After 50 years of serving outdoor enthusiasts on the flat prairie, Gord's Ski and Bike is expanding to the mountains.
After all, according to JF Ravenelle, its president and general manager, that's where the bulk of its equipment is actually used.
"Many of our customers buy stuff from us in Winnipeg and go play with it elsewhere," he said.
"Elsewhere," in many cases, is the Rocky Mountains. So, Gord's christened its third location, and first outside of Manitoba, in Banff last month.
Ravenelle knows he will have a built-in clientele in the 2,100-square-foot store in the ski resort town, what with thousands of Manitobans who head to Sunshine, Lake Louise and Mount Norquay for their skiing and snowboarding fixes every year. He's optimistic many non-Manitobans will patronize the location, too.
The opening marks a remarkable turnaround for the business, which filed for bankruptcy protection under its previous owners in the fall of 2008. Ravenelle and a group of employees and customers bought the company out of receivership and re-opened it shortly after.
Joining him as a partner in the new venture is Stephen Strachan, who runs the Hardwear Company in Kenora, Ont. He will bring his expertise in paddle sports, such as kayaking and canoeing, to the Banff store.
from Western Investor February 2012
