Green Top Taking Over Gander Mountain In Va

[Aluma-Bass]

Gander Mountain is closing its store in Hanover County and Green Top Sporting Goods is moving in there, the company announced this afternoon.

Green Top, a fixture on U.S. 1 for decades, will relocate to Gander Mountain's 67,000-square-foot store in the NorthCross Center.

"We have outgrown the facility and are unable to continue to serve coustomers in the best way without getting some additional space," said Bill Prout, president and chief financial officer of Green Top Sporting Goods. "We intend to continue to provide that level of service that our customers are used to."

http://www2.timesdis...g-g-ar-1956017/

[Sam]

Yep. Saw the article on the Internet.

Looking forward to both stores' sales!!!!

The Bait Monkey is watching us.

[Bigbarge50]

While I like having options, I was blown away by how much I did not like that Gander Mountain. I was beyond unimpressed. Now that is the only Gander I have ever been in, but I was shocked on how little there was in terms of fishing, the quality offered at the prices offered.

Green Top on the other hand..... well might be one of the best things I have found in VA since I have moved. It is what a bussines should be. I hope the space serves them well, I did not mind the super tight alises in their store..... unless someone else was in that isle haha.

Will happily keep supporting such a good store.

[Sam]

Big Barge, the Gander Mountain in Fredericksburg has a better fishing department than the Richmond store.

I found the Richmond store strong on hunting equipment and men's/ladies clothing and weak on fishing.

Also, the Richmond Gander Mountain clerks had limited knowledge about bass fishing. I once asked the clerk if they had a specific bait and he had no idea what I was talking about.

So I went to Green Top and picked them up plus got to speak to their clerks in an intelligent manner regarding the body of water I was going to fish.

Glad Green Top is growing but one must be careful with the additional overhead and our economy to make sure they are making the right move at the right time.

[vapredhunter]

With Bass Pro Shop a few minutes from Richmond Gander Mt would never see me!! LOL But here in Roanoke Gander is all we've had until Sportsmans opened back up.

[Bigbarge50]

Glad Green Top is growing but one must be careful with the additional overhead and our economy to make sure they are making the right move at the right time.

Well said, Well said. It is a HUGE store to fill. Wish nothing but good fortune. Maybe they will do something that completely suprises us.

[quanjig]

Nice to see a smaller niche company thrive and grow! Maybe larger space will provide for an even more diverse selection of baits!! Kudos Green Top, nothing but happy thoughts for the move!!

[St James]

The way i see it : Greentop > Bass pro > Gander

I'm very happy to hear this news and wish the best for GT. I love a store where the employees know what they're talking about.

[lefty]

when is this move happening?

[Traveler2586]

With Green Top (GT) moving so close to BPS, what can GT offer that you can't find at BPS, regularly scheduled classes on hunting/fishing subjects, store sponsored clubs for each sport, guide services, events, gun/fishing craft supplies??? They'll need something to get the traffic through the store. A truly knowledgeable staff would be a big draw.

[Sam]

^{Eric, Green Top has a much better selection of Zoom plastics than BPS.}

^{The Green Top fishing staff is knowledgable about fishing, especially bass fishing. There are a few guys at Green Top who are outstanding tournament fishermen.}

^{Green Top also has a better selection of crankbaits.}

^{And Green Top's prices are lower on many items when compared with BPS.}

[Traveler2586]

^{Eric, Green Top has a much better selection of Zoom plastics than BPS.}

^{The Green Top fishing staff is knowledgeable about fishing, especially bass fishing. There are a few guys at Green Top who are outstanding tournament fishermen.}

^{Green Top also has a better selection of crank baits.}

^{And Green Top's prices are lower on many items when compared with BPS.}

Well that's good to hear, but will they need to do more to earn the additional revenue needed to cover the overhead of the new store? I hope they can last, I really do. They are about an hour and a half from me, but I'll make the drive if they have what I need, or just to look around; I also use their web site.

[Sam]

Eric, I agree with what you are saying about covering the overhead.

They better turn over their stock fast as there is very little profit in fishing tackle.

I guess they will cover expenses via clothing and guns.

Come on down. Traffic on I-95 gets better once you get past Fredericksburg, if you can get past Fredericksburg!!!!

[Sam]

Oops. You will be coming 301 to 207 to I-95.

That is cheating. No traffic. Only lots of state police and King William and Caroline County deputies on 301 and 207.

Watch your speed, especially after going over the Rappahannock River bridge when the speed drops to 35.

[heyitskirby]

With Green Top (GT) moving so close to BPS, what can GT offer that you can't find at BPS, regularly scheduled classes on hunting/fishing subjects, store sponsored clubs for each sport, guide services, events, gun/fishing craft supplies??? They'll need something to get the traffic through the store. A truly knowledgeable staff would be a big draw.

It's really no closer than they already were....

[Traveler2586]

Oops. You will be coming 301 to 207 to I-95.

That is cheating. No traffic. Only lots of state police and King William and Caroline County deputies on 301 and 207.

Watch your speed, especially after going over the Rappahannock River bridge when the speed drops to 35.

Thanks Sam, I'm thinking I haven't been down there in a long time now, I've hit GM in Fredricksburg and BPS lately but not GT. I'll have to come down to see what's going on. I just wish the Smoking Pig in Ashland was still open.

[Bigbarge50]

I wonder this.... with all that space.... what about an indoor archery/gun range and an indoor casting area to try out reels. I will tell you this, you put a guy in a section where you can try out a reel .... I would probably buy one I liked right there on the spot.

I just think it would be awesome to try out a rod and reel before buying.... think that could be something to give them and edge over the competition.

So much space, sure they can do all sorts of stuff......

[lefty]

hands down green top guys have forgotten more about bass fishing than the kids at bass pro could help u with... does bass pro give you a weekly fishing report? no... go talk to steve lane at GT... ABOUT ANYTHING.!!! the man knows his stuff. especially when it comes to electronics. i always hit green top before bp... green top for the fishing stuff. bp for the clothing and boat supplies.

[donovanl12]

Never heard of Green Top, but Dick's Sporting Goods has a better selection than Gander. If I don't feel like driving, I go to Dick's. If i do, BPS.

[gar-tracker]

I love Gander Mountain, the one in West Palm is top notch. We don't have Green Top I wonder if this is a national or just local move.

[Bigbarge50]

Local, just north of richmond va. I may live right across from D.C. but will happily drive down to their store.

[Sam]

Traveler,

" I just wish the Smoking Pig in Ashland was still open."

Phat Boys next to the current Green Top location is excellent for bar-b-q.

Come on over, visit Green Top, Gander Mountain and BPS and have lunch at Phat Boys.

[Traveler2586]

Traveler,

" I just wish the Smoking Pig in Ashland was still open."

Phat Boys next to the current Green Top location is excellent for bar-b-q.

Come on over, visit Green Top, Gander Mountain and BPS and have lunch at Phat Boys.

I think I'll do that Sam, Thanks for the tip.

[craww]

I think its awesome. Everyone said "there goes greenrtop" when GM moved in. When BP came in, it was a death sentence. They kept their head down and kept doing their thing.

Anyone heard anymore about the rumor of cabelas locating at Watkins center?

[dave]

I had been in the old Greentop a number of times. I just went to the new store. If I had any complaint at all, it was missing the "feel" of the older, smaller, more cramped location. Don't get me wrong, it was better than most other much larger stores. Something was cool about the little store.