Coronado Golf Cart Rentals, a staple of Coronado’s tourist scene since 2013, is moving to a new, larger location on Orange Avenue in December, previously home to Emerald C Gallery.
The family-owned enterprise — helmed by Mike Matheny, founder of Coronado Golf Cart Rentals and its parent company, Sundance Custom Golf Carts in El Cajon, along with his daughter, Maisie Crum — began humbly with a single rental cart.
Matheny’s decision to establish roots in Coronado followed the success of his custom carts, whose appeal quickly grew among island residents through Sundance.
“We started with just one cart,” he said. “When that one was out, we were sold out.”
But demand quickly surged, driven by a steady influx of vacationers, especially from Arizona, who sought rentals months in advance for the busy Fourth of July season.
The company even takes to the streets during the Christmas season for its annual golf cart parade.
“We make up our own map, and cruise around the neighborhoods,” Crum said. “Everybody decorates their carts with lights and big dinosaurs on top — whatever they want.”
Today, it’s evolved into an operation with a dozen carts catering to locals and tourists alike.
A family legacy
The business operates through what Matheny describes as “separate lanes” for each family member, a division of labor that includes three of his five children.
Crum, who began working for her father at 17, is now the manager of Coronado Golf Cart Rentals.
Matheny’s oldest son, Luke, now oversees golf cart modifications and sales at Sundance. His youngest son, Addison, supports as a driver and service technician in Coronado.
“Having my children involved in the business has just given me a legacy that I love,” Matheny said. “Everything I do is for my kids. It [the business] is nice to have, but the bottom line is that I’m going to be able to leave this to them, and see them take it to another level.”
The decision to relocate came when the Mathenys’ current building on Isabella Avenue was sold, and they learned that the nearby Emerald C Gallery on Orange Avenue was set to close.
The vacant space offered a timely solution, giving Coronado Golf Cart Rentals room to expand on one of the town’s busiest streets.
“We were really able to start small and grow,” Matheny said. “We’ve definitely outgrown [the original location] and we’re ready for a much bigger space.”
