GREEN COVE SPRINGS – British property tycoon and founder of Land Securities Lord Harold Samuel once famously said the three secrets to business value are “location, location, location.”

He must have been thinking about the Black Creek Marina and Bait Shop.

Located on the southeastern foot of the U.S. Highway 17 bridge at the mouth of Black Creek, the small shop has a large clientele and an even larger reputation for having everything associated with fishing and boating.

“We get a lot of boats,” said owner Jon Hamilton. “We have the boat ramp right there, and we’re the busiest boat ramp in the county every weekend.”

Make that three boat ramps.

The marina also operates two boat slips – one only a few steps from the front door, the other on the southwest side of the bridge.

“We have live bait, live shrimp, minnows, shiners, crickets and worms,” Hamilton said. “And we’re the only bait shop open seven days a week.”

The marina has become a place where old friends sit in the shade and swap tales. On one slow Sunday afternoon on Aug. 25, 2024, three buddies – Joseph Bianco, Dwight McVey and Jay Oppenborn – were sitting at picnic tables when they heard the frantic screams of a family 120 yards out into the mouth of Black Creek and the St. Johns River. They jumped into a boat, sped to the scene and heard the broken English of a father, who said his 11-month daughter was trapped under a capsized See-Doo Switch pontoon boat.

McVey jumped into the brackish water, but after a couple minutes, he couldn’t find her. Clay County Fire Rescue Lts. Joe Hutchins and Thomas Gill, who miraculously were driving in opposite directions on U.S. 17 at the Black Creek bridge when they heard the call. They asked a father and son who were pulling away from the launch to take them to the overturned vessel. Although she was under water for more than 13 minutes, Hutchins and Gill rescued her. Other CCFR responders joined the effort and brought her back from death.

“We did all we could do, so we started praying,” Bianco said.

Vianca Grullon is alive today because of the heroic efforts by everyone. All three men will be joined by the father and son and members of CCFR who assisted in the improbable rescue during a special ceremony on Friday, May 1. They will also meet Vianca and the rest of her family.

The act of helping is contagious at Black Creek Marina. Hamilton said residents who live on the boats moored at the arena bring him and his wife, Kim, fish they caught during the week, and together they have a community cookout for as many as 40 people.

“We’re in a good spot,” Hamilton said. “There’s a lot going on here.”

Because Black Creek Marina and Bait Shop is in an excellent location.