After three decades of being the favorite spot for many area divers, Aqua Hut Dive and Travel closed its doors for good on September 30, writes Richard Ilgenfritz for the Main Line Media News.

Owners Christine Vilardo and Richard McGarvey have decided that it was time to leave the business aspect of their hobby behind and get back to the fun of diving.

“Now we’ll have time to go diving for fun,” said Vilardo. “We’ll have time to get together with divers for happy hours or have cocktails – do the fun part, which was the reason we got into it in the first place – to travel and hang out with fun people. We are looking forward to having time to do that now.”

She added that the shop was not closing due to the pandemic.

While the store has had its challenges in the last 18 months, such as operating under restrictions, it was not COVID-19 that made them decide to retire, but the desire to be able to truly enjoy diving once again.

“Watch for news of social events and warm water dive trips to resume in the not too distant future!” says their Facebook page.

Read more about Aqua Hut Dive and Travel in the Main Line Media News.