SW, I like those principles and would buy from you. the store i see you opening is one i have driven miles to shop at in ND, SD, KS etc. Where personal service is the most common good on the shelf. But then again I am pretty much law n order driven, regardless of whether that is game and fish related or otherwise. The thing that would worry me is the relatively small margins on sporting equipment. Friends in the business tell me that's why the big stores eventually become clothing stores. Good luck to you, and congrats on what I assume has been a fine career.

I know from your posts on here that you know hunt,fish,trap in and out.and honest..It would be a breath of fresh air in the outdoor sporting good business today.I wish you well Swampwolf in any of your endeavors..

Back in the late 80's then again 2-3 years ago I wanted to open what your talking about. First one was right on the Miss. river at the state line. Second one was in Southern Il. on a large lake with lots of camping and fishing. Either site should have been good to go. here is what I found.

It will take at least 250 grand to open. With the displays, stock, equipment, hired help and advertising. Now with that said I was going for a "one stop get all" type place. Fuel, food, tackle, camping supplies, hunting supplies, bait....etc etc etc.

Second was the time it will consume. Ya have to be there to watch over and run things from the start. IMO not a good retirement gig.

One of my ideas was to only stock American made equipment and advertise it hard. LOL You can stock on 1-2 shelves what you can buy American made. There is very little tackle made here anymore. That goes for camping equipment also.

I would love to have such a place, been a dream all my life, but no way now, not this ole boy. I have found other ways to keep myself busy, make a buck, and work at my own pace.