When Better Buy Sports owner Terry Fullerton was looking to expand in the Maritimes, the overall demographics of the Halifax area looked good to him. With two stores already well established in New Brunswick – one in Moncton, the other in Saint John – Fullerton was looking east and his eye landed on Windmill Road in Burnside.
“There’s 53,000 hunters within 200 miles of the Halifax area and they’re without a hunting retail outlet other than Walmart or Canadian Tire,” Fullerton says. “The sport fishermen are a little better off with some specialty stores to serve them, but we believe there’s a genuine need for a large, specialty store to sell gear for hunting and fishing sport enthusiasts.”
Fullerton says Halifax-area residents have come into his Moncton store wishing the outlet were closer to home.
“The customers are telling us they want us in Halifax.”
So, here they are. Better Buy Sports is setting up shop in Burnside with the largest specialty hunting and fishing retail outlet operating in Nova Scotia, according to Fullerton. The store, which is due to open in late March in the mall near Brewdebakers, will carry a full range of equipment, accessories, clothing, ammunition and tackle. The store will also have a gunsmith and bow tech on site. All members of the staff are experienced hunters, fishermen and/or guides with a passion for what they do.
“All of the staff we hired for the new store have retail experience in this area. They know the products and they know how to get customers linked with what they need. Not to knock Walmart or Canadian Tire, but if you walk into one of those stores and say, ‘I’m a salmon fisherman, set me up with a nice package,’ they’re not going to be able to do that like we can,” Fullerton says.
The store even has a mini range located in a room out back so customers can try out archery equipment prior to purchasing.
“We want our customers to be comfortable and confident with their purchases, so we encourage them to try it out,” Fullerton says.
Better Buy Sports has a solid reputation for assisting seasoned amateurs, but also for helping the beginner outdoor sport enthusiast – be they of the grandparent or grandchild age. It’s never too early, or too late, to start, Fullerton says. The store carries products suitable for all age groups and for all skill levels.
