In 1969, Bruce Burgess opened the doors to The Rigging Shoppe Limited in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. A well-stocked 1000 square foot marine retail store located at 1197 Ellesmere Road, just east of Midland Avenue.

Bruce also owned and operated Seaway Spars in Scarborough from 1975. Here he assembled masts, booms, standing and running rigging for Canadian boat builders including Northern, Goman, Halman and P.D.Q. At its peak production, Seaway Spars was building over 500 masts per year.

The early 80’s saw a decline in Canadian boat building, and thus a decline in the demand for locally built masts. The Burgess’s decided to move the retail store and the mast assembly shop under one roof at 1782 Midland Avenue in 1989.

In 1993 the business was relocated to where it operates today, 44 Midwest Road, just off the west side of Midland Avenue, north of Lawrence Avenue.

Bruce and his wife Shirley worked full-time in the business until 1998.

In 1989, with many summers of part-time work to her credit, their daughter, Carolyn Burgess, began working full-time at the shop. In 1998 Carolyn’s husband Rick Murray started at the shop.

Bruce and Shirley now spend their time at their home near Kingston, Ontario.

Carolyn and Rick continue to offer the same degree of customized service that Bruce Burgess was famous for. They lead a team of staff that understand boats and their associated parts intimately. Whether you are a first time boat owner of a used powerboat or a competitive one-design sailboat racer, The Rigging Shoppe can service you on all of your boating accessory requirements. Our recommendations will assist you in enjoying your next boating season.