Business spotlight: Much more to Bethel Island's Sugar Barge than banquet facilities

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

Name of business: Sugar Barge RV Resort and Marina
Type of business: RV Park and Boat Marina
Owners: Earl and Dave Riggs, father and son
Founded: 1995
Address: 1440 Sugar Barge Road, Bethel Island
Phone number: 925-684-9075
Website: www.sugarbarge.com
Hours: Open 24 hours (various seasonal hours for store and restaurant)

Number of employees: family-run, with number of employees varied depending on season

Products and services: Sugar Barge is a full-service RV Park and Marina with a banquet facility overlooking the Delta, 114 full-hook-up RV sites with Free Wi-Fi, tent camp sites, full- service marina and launch ramp. Sugar Barge also offers a tractor launching service, 24-hour fuel dock, fish cleaning station, covered berths.

For those interested in boating on the Delta, but don't own a boat, Sugar Barge has a wide selection of boat rentals available. They have patio boats, fishing boats, Waverunners, ski boats, kayaks and pedal boats.

Other services include an enclosed and covered boat and RV storage area and travel trailer rentals. The Sugar Barge Outdoor Bar and Grill is open during the summer season Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Labor Day Weekend. The restaurant is available for banquets all year long.

How did you get into the business: "RVing and boating have always played an important role
in Earl and Dave's lives," said manager Tracy Venable. "When they purchased the land 15 years ago, it was nothing more than a shut down membership RV Park."

The Riggs remodeled the RV park, built the entire marina, launch ramp, including boat slips. They also added the restaurant facility, boat and RV storage area and created the Sugar Barge Boat and RV Rental division.

Best part about the business?: "Owning a business that is in such a great location on the beautiful Delta and the friends that we've made along the way," Venable said. "It's so wonderful to start your workday in an outdoor environment where you're able to say 'Good morning' to the RVers that are out walking their dog with a fresh cup of coffee or chatting it up with the fisherman to see how the Bass and Striper are biting."

Venable went on to say that the beauty of the Delta is amazing with it's wildlife and beautiful sunsets.
"It's so much fun to watch the herons, river otters, hoot owls and other wildlife that are out here," she said. "Our motto at Sugar Barge is relax, enjoy and have fun. That's exactly what our guests do."
Worst part about the business?: Venable said she couldn't think of anything worse, especially in light of what the best part is.

Key to success: "Surrounding ourselves with a great friendly staff that help us to be successful," she said.

Biggest misperception about the business: Venable said that many people think that the Sugar Barge is only a restaurant. "Sugar Barge has so much to offer to so many people, young and old alike," she said.

She explained that Sugar Barge can offer a weekend camping with family, or gathering the neighbors to rent a patio boat together, taking a day off to go fishing or finding the perfect location with a view of the water for a wedding or private party.

Future plans: "We've just opened our banquet facility and are busy getting the word out," Venable said.
They are spending their time promoting their locations at festivals and events.

"We will continue to promote the Delta area," she said. "It's amazing how many people have no idea that the beautiful Delta is in their own backyard and ready for them to come out and have a great time."

-- Roni Gehlke