Mystic - A new West Marine boat-supply store will open Friday at the corner of Maritime Drive and Coogan Boulevard, across the street from Mystic Aquarium.

The new 13,000-square-foot store, significantly larger than the previous 8,000-square-foot location on Clara Drive, is at the site of a former overflow parking lot for the aquarium.

"It's a beautiful building that encompasses the nautical lifestyle of the community, with thousands of items including boats, boat parts, apparel and waterlife accessories," said store manager Travis Chamberland in a statement.

With 5,300 square feet of boating products and another 3,000 square feet of apparel and accessories, the new store also includes an engine parts counter, fishing gear, marine electronics and other water-related products such as kayaks, paddleboards and paddling accessories.

West Marine said the store is geared to both locals and tourists. Top nautical brands will include Helly Hansen, Guy Harvey and Columbia.

Store hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, with shortened 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. hours on Sundays.

The new store is launching less than four years after West Marine opened its first Mystic location in the McQuade's Marketplace shopping plaza.

West Marine has nearly 300 stores in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. For more information, go online to westmarine.com or call 1-800-BOATING.

l.howard@theday.com

Twitter: @KingstonLeeHow