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MIAMISBURG — Three years after first opening their Great Miami Outfitters business in Miamisburg, the Schlegel family has expanded operations to now include a new kayak and canoe specialty store.
“It really is a natural evolution of the shop,” said store manager Andrew Schlegel, who with his father, Dan, and other family members, runs the business in the city’s historic downtown.
Schlegel said the popularity of paddle sports has increased, prompting the expansion.
“We always carried a lot of boats,” he said. “We just keep expanding and ran out of space in our main building.”
The family acquired a second building across the street from its store, where the family regularly walked over customers to view larger items.
“But we grew out of it the first season in it,” Schlegel said. “It just made sense this year to open this building as a separate retail store specializing in boats, paddles, life vests, accessories and car racks.”
The ideal building, located directly behind the main store, became available in 2009 and better suited their needs.
“We were awfully busy in our main store,” he said.
The family sold the second building across the street and purchased the one behind the store.
“We hired a couple more employees, and we’ll hire more as we get into the season,” Schlegel said.
The family now has about 10 employees. Staff is trained and certified and some have higher sports and fitness education degrees or are enrolled in such programs.
“We all have a lot of passion for what we do,” Schlegel said. “All the employees live this as much as they sell it, and I think that’s a big asset.”
Schlegel said staff work with customers to make sure they are comfortable with all equipment and prepared to “go out and really enjoy themselves.”
“Our big mission is to get people in the right equipment the first time,” he said. “It’s comparable to a cyclist getting the right bicycle.”
Schlegel said he’s also working to educate people about what nature has to offer locally.
“Everyone always thinks you have to go somewhere else to get the full effect of the sport, but there’s so much right here to enjoy,” he said.
“We want to take advantage of these waterways and take overnight trips. We’re keeping it around here.”
Schlegel recalled how customers Don and Vickie Stonehouse bought kayaks during the businesses’ opening year.
“After totally falling in love with the sport, they started a local club for other flatwater paddlers,” he said.
“It’s just amazing how many places you can paddle in Dayton and the surrounding areas.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-9338 or kmcallister@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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