Jason Bellows has everything needed to learn and enjoy the outdoors in his 6,300 square foot Salmon Arm Westside Stores.

Image Credit: Infotel photo/Stacy Pavlov

     It’s more than about talking; it’s about doing when it comes to enjoying the great outdoors.

     That’s where Salmon Arm’s Westside Stores comes in; they don’t just sell their customers the gear, they live the outdoor lifestyle.

     Owner Jason Bellows says he and his staff run one of the largest family owned outdoor equipment retailers in the Okanagan/Shuswap. The experienced and knowledgeable staff can provide everything needed for outdoor adventure.

     “I grew up hunting, fishing and farming. It’s a way of life. My staff is the same. You’re going to talk to people here who know what they’re talking about because we do all this and we use the equipment,” said Bellows, who bought the store in 2012 and has expanded it to what it is today after leaving a career of servicing and installing sawmill equipment around the world.

     The massive 6,300 square foot retail store on the TransCanada Highway in Salmon Arm carries