BUSINESS: Oregon Diver

LOCATION: 228 N.E. Ward St.

EMPLOYEES: Family run, along with a dive instructor

HOW IT GOT STARTED: Owner Brian Neely became a certified scuba diver in 1983. He was working for Roseburg Lumber at the time.

Around five years ago, Neely trained to become a dive instructor. In 2002, he left Roseburg Lumber and opened Oregon Diver as a full-time operation.

“It’s one of those crazy things,” he said.

The shop was originally at 2896 N.E. Diamond Lake Blvd. and paired with the Roseburg Asian Store, owned by Neely’s wife Miriam. Both businesses ceased operation at their former location in January.

The Asian market was sold to another resident who plans to reopen it in Winston. Neely reopened Oregon Diver at 228 N.E. Ward St. on March 22.

WHO BUYS: Novices to instructors shop at Oregon Diver, and can also receive training.

“We train all the way through instructors here,” Neely said.

Training is twice a week for five weeks and led by dive instructor Chris Rice, who started diving with the Navy Underwater Dive Team in 1964. Oregon Diver training is certified by the Professional Diving Instructors Corp.

Neely said new customers are often made by people who are curious about diving and get hooked from the start.

“We make our own customers,” he said.

WHAT’S NEW: The location. The new shop is also not connected to any other businesses this time around.

“I wanted to have just a dive shop this time,” Neely said.

LAST WORD: Owning a “hobby business,” Neely said, allows them to play with all the latest technology and “toys” that the shop offers, from the Oceanic Atom dive computer and wrist watch to underwater scooters.

Anything to make the diving experience more enjoyable.

“It’s all about having fun — safely,” Neely said.

INFORMATION: 580-1717

 

	Oregon Diver
	228 NE Ward
	Roseburg, OREGON  541 677-9627