Local Outdoor Store
Just putting some feelers out to gauge interest in a local fishing/hunting/outdoor store. I see there used to be one on rt46 across from Autozone but I understand the fellow died and the property just sits vacant. I believe that the closest store like this is Ramsey over in Ledgewood. Any feedback would be great!
LJRubi There was also one across the street from the quick chek on Mountain Ave that went out of business recently (Straco III?). There is a store that deals firearms on main st. Walmart and target both have sporting goods sections. Bait can be purchased at several local stores.
A little further off in Washington there is the highway sports shop on 31
So there are several options in the area already. It would be a tough sell IMO.
Some Guy (Art) Besides the one on Rt 31that Art mentioned there is an archery store on Rt 57 not far from Warren County Community College. There is also Shannon's Fly Fishing in Califon.
Hot under the collarYes, I hate to admit it, but I agree it would be a tough sell. Especially if it's small. A small shop would be competing against all the other small shops in the vicinity (listed by Art above), AS WELL AS against the small departments at Wal-Mart and Target.
Of course, Ramsey and Dicks are a whole 'nuther ballgame.
Just my opinion, but you'd have to really find some kind of niche market (for example, there's a kayak place in Washington, on Rt57, and it's the only one I know of around here).
JeffersonRepub There's also 206 in Andover there's Simon Peter Sport Company.
It would be nice - many small shops have variety you just can't find at walmart and a like and many things like lures aren't something I ever feel comfortable buying online without seeing them - but I'm not sure how big the market
alpha1beta Hackettstown Guns and Ammo (altho I've seen better than their prices), there's a place out in ... Great Meadows I think...right on Rt46.... that sells firearms. Then the truck repair shop in Glen Gardener on Rt31 (you'll never beat his prices)
Not trying to discourage you, just making sure you're aware of what's around here....
Don't forget Sitting Dog in Oxford sells guns and ammo too. I believe Strictly Archery sells a small supply of tackle as well as archery supplies.
Calico696 I know Jim Flynn out on 31 has great prices and we have Red Dot and Simon Peter for firearms as well. The place in Great Meadows is more of a tactical rambo joint. Looking really to cater to the local Hackettstown/Mount Olive area for good fishing and hunting supplies. Firearms would lean more towards the clay sports crowd. Also things that are tough to find locally like AR lowers and such. Again, trying to focus on this area so people aren't driving 30+ minutes to get to a shop.
Andover Hunt & Fish was one of my go-to places when I lived up there.
Nice shop run by a younger guy with a decent selection of firearms, bows, fishing gear, bait, etc. The only other bait shop I know if is Bait & Boat in Stanhope.
Was never a big fan of Simon Peter... at least for the attitudes behind the firearms counter.
Walmart is OK for fishing tackle. Hardly any hunting/firearms stuff in NJ. Target is pretty much a joke for sporting goods (other than "ball" sports).
I wouldn't make too much of an investment selling AR lowers in NJ... you'll be legislated out of business pretty soon... NJ is on the path to go full stupid with gun control once there's a Democrat governor.
Mark Mc. If u build it they will come... County line was a nice little store.. Jeff who owned it was a nice guy.. That being said I'm sure a nice stocked store with nice people running it could do pretty well!!! If not we need a couple rub n tugs !! So we can complete our transformation to warren county Dover!! Lol
Mr. Tone I have never cared for Simon Peter...either attitudes or prices, but County Line (the one that used to be on 46 in Htown) was a great store and did good business for a number of years.
I don't think anyone would get rich with that type of store, but you certainly could make a living.
Bemused I know the BID has been trying to get a sporting store to come to town for a long while. it's on their wish list. The old Marshalls next to Lowes would be a perfect fit for a good size store. Anything smaller and you might not separate yourself from Walmart's selection or the other small area stores.
darwin A quality fishing, hunting and outdoors store would do well in H-town simply because there is nothing else nearby that has a great selection. The old stores (county line) did well they just closed because of other issues. Nearby stores like Simon Peter, Andover hunt and fish and Hiway sport shop do well. So if H-town people could use a store in town rather then drive to the others it should be a success if run properly.
I for one would buy fishing supplies there. I used to go to the county line when they were open. I hate anything that cuts into my fishing time! especially driving to ledgewood.
There is a reason that all of the traditional hunting and fishing stores are closing. They just can't compete with places like Cabela's and all of the online options. Tackle shops are able to survive down at the shore because the variety of baits are so important for saltwater fishing. Shops with a good archery department can survive Because there's a need for good local bow mechanics. Otherwise, good luck. The hay Day for local sports shops are behind us.
gadfly I don't know Gadfly... I've spent a few thousand on guns at the local shops. Never bought a gun from any big box stores... I think there's a market for both.
Go to Andover Hunt & Fish and Garrett will tell you what's biting and where... Cabela's (or Walmart, etc.) may not even know the name of the nearest lake.
The Owl's Nest in Pohatcong still does a ton of business too. Given a well thought-out business plan and a specific niche in the market, it can definitely be viable.
Like bemused said, you probably won't get rich, but you can be your own boss and make a living at it., certainly
ianimal Didn't Ramsey's move from Rt 46 over to the mall on Rt 10? Pretty sure its there in the strip of stores that sits behind the square block where Kohls and Planet Fitness are. At least, we were in there last summer for camping equipment and to price kayaks. Maybe things have changed since then.
hktownie I miss county Line, a good local shop that carries a good assortment of quality items
hunting and fishing, some clothing. build it and they will come!!!
My colleague and I would live to acquire and reopen the county line sports shop and stock it with quality hunting and fishing gear, with great customer service and know how, but we need to hear from you all. Would you like to have something local? What would you like to see in a local shop?
We can only compete with the big box stores by carrying higher quality equipment and greater knowledge. Places like Ramsey, Cabela's, and Efingers are all more than 10 miles away, with all of the places you can fish and hunt much closer. Let us hear what you would want. We would love to get started on this in the coming months and be open by next spring. Thanks!
Dave and Dan Loved County line - Would love to see it reopen. fishing gear, reel re-spooling, fishing licenses, bait (there is no where close to get bait), some of the best fishing in the state is in our backyards. I am not a hunter, but hunting gear and supplies would work.......I for one would be a frequent visitor to your establishment!!!!!!!!!!
If you sold good fishing equipment and had a good selection of live bait (shiners, herring , fatheads, etc) you would have my business.
You can get bait at Hackettstown Pet on Main Street.
I'm all for a sport shop for sure.
Greg All the places you mentioned have way more than just hunting and fishing stuff.
CraftBeerBob @LJ: Shannon's in Califon is popular for all things fly fishing, mentioning in case you are not aware of it. They seem to be very successful.
OnTheEdge My opinion is that the town cannot realistically support such a store. It's a somewhat out-of-the-way spot (it's not like it's next to Shop-Rite, where so many people go regularly, or at a tourist area on a big lake), and you simply won't attract enough customers to make a reasonable profit and stay in business. The big-box chains can simply offer more stuff for less money, and just about everything is available online for less than you could charge. Yes, you'd get a few regular people stopping in for live bait and licenses and such, during the season, but it wouldn't be enough to make the business profitable. And ultimately, it would just go out of business again.
I'd suggest you look to locate such a business elsewhere (if at all), or look into a business more appropriate for the area.
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