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Outdoor Toy Store fills
long-empty uptown building
By
ADAM
LAPIERRE
News
staff writer
In a time of economic uncertainty, Aaron Kreps is in a difficult
business, and he is hoping that his recent move to
Hood
River
will help keep his shop in the green.
Kreps owns the Outdoor Toy Store, and he recently relocated his
business to
Hood
River
from
Carson,
Wash.
After remodeling the former Hood River Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge
dealership on
13th Street
to fit the needs of his snowmobile, ATV and accessory shop,
Kreps and all of his former employees settled into their new
location and opened for business on Monday.
“This location fits the business well,” said Kreps, who was
commuting from his home in
Hood
River
to the former
Carson
location. “It was sad to see a business leave the Heights, and
we wanted to bring something back in.”
In moving, about 70 loads of product and equipment had to be
transferred to the new shop, which specializes in Arctic Cat and
Polaris snowmobiles and ATVs.
The Outdoor Toy Store will also have a 6,000-square-foot
full-service shop, with experienced techs, to work on all kinds
of small-motored vehicles and equipment.
Last year sales dropped about 40-percent at his Carson Shop, so
Kreps is hoping the move to
Hood
River
will broaden his customer base and bring in new business with
his repair shop.
“Our main goal is to maintain business in a downsizing economy,”
Kreps said.
The store will host a grand opening sale and open house on
Saturday, starting at
9 a.m.
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