I recently had the opportunity to visit Scheels corporate headquaters and second largest sporting goods store in the world (second only to their Reno location) in Fargo, ND.
This place was GIGANTIC occupying almost 1/2 a million square feet of space. It features a full size ferris wheel, 2 shooting galleries, a huge playground for kids, Nascar experience, and a full service restaurant that serves up homemade fudge. Mmmmm... their fudge is amazing. Of course they also have the best selection of goods for any imaginable sport. They really do a great job with all the hunting and fishing needs. The store has a least 200 stuffed fish and big game animals, I was impressed.
Here is the Scheels story as presented on their website -
Three acres of potatoes were the seed for the first Scheels store in 1902. Frederick A. Scheel, a German immigrant, used the $300 he earned from that first harvest of potatoes as the down payment on the first Scheels, a small hardware and general merchandise store in Sabin, Minnesota.
Over the years, Scheels opened in surrounding communities, including Fargo, North Dakota, where the Corporate Office and the second Largest All Sport Store in the World are now located. Reno-Sparks Scheels became the World's Largest All Sports Store in September 2008.
Firmly planted in the hardware business, Scheels started adding a small selection of sporting goods to their stores in 1954. Customer interest grew, and more and more sports lines were added with athletic shoes and clothing being introduced in the Scheels' product mix in 1972.
Scheels' first All Sports Superstore opened in Grand Forks, ND in 1989. Today, Scheels is a 23-store operation with stores in 8 states including North Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, Montana, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Nevada. Providing Scheels' customers with first-class customer service and the world's largest selection of sports, sportswear and footwear are the priorities throughout the organization.
Currently, Steve D. Scheel, the great grandson of Frederick A. Scheel, is the Scheels CEO and oversees the company of over 4000 associates. His Son, Steve M. Scheel, is the company's president and has been working for Scheels since 1989.
Scheels is an employee-owned, privately held business that owes its consistent success to its empowered associates, managers and partners who think and make decisions for their individual store and the entire company.
Over the years, Scheels opened in surrounding communities, including Fargo, North Dakota, where the Corporate Office and the second Largest All Sport Store in the World are now located. Reno-Sparks Scheels became the World's Largest All Sports Store in September 2008.
Firmly planted in the hardware business, Scheels started adding a small selection of sporting goods to their stores in 1954. Customer interest grew, and more and more sports lines were added with athletic shoes and clothing being introduced in the Scheels' product mix in 1972.
Scheels' first All Sports Superstore opened in Grand Forks, ND in 1989. Today, Scheels is a 23-store operation with stores in 8 states including North Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, Montana, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Nevada. Providing Scheels' customers with first-class customer service and the world's largest selection of sports, sportswear and footwear are the priorities throughout the organization.
Currently, Steve D. Scheel, the great grandson of Frederick A. Scheel, is the Scheels CEO and oversees the company of over 4000 associates. His Son, Steve M. Scheel, is the company's president and has been working for Scheels since 1989.
Scheels is an employee-owned, privately held business that owes its consistent success to its empowered associates, managers and partners who think and make decisions for their individual store and the entire company.
You can even buy Golden Tee (my favorite video game ever) at Scheels for a measely $5300!
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