy just because they think they can.

Many of you know me and know that I do not ask for help unless I really need it. Many of you have seen what work and sacrifice I have put into this business as I have dedicated my adult life to transforming a shed into a successful business focused on customer experience, supporting the community, and always making sure we are safe, courteous, respectful, and kind.

A lot of you have known me since working at the Bonito Boathouse as my first job 14 years ago, to working at the Cabana Club, to singing and playing guitar as Ben Jammin at the Beach Club (and occasionally at someone’s home). You have known me and seen me working at NALU Paddle Boarding for the last 11 years. You know me. You know that I would not be asking unless I needed your help.

We need your support!

Please help us in our hour of need!

Other ways you can help:

We have a court date set for May 23rd, 2023 for the possible eviction. Please check our Facebook for updates.

Together, we will try to defend NALU from those who are trying to take it away.

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your friendship and support over the years and having me in your Fripp Family.

#SaveNALU

Thank you.