Outdoors & More to host Grand Re-Opening on July 13

CRESCO - Growth is good! Sometimes, when you outgrow a facility and need a better location, you just need to make it happen! That’s exactly what Todd and Amy Stephenson did over the past several months, relocating their business to downtown Cresco North Elm. 

Outdoors & More, Inc. recently made their move from 115 3rd Ave. West to 220 North Elm Street, purchasing the old Cresco Bicycle Shop, where the former owners retired. 

The good news was . . . it was not a very far move! The old building is located just out the back door, where the Stephenson’s will continue to use for storage and eventually other opportunities. 

Having opened in early June, the new building displays an assortment of guns, rifles, ammo, knives, scopes, binoculars, outdoor gear, outdoor wear and so much more! 

“We really needed the extra room,” stated Todd Stephenson, who expanded his business from a small internet site over 25 years back, to the former location  just over seven years ago and now to Elm Street.  “It’s amazing how this has grown from a little hobby business in the late 90s, to what we offer today.” 

Stephenson said that when they first opened their little retail shop in the old building, located behind Billmyer Furniture, he was going to just use it for warehousing to alleviate all the retail items he had in storage at his home.  He eventually decided to sell retail out of that location, taking a portion of the building and setting up a counter and displaying ammo, scopes, knives and many other items. 

“Customers kept asking when I was going to get in the gun-selling business and it wasn’t long after that we started,” said Stephenson, who was in the former building for 7.5 years. “I told the customers that we would try and see what happens, and here we are now! We pretty much outgrew that building in a few short years.”

The new location houses a much larger space for the company where they now have a large counter that can display many of the hand guns, but they also can show the many rifles, scopes, outdoor equipment and more.  They kept a theme throughout the store, displaying a huge American Flag and additional Americana decor.

“We wanted to make sure we had a nice tribute to the USA with our huge wall flag,” stated Stephenson with a smile, pointing out the taller ceilings in the building. “We also want to eventually show some posters with our marketing partners, having more gun maker displays and banners such as Smith and Wesson and other manufactures.”

Stephenson added that the visability has been a big plus for business, as the old building was tucked away behind Billmyer.  “Now people drive by and see it every day.  That was our number one drawback with the old location,” added the owner. “The larger building also helps considerably, allowing us to be better organized and to display the inventory, allowing our customers to find items easily.”

He commented that one day he had 20 customers in the store and the space allowed each to stretch out and not interfere with each other.  

There is also a basement that has potential for more opportunity.

“We’re still contemplating what to do with that space,” said Stephenson, who was originally thinking an archery range where he has already purchased some of the equipment from an auction. “We may or may not. We do have other ideas as well, but no decisions have been made as of yet.”

What many of the Outdoor & More customers may not know is how many “services” they offer, besides selling retail.

They do have guns and ammo for just about any sportsman arms enthusiast, but they also can transfer fire arms, do minor gun smith repairs, do laser bore sighting, can cut arrows and fletch arrows and more.  

“Our sharpening services have been growing and we can do everything except sharpen chainsaws,” stated Stephenson, who sharpens knives of all sizes, circular saw blades and more. “As for gun repair, we can bore out any gun and make it shoot more efficiently, plus we can mount a scope for you, so you don’t waste your ammo doing it yourself.”

Getting back to retail, Outdoors & More does offer some outdoor wear with jackets and heavier, more durable shirts, pants and gloves, plus they have camping accessories, survival equipment, reloading gear and have really expanded their fishing equipment/gear. They do have a website at outdoorsandmore.net and have many items listed on their Ebay store. 

As how the Stephenson’s stumbled upon the building, it was Amy who was over visiting with the former owners, Keith Wherry and Paul Lovell.

“When we found out they were closing their doors, Amy went over to tell them they were going to be missed,” said Stephenson. “Keith then told her that this would make a great place over here for ya!  It was a really busy Friday afternoon, but Amy insisted that we needed to go over and talk with them right now!  So glad we did.”

Besides the business, the couple has been married for 10 years and stay plenty busy with two kids at home in Dustin and Holly. 

To officially announce their move, Outdoors & More will host a Grand Re-Opening and have a Cresco Chamber Ribbon Cutting on Thursday, July 13.  

“We’re planning to have a lot going on that day,” said Stephenson. “We will have Shawn and Dawn from Jinx’em Scents, a Meet & Learn from our Vortex Rep and drawings and give-aways throughout the day.  There will also be discounts and specials, plus Sugar Brand Ice Creem will be serving from 1 to 5 p.m.”