Lewiston Grand Opening
Gina Beck, Clothing Lead
"I've been here since Big R bought D & B Supply-I was a key holder there, a lead, as you call it. It's always a nervous time when companies change hands I mean for employees, you never know what's going to happen, who's going to stay, who's going to go- It wasn't like that when North 40 took the reins. As former D & B Supply employees, we were already 'family.'
It was that treatment that really made an impression on me I know Renee from our CDA store, we talked and shared the same experience that feeling that right away, the store and the management, they were all invested in us it really felt like the company was 'our company.' Now I've been here for 4 years, and I wouldn't want to work anywhere else.
With this expansion, I've gone from having 6 employees to 16... and our clothing floor space? Almost the same size as the entire store before the move- it's a little nerve wracking, but everyone is really excited to get out there and help our customers find the apparel they need.
Personally, I am genuinely amazed at the product selection. We literally have everything for the everyday fish/hunt/ranch/farm person- I'm a hunter; I love going out and filling my elk tags, so the sporting goods expansion is amazing.
Plus, right next to that department, you can get pet food and small animal vaccines we are truly a one stop shop now."
Roger Virgin, Archery Lead
"I've been into archery since I was 8 years old, so let me see I am 52 now- so I guess I've been into archery for a while now." That's was how this interview opened with Lewiston's Archery Lead and Idaho Archery Education teacher, Roger Virgin.
A rather unassuming character, he's got big ideas for the new archery pro shop just opened at the new North 40 Outfitters location.
Roger has extensive experience as an educator and a 4H lead, "I'm really excited to get the local community involved and to get the youth around Lewiston into shooting. I'm an archery education teacher, so I have experience getting people started, but it's not just young kids either I have the most fun getting adults into the sport, too."
When I asked him what he was most excited about with the new location, he was quick to respond, "We've got so much space here, and our team is built and ready to go. There is nothing we can't do for our customers, and that's everyone from ultra-techie 3D shooters to the back country hunter."
Joe O'Brien, Fly Shop Manager
I got to talk to Joe recently about the Fly Shop opening in Lewiston, Idaho. Needless to say, he was pumped to be in the place and setting up the new shop.
"We are the only full service fly shop inside the Lewiston City limits. It's what we, as well as Lewiston, have been missing as a fly shop, that steelhead contingency. And with this opening, we are finally locking it up in the Northwest. We do everything now, and we've selected a unique inventory line here in the Lewiston fly shop with products specifically geared for the local steelheaders."
I asked him who he hopes to get into the shop, "Although we can help everyone, I'm especially excited to serve the locals, the working-class, everyday down to earth folks. There is always people around who, given the opportunity to enjoy our sport really do. They just haven't had the exposure. I really want to get more people out on the water with spey rods. You know, light the fire, like someone did for me."
His favorite piece of gear? "Olympic Peninsula Skagit Tactics, a really cool company out of Seattle, who have developed a couple of really game changing products in the spey world, like their Lazar running line. As well as Aqua Flies a really niche company tying some of the coolest swing flies out there."