CDA: Meet Your North 40 Crew

We are excited to have finished our expansion out at the Coeur d'Alene North 40 Outfitters. You can expect big things from our crew out there. We are proud to introduce some of the people who will be working behind the scenes to keep our customers happy.

Renee, Apparel Lead

What's new after the CDA expansion?
"Well now that we will have 2X the floor space allocated to clothing, we are all really excited. I am especially excited about the high-tech brands we are getting in like Patagonia, Pistil and Mountain Hardware to name a few we've had many, many people come in asking us to expand our selection to match that of the Ponderay store- So now I am excited to be able to tell them, 'Here you go!' But what's cool is that with the expansion we have even more products available on the floor than Ponderay."

Do you have anything to say to our more traditional Farm and Ranch customers?
"Sure I do we have the same original classics, Wrangler and western shirts here in the clothing department- No matter high-tech our new lines, no matter how big the outside of our store gets, on the inside we're still going to take care of our traditional shoppers and continue to give them those products they've come to expect from us for the past 10-15 years- Plus I'd like to reiterate that it's the same teams it's always been on the floor we only changed our name so our customers could find us online and get the same great customer service they've come to expect on the floor. I mean, I've been here since the store was DNB we have some new faces to accommodate the floor space, but everyone, the owners I mean everybody is still the same."

What do you think your strength is in the clothing department?
Before I relate the answers to this question, I have to interject when Drew asked this question, we were both thinking "product lines," i.e. we thought she was going to say, "Our Ariat boots are the best lines I have seen in CDA." Instead, what she said made even more sense and showed me and Drew what it meant to be inspired by an employee

"Our strength in the clothing department is our team we've worked really hard building a camaraderie and genuine bond between our employees- Sometimes a person has a strength in an area maybe they wear Keens and a customer has a question we've built up an atmosphere where the customer's satisfaction is actually a team goal. I think it really shows when our customers come in there is always someone there with a smile and willing to help because when the team is genuinely invested in the customer experience, it's a lot more fun than just, 'Coming to work.' I've worked a lot of places in my career, but none that cares so deeply about their employees' success on the floor- maybe REI was comparable, but no other company I've worked for I'm proud of my team- That's our strength in the clothing department."

Chris, Archery Lead

What's New after the CDA Expansion?
After the expansion, I am really excited to get our customers set-up in the shop. I am passionate about people and also teaching. I can't wait to get people in here and start getting the CDA area and my customers here at North 40 ready to go hunting this season. Maybe they will want to shoot competition my team and I are here to help outfit whatever they need.

What are you excited about- any new products?
Xpedition Archery. This bow is - this new bow line is going to sell itself. I mean, I have experience hunting and shooting competitively, and Kevin Struthers had a hand in designing the Xpedition line and it's a cross between Struthers and a split limb like a Hoyt. It's built by an aerospace company- I mean come on whoever reads this- come in and check out these bows. They are extremely consistent shot to shot.

I am really excited to get people into the sport and help take those hovering on the edge between intermediate and advanced- past that benchmark. I am a passionate teacher and I think the team we have here is poised to really help get CDA hunters the depth of knowledge they need to expand their skill sets.

What's your background in archery?
I got into archery on an off chance in 1991. Before that, I was always a gun guy. Then one season my friend suggested it and I picked it up on a whim. After that I got exposed to some of the best techs and reps in the business and the Ben Avery complex was right by my house. In Arizona, where I picked it up, they have a 12 month bow season and I started competing in the late 90's early Oughts- Qualified for World's in 2001, then suffered an industrial injury that I thought would keep me out of the game for good so I gave all my bows away. After I finished rehabbing and physical therapy, I picked up a bow in 2005 and thought, "If I can draw this and not be in the hospital tomorrow, then I'll be good." I've been back in ever since.

