Selwyn Mayor Sherry Senis also offered congratulations, highlighting the family-owned business’s resilience, adaptability, and long-standing role in supporting both local families and the wider regional economy.
“Reaching 80 years is no small achievement,” she said, pointing to the “strong family values and trusted relationships built for both generations.”
Inside Paris Marine, those relationships have always been central. The dealership has grown from its early days selling wooden boats and outboard motors into a modern operation focused on boats, personal watercraft, parts, service, and storage. Through it all, the focus has remained the same.
“We’re so lucky to be in a pleasure business,” Deborah said. “People are happy to come and pick up their boats and to get out on the water. Having that and being able to contribute to their memories on the water, it’s a lot of hard work, but we’re happy to do it.”
She also reflected on how quickly time passes, encouraging people to make space for real moments away from screens.
“We need to find little moments to spend with our families, to make memories,” she said. “And you can’t do that behind a screen. You need to do that out on the water.”
Looking ahead, she said the business is well positioned for continued growth, supported by a strong team and an evolving industry.
“We’re so fortunate to be in such an agile position,” she said. “We can grow, we’re always looking for new opportunities, but we have such a great team that the sky’s the limit.”
Eighty years in, Paris Marine remains exactly what it has always been at its core, a family business built on water, work, and community, with its next chapter already underway.
