West Marine, Inc.has announced a relationship with East Marine Denizcilik & Turizm A.S. to open its first franchise store in Istanbul, Turkey.  An ardent sailor and industrialist, Mr. Rahmi M. Koç is the Chairman and controlling shareholder of East Marine. 

The new West Marine store in Turkey, located at Kumlar Caddesi No: 8 Kartal, is set to open in July 2008.  It's part of a multi-store development agreement for Turkey.  Istanbul, located on the Bosphorus Straight, straddling Europe and Asia, is surrounded by the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara, making it an ideal location for a West Marine store.  Other locations are being identified along Turkey's Aegean and Mediterranean coasts.  

"We view this as a tremendous opportunity to leverage the West Marine brand and expertise with East Marine's international experience," said Geoff Eisenberg, CEO, West Marine. "We believe franchising has enormous potential and we look forward to growing our international sales and presence with our respected partner."