Rick, Feed Barn

What's new after the CDA expansion?
We now have the Drive-Thru Barn located on the south end of the property... It's a barn where we store hay and more popular feeds and salt licks, so our customers can drive through and have us load their items. It's a lot more convenient and the customers have all liked it much better. A clean, functional setup.

Do you have anything to say to our more traditional Farm and Ranch customers?
With the expansion, we've been able to bring in more options to our popular brands of Powder River, King Kutter and Tarter products just to mention a few. This will give our more traditional customers a wider selection on the names they know and have come to trust. Many more products from the same traditional suppliers they're used to- plus, with the additional space, we are now in the process of putting up alleyways and squeeze chutes to demo. Now when our customers come in, they get a good look at what they are actually buying.

What's your favorite aspect of the CDA North 40?
I love working with the people here. The team is so deep, everyone has such diverse backgrounds of knowledge that at any given time, there's someone who can answer any questions our customers have. And that's the same for employees too if I have a question, I am excited to get in to work and ask someone, I know it will get answered. My favorite aspect would have to be the local knowledge and expertise- I challenge our customers to come in and ask us something. We'll get the information for you.

Background: 
I've been in construction all my life- and for 15 years I doubled dipped and worked on various Nascar teams- I love anything in the outdoors, and my wife and I have dogs, cats, horses and Lowline Angus cattle- our ranch lifestyle fits in with the North 40 vision and mission, "OUTFITTING WORK AND PLAY". In two months our middle daughter is getting married and it just brought tears to my eyes thinking about it, but that's another reason why it's so cool working for North 40, because on Sunday we close at 5, so we are able to go home and spend time with our families. You can tell it's a family run outfit.

Stu, Gun Counter Lead

What's new after the remodel in CDA?
Well the level of professionalism in our workforce has always been a constant, but after the remodel, we brought on some new people and it seems to have just grown. The people back here know their stuff and they are willing and able to help customers get the right guns. Whether that's a child's first hunting rifle, or someone looking to expand what it is they hunt, we have the knowledge in our employees to get the right solution the first time.

What's a product you're excited about?
I am really excited about the Kel-Tec RMR 30. It's a semi-automatic .22 caliber gun and is going right now off market for around $650. We are offering it and way below that price, so I wouldn't be surprised to see these move really quick.

Background:
Well our team is specialized and diverse. I am an NRA certified counselor for 40 years. Ray back here is from the gun library and can answer almost any question about older calibers and reloading. Chris is a three gun competitor, and then we got the new kid- he's here to soak it all up and he is excited to learn. Myself, I am a former Sheriff's Deputy and an NRA teacher. I am passionate about helping people to find the right solution when it comes to firearms. I am also a mentor for the Youth Duck Hunt in Sandpoint.

Denver Rathbun, Fly Shop Manager

What's your story?
Born and raised on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Western Montana; I have been fishing in one form or another since childhood. Since my inception, this sport has played an integral role in many of my life decisions and is directly responsible for at least two extra years of college, a perpetual lack of sleep, and a constant pull to be on the water. My preoccupation has only grown over the past thirteen years and I've used it to hone my skills on my home waters, across the Northwest and beyond.

What are you excited by as you open the new fly shop?
I'm really looking forward to meeting the fishing community of North Idaho and opening the doors for anglers to shop the new facility. The Coeur d'Alene store will be unique amongst our shops and provide some new opportunities for anglers in this area. We've worked hard to ensure our customers won't be disappointed when we open up shop.

What product Lines are you looking forward to showcasing?
I'm excited to showcase our whole inventory! We're fortunate to have an incredible array of products available to our customers. We take pride in having a well-developed inventory of tying materials, gear, and flies specific to each location. We also try to offer something for everyone's budget. We carry an awesome line-up of premium products as well as gear for the angler not looking to break the bank.

What is it about fly shop life you are excited to share with our customers?
Local intel, product knowledge, and customer service! We're here to provide a helpful, pleasant experience with folks that share our passion. Opening the doors each morning, we look forward to the stories and interactions with anglers of all skill levels.