Closing after 43 years

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet

Nothing says retirement like a big slice of chocolate cake.

The oldest outdoor store in the Central Okanagan is closing its doors.

After 43 years in business, family-owned AG Outdoor Superstore will close its doors for good today.

"We've been doing it for so long, it's almost getting boring what we do," said Randy Gasser.

"Every year, you have the change of seasons, and that's kind of nice but, after so many years it just kind of got boring. We're getting older, but it's getting hard to keep up with everything and hard with the change of technologies.

"Everyone is in their 60s or older," said Gasser.

It was the right time to get out and do something different.

Randy, his sister Lorri and parents Bob and Audrey, opened the store in 1972 at the Red and White grocery store at Rutland Road and Highway 33.

"We started off with military surplus. Kids liked that, scouts and cubs liked that. That's what made us grow."

The store stayed in its first location for five years before the family purchased property on Dougall Road.

The property had two homes on it that were ripped down to make way for the new building.

"We've been here since 1977."

The business has changed over the years, and competition has grown.

Gasser put the business up for sale, but said there weren't many people looking.

"We decided to sell the stock off and, as it turned out, we did better than selling at the price we were asking for," said Gasser.

When the decision was made in August to shut down, he expected it would take until November. He was surprised how quickly everything went.

What's next?

"I have a list on the fridge of things to do. Hopefully, I won't get bored."

His fifth wheel will also see more mileage.

"We normally go for six weeks in the winter. Now, with the time I've got, I'm going to go for three months every winter. We're going to use it more in the spring and summer."