It's a fresh start for Scuba Adventure.
The long established business in Jefferson City is under new ownership at a new location.
Chris Heitman purchased the business last June, turning his favorite hobby into a side business, as Heitman is already employed as the Maries County sheriff. He said he quickly took the opportunity when it arose as he loves to scuba dive.
"It's the only thing I do to relax," Heitman said.
Last month, the business moved to its new home at 2200 E. McCarty St.
The move was necessary - or so Heitman thought at the time. The business had been located at 623 Clark Ave., where it moved in spring 2019 after a fire at the former location on Jefferson Street. But in December, a planned project for a roundabout at the Clark Avenue and Dunklin Street intersection changed scope, with Jefferson City staff advising that the city would need to take a portion of the property where Scuba Adventure was located.
While the project was eventually scrapped by the Jefferson City Council, Heitman had already secured a new site for the business.
Heitman said he's amazed at how many people don't realize the business exists or that they can scuba dive without even leaving Mid-Missouri. He said he organizes trips in Eugene, Rolla and locations in Illinois. A few weeks ago, he said, he took 32 people to scuba dive in Honduras.
Scuba Adventure offers diving classes, sells and rents diving equipment, and organizes diving trips around the region, as well as four ocean dives per year. He said many of the classes can even be used to earn college credit.
Heitman's passion for scuba comes through as he describes watching people dive for the first time and seeing the awe and wonder in their eyes. All it can take is 20 minutes, he said, and they have an experience they'll be talking about for the rest of their lives.
"It's so rewarding," Heitman said.
Scuba Adventure is open 11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call Scuba Adventure at 573-634-3483.
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