Gift store aboard historic LST now open for business

July 11, 2007
By Robert C. Burns
Muskegon Chronicle

"Attention all hands ... the ship's store is now open!"

Actually, they're calling it the LST-393 Gift Shoppe, but the idea is the same.

Just as every Navy ship has a place for the crew to buy essentials like toothpaste, this Navy tank landing ship from World War II -- now a Muskegon tourist attraction -- is selling T-shirts, postcards and other souvenirs to visitors.

The shop opened last month on the LST's tank deck, selling T-shirts, ball caps, Navy white hats and coffee mugs, all with the LST-393 logo, and a variety of military and patriotic items.

Hours are normally 1-4 p.m., although it opens earlier on weekends.

Among the store's hottest sellers are de-activated 50-mm bullets priced at $3.50 each.

"I think it's really interesting, personally," said 9-year old Gerritt Immink, who purchased one of the 5-inch-long brass bullets while visiting the ship with his family from Troy on Friday.

Camouflage "Special Operations" bracelets are also hot sellers at $1 apiece, as are camouflage binoculars at $2.

There also are a variety of action figures, toys, models and similar items for children, some priced as low as 25 cents, plus pop, chips and candy.

Four North Muskegon women were recruited to operate the shop, assisted by 16 volunteers. They are Jo Ann Bos, Margaret Wickham, Mary Wygant and Barb Weikel, whose husband, Dan, is president of the LST-393 Preservation Association.

Weikel said work is to begin soon on cutting open the tank doors in the bow of the ship, which will become the main entrance to the military museum taking shape inside. The shop then will be combined with a ticket office near the entrance.

The shop was set up with a $1,000 loan from the association, plus $800 in private donations. When fully established, it will help with the ongoing restoration effort.

© 2007 Muskegon Chronicle. Used with permission