Looks like it is going to happen

“I spoke with the people that own the building where I'm wanting to open up a retail location and they said it's a go. Looks like the building will be ready Oct 1st and hopefully I can open up by the 15th or around then. It will be about 4000 square feet.

It's funny looking back over the time I've been backpacking and to see where things have gone.

I just started backpacking in July a little over a year ago. Didn't start posting on TT til this time last year.

All I can say is that I have learned so much from all the people that I've hiked with on here and that I'm grateful for all the knowledge shared by everyone on trips or on this board. Thanks everyone!!”

“Congrats! Can you share the notes of your experience so the rest of us can do the same thing in our respective cities. Darn it - I've spent all this time posting when I could have been starting a business!”

“OMG! Did I really buy a tarp from someone not qualified? :)”

“I've missed the story. Backpacking gear head store?”

“binks, i still haven't recieved my big clown hiking shoes yet....WTF!?!?”

“WooHoo !!”

“Congratulations! Where will the store be?”

“Big Coop-umm.well...uh...you..um let's see...it has something to do with the computer but not sure...lol


Rockman-What are you talking about? unexperienced?


Pathman-What the heck? totally flew over my head

Phil-It will ber about 45 minutes outside of Nashville.

Strat-What shoes? Never saw an order..lol”

“Congrats BB, that is so cool. Did you ever think about opening a branch in Columbia, sc?? Hopefully close to Two Notch Road?? I have to drive all accross town to get to my store.
Oh, did I mention what their name is?? It's "the backpacker"”

“Best of luck to ya. You will make it work! May the hiking Gods smile upon you and bless you with good fortune!”

“Congratulations!”

“Gemini-Umm nope, it's not on ywo notch road. lol

Thanks Laqtis and snow nymph”

“45 minutes outside Nashville where?”

“Binks, it's not very often that you see someone grab hold of their dream so fast and make a successful venture of it! You're the man, pal! I wish we were closer so we could help you move.”

“What kind of business?”

“That's so cool. Congrats. Just wish the shop was closer to me. I need a dang job.”

“Way to go, dude!

Yeah, what exactly is the nature of your business?

Gemini, have you ever been to Tank Hill?”

“way to go, binks! congrats!”

“You go, Brother!!! Best of good fortune to ya!!!”

“Congrats my man!!!


something to think about..maybe i'm not the only one.
Something that bugs me about "outfitter" stores is the signage *or lack of*, and its overall store front. Half the time these places have obscure names that don't say they are a store for "us". Hell, for us men it takes a neon sign for us to find the beer we like in front of a bar! Do these pple think a wooden sign that says "Bobs" is gonna tell us we can get Trekking Poles, and a Tarptent there? Since i have to drive to goto a local outfitter, i've aborted many a trip cause i couldn't find the place in some obscure stripmall. I see a boot sign in the window I think..BOOT STORE...but if I see Tents and Backpacks brands signage...that's the ticket..just my 2 cents idea..”

“Congrat Binks,

I wish you all the luck. Can you post a picture of the building or is it being built?”

“Woooo Hooo..... looks like an October road trip for me!!!”

“Pathman and Tom-I have the backpacking website now but I'll be opening up a retail backpacking/camping/paddling/climbing store.”

“Big Poppa-I'll see if I can snap a few pics today when I go down there of the building.

Thanks everyone.”

“When's the grand opening? I want to be there!”

“Yah really. I smell road trip.


Hell, I smell beer bash on bbinkley!”

“where is your store going to be located????”

“Hopefully I'll have everything ready around Oct 15thish .

Beer bash lol...”

“I love beer!”

“Congrats binks. You were up and running on the web in March and 6 or 7 months later have a physical business. Impressive.”

“Tom, what's Tank Hill? never been there..”

“Fort Jackson

Columbia, S C”

“That's great bbbbbbbbbbinks. Good luck.

I don't want to ruin the surprise but didn't you say store policy would be free gear to all TTers?”

“Two Notch Road rings a bell with me.

I was made an infantryman at Fort Jackson.

It didn't hurt too bad :]”

“ummm....violin...i didn't see that on our site....did you do something to add that?”

“Great. Now you're backing out on your pledge?!!

I already reserved a U-Haul truck for opening day.”

“U-Haul?

For the beer?”

“Oh, so Violin's bringing the beer?

Great!”

“free beer and free gear, hell, i'm coming to Tennessee!”

“I am there too! After I clean out REI.”

“Congrats Binkley. The most important thing is to enjoy what you do.

The second most important thing is to make huge piles of money.”

“HUGE?

That's a bit crass, now.”

“Shouldn't one please and respect those from whom one makes a living?”

“I knew I could count on you to decry capitalism.”

“You mean we might actually get to meet violin?”

“That alone would make your store a success.

By the way, you should move the store to Jellico or open a chain there. I would drive that far just to shop at a fellow TT'ers business.”

“nope, did not check out ft. jackson yet. Ha, I have never thought about it. Dang! Still 30 minutes from my home though. Got to ask my hubby what they all sell.

bb okay, I'll stop messing up your thread how. :)

Grand opening of your store will be worth a trip to Nashville. :)”

“This is just a thought, but is there an outfitter besides the Army Surplus store in the Savage Gulf/Fiery Gizzard area? Might be a great place for one if there's not...”

“Stickman, that's just a certain philosophy on business.....kinda like karma.......treat people well to be treated well.”

“That's awesome man. Good luck when you venture off to off-line sales...and don't forget about many of us TTers who buy from you ONline. Congrats man.”