Why would anyone want to be an independent retailer?
 Theresa & Klaus Obermeyer discussing the 2011 Obermeyer apparel line at the SIA trade show in Denver People ask us this all the time. With competition at every turn, a business climate every knows is stacked against us, and only 24 hours in a day, why would anyone want to operate an independent retail store? We can’t answer for anyone else, but because ours is a toy store for grown-ups much of what we do in actually fun. We’re not selling nuts and bolts or boring necessary stuff like furnaces and water heaters (sorry friends in those industries…) We honestly love the sporting goods products we offer, the manufacturers we work with, the events we host, the community we work in and most importantly the customers we serve. And like the line in the film You’ve Got Mail, to us“ It’s personal.” The presidents and CEOs of K2, Fischer, Rossignol, Volkl, Nordica, Swix, Spyder, Scott and dozens of other respected manufacturers are our friends, not just names on a database. These relationships help us to know the ins and outs of the industry like no one else you might shop with.  The boss's kid checking out the 2011 race line at Volkl. We don’t just sell, we shop. We personally select the products we offer, test them, display them, inspect them and help you choose them. It’s a difference we enjoy when we shop locally and we’re told it’s meaningful to you here at Sheps. Even if it is old fashioned, it’s been personal to us since 1949. The best part of what we do is seeing excited customers heading out with new gear that is just what they wanted, and knowing we took care of all the steps necessary to bring those products to you. When dad, Allen Shepherd, coined the shop tag line “It pays to play” he didn’t mean we’d get rich working this hard. He meant it is critical for personal and family health and happiness to include exercise and relaxation in your life. He was right, and we feel fortunate to have 61 years of experience to guide us. So while there are moments of craziness in every day, we’re not crazy. We honestly enjoy being an independent retailer. Robb & Theresa |