How Outdoor Memories Taxidermy & Sporting Goods Store is Surviving the Pandemic
- Grace Grady
- May 23, 2024
- 2 min read
Reposted on 4/13/2020 from Small Town Business Blogs
I had the opportunity to interview Austen Hamilton with Outdoor Memories and learned more about the distinct services this local Glen Elder business has to offer customers. Please read below to find out more!
When did you start Outdoor Memories and what inspired you to do so?
“Outdoor Memories Taxidermy & Sporting Goods opened its doors in February of 2018. Prior to this Outdoor Memories was a taxidermy shop that I (Austen) ran beside our home. “I wanted to make my business more accessible to the communities. I felt that the sporting goods and taxidermy would complement one another. Ultimately I wanted to create a store that I would love to go to.”
What is your favorite part about running this business?
“My favorite part of this business is serving people and making other people happy.”
How did you get interested in taxidermy?
“I always loved animals and wildlife and respected the beauty they possess. I believe that a good taxidermist can show respect to the animal by displaying its true beauty. It is through taxidermy that you can preserve a memory that shows respect to the animal.”
What do you feel makes your business unique and stand out?
“The level of service that we strive to provide to each customer makes us stand out. Our passion for the outdoors and helping others to enjoy their outdoor experience.”
What is the most exotic animal you have worked with?
“I worked with animals from an audad to a gemsbuck. And a life-sized black bear.”
When is your busiest time of the year?
“May - November.”
How has your business had to adjust during this mass pandemic?
“This pandemic has made it very difficult to plan important decisions such as ordering inventory based on previous years’ experience. The pandemic has also taken business away and we have experienced a significant loss in cash flow needed to pay employees and order inventory. This coming after last year with the lake being flooded has been difficult.”
Is there anything else you would like to add?
“We have also added a restaurant to the store and are now serving food every day of the week for lunch and supper. Hamburgers, fried fish, shrimp, fried chicken, chicken strips and sides.”
In conclusion, Outdoor Memories sounds like an all-around great business! Check out their Facebook for more info on all they have to offer!
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