Just beyond the buzz of the St. Johns Town Center, where shoppers and diners fill the streets, a winding road leads to something unexpected.
St. Johns Industrial Parkway North doesn’t draw much attention. The pavement curves past a series of buildings until it reaches a tan structure with a blue and green sign.
It reads: Ponte Vedra Golf Carts.
Step inside, and the scene shifts. Red, blue and teal golf carts line the floor. There is even a golf cart with horns. The space hums with energy, a reflection of the man behind it all.
Turning a Passion into a Business
Chris Allen started Krazy Carts in the early 2000s for fun. He and his son raced golf carts at speeds over 100 miles per hour.
“I enjoyed it,” Chris recalled. “We would race them all over the country.”
That all changed during the economic crash in 2008. Chris eventually decided to go into golf carts full time to make sure his business was recession proof. He eventually bought Ponte Vedra Golf Carts from the previous owner, who was ready to retire.
Revving up with VyStar
Initially, Chris was renting a building for his business. However, he had ambitions for more.
He noticed a building two doors down for sale. He reached out to Steven Beyer, who is now the Branch Vice President at VyStar’s Kernan branch. They had already known each other for years after Chris opened personal accounts at the credit union.
“He helped me since Day 1,” Chris said. “I move anywhere he moves. Anywhere he goes, I go.”
This time, Chris asked Steven to help him get a VyStar Commercial Lending loan for the building he wanted to purchase. Steven connected Chris to R.J. Dailey in the Commercial Lending department, who worked to make the process seamless. The deal closed in just 30 days.
Growing his relationship with VyStar was even easier than Chris imagined.
“It was very painless,” Chris said. “Very quick and efficient and they’ve been great the whole time.”
Assembly Line of Possibilities
Today, Ponte Vedra Golf Carts has three locations, each full of golf carts waiting to be repaired or purchased.
Chris can often be found at the main warehouse on St. Johns Industrial Parkway. Around and around the golf carts go being repaired throughout the assembly line. Bumpers in black, white and teal line the walls inside the building. Chris walks the floor daily, inspecting progress and chatting with his team.
The carts serve a range of purposes. Some cruise golf courses. Others zip through neighborhoods. A few are customized for people with special needs claiming their independence to move freely.
“It’s an eye opener how much people really love their golf carts and rely on them,” Chris said. “It’s pretty cool that we can help them.”
Building a Legacy
Chris’ office is filled with family photos of him and his 26-year-old son, Chris Allen Jr.
“Every day I get to work with him,” Chris said. “Some people don’t get to see their kids a lot. I get to see mine every day.”
Next to Chris’ workspace sits his 5-year-old granddaughter’s tiny desk, covered with coloring books and scribbled papers.
“This is her job site as she calls it,” Chris said, smiling. “I hope that she’ll follow and work with her dad. I think that would be real nice.”
He hopes the family tradition continues.
“I’m taking care of my family pretty much,” Chris said. “I hope that follows along later down the road.”
Moving into the Future with VyStar
Chris isn’t slowing down. With VyStar’s help, he purchased five acres on State Road 16.
“We’ve been working steadily hard on this to get it done,” Chris said.
He’s preparing the land to properly accommodate the golf cart business. However, he has his sights on expanding the business outside the Jacksonville area to Lake City and St. Marys, Georgia.
“Expansion is good,” Chris said. “You have to do it the right way.”
From racing carts across the country to building a multi-location business, Chris’ journey has been anything but ordinary. With VyStar by his side and family at the heart of his operation, Ponte Vedra Golf Carts is more than wheels and engines. It is a story of legacy, connection and a future that continues to grow with every turn of the road.
This article is part of a series on local business members who have received support from VyStar. Read more stories.