Want To Buy A Tennis Racquet?

Madison Tennis Hut launched a big sale Monday and they're selling more than just tennis raquets and tennis shoes. The whole store is for sale.

Most anyone in Madison who knows about tennis, knows Joe Giantonio and his wife, Kim Butun. They started the in 2007. They began in a small building off a parking lot, and later moved to the current location at 693 Boston Post Road in the center of town's retail district.

The shop has a good visibility, a good sized sign, a big window front, and does a decent amount of business, Giantonio says. But he also says it's time for him and Kim to move on. They're looking for someone to take over the business. In a recent conversation with Patch, here's what he had to say about why he started up the  business, what he likes best about it, and why it's time to go.

Q: Why did you decide to start up the  business?

A: We both though that the area did not have a good place for the public to go for tennis gear.  There are some area clubs that have a very small offering for their members, but that's about it along the shoreline and even inland. We have many customers that come in from Middletown, Meriden and many places north of us, as far as Rhode Island.

Q: What do you like best about running the business?

A: The great thing about this business is getting to know other tennis people.  If you take the time to get to know the person and what their needs are, it allows you to better help them.

Q: What is the biggest challenge of running the business?

A: The biggest challenge right now is trying to keep up with all the new equipment coming out.

Q: You clearly enjoy what you do. Why did you decide to sell the business?

A: We have put the business for sale because we are preparing to have an experience of living abroad for awhile.  Kim and I want to experience a different culture and climate for a few years. We are not sure yet about a specific location. We have looked at several possibilities in Central and South America. Kim has lived abroad before, but I never have and would like to experience that.

Q: What would you say to someone who is thinking about buying the business?

A: As a sport, tennis has grown steadily over the last 10 years, and continues to have momentum.  Madison is a great place to have a shop, as the people flow and walk-by is great. It is also an easy access from I-95, with simple directions to Madison Center.

Q: If someone is interested, who should they contact?

A: Interested parties can contact our real estate agent, Stan Kaplan with William Raveis in Madison.  His contact info is: Tel. 203-215-4828 or e-mail: kaplans@raveisre.com

Q: Other than traveling and exploring other cultures, what are your future plans?

A: As we are looking into our future move, I am currently looking for a short term project or involvement in an area business where I can participate in helping to build up or possibly a start up situation, for about a year term.

Q: If someone wants to find out more or talk with you about it, how can they contact you?

A: Any interested parties can contact me, Joe Giantonio at 203-996-7155 or via e-mail: joegiant@comcast.net