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Laura “Ippi” Ippoliti, a Franklin native, owns, and runs, Ippi’s Bait & Tackle in Wyoma Square.  Prior to Ippi’s, she worked with electron microscopes. In multiple countries, some in South America, she installed, repaired and trained customers on electron microscopes, as well as the x-ray analysis equipment attached to them.  Some of the customers in the industry made golf clubs and fishing rods; they would analyze stress fractures and the elements that made up the material, always driving for stronger but yet lighter materials. In 2002, Ippi's position was eliminated and her company has since left the state. Undeterred, Ippi pursued her dream to own a bait & tackle shop; Ippi has fished all her life. 

            Although she never owned a business, 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 Bait & Tackle.  She met with distributors and worked out accounts with multiple companies.  Ippi only fills her shop with items she is confident will 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 following are some of the fish she weighed: the 2004 Mass Gold Pin Award Winner for White Perch -13 lb 12.4 oz, the 2004 Mass SaltWater Fishing Derby Winner for Cod- 35 lb 6 oz(Junior), and the 2005 Mass SaltWater Fishing Derby Winner for Cod- 76 lb 6 oz(Men).  It was hard in the beginning for the male customers to accept her as owner of the shop and accept her fishing knowledge.  However, that didn't bother her a lot; she received the same treatment for 20 years in the electronics industry. Customers come to her for fishing techniques, to find out where the fish are biting, and to learn the basics of fishing if they have never fished before.

Ippi runs free “Kids Fishing Derbies" in the summer months.  During derbies, Ippi teaches kids, and some adults, how to fish and to respect wildlife; winners receive fishing tackle.  “Adult” Derbies are money derbies and have a mixture of adults and kids; the winner receives the money and sometimes the only winners are kids! 

Ippi helps raise funds for cancer research when she walks in the annual Medway Relay for Life. Ippi is an active member of Lynn Fish & Game Protective Association Inc, Sluice Pond Association, Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce, and Wyoma Square Improvement Association.  Ippi’s has made a slight profit since it's 2^nd year and helps sponsor an East Lynn Baseball Team.