Laura “Ippi” Ippoliti, a Franklin native, owns, and runs, Ippi’s Bait & Tackle in Wyoma Square. Prior to Ippi’s, Laura worked with electron microscopes, a diminishing trade worldwide. Laura’s position was eliminated and her company has since left the state. Undeterred, Laura pursued her dream to own a bait & tackle shop; Laura has fished all her life. 

Although she never owned a business, Laura (Ippi) knew she could make it work and that Lynn desperately needed a bait & tackle shop. She did a brief internship at Winchester Fishing, prior to taking on Ippi’s. She met with distributors and worked out accounts with multiple companies. Ippi only filled her shop with items she was confident would provide results. Unlike other bait shops, Ippi’s has a modified lobster tank created from her specifications; customers state her shiners are livelier than others’, due to the tank! Ippi’s is an official Mass weigh station; the 2004 Mass Gold Pin Award Winner for White Perch weighed it in at Ippi’s.

Ippi runs free “Kids Fishing Derbies” spring through fall. During derbies, Ippi teaches kids, and some adults, how to fish and to respect wildlife; winners receive fishing tackle. “Adult” Derbies have a mixture of adults and kids; sometimes the only winners are kids! 

Ippi helped raise funds for cancer research in Medway’s Relay for Life. Ippi is an active member of Lynn Fish & Game Protective Association Inc., Sluice Pond Association, and Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce. Ippi’s made a slight profit in its second year and hopes to sponsor a youth sports group in the future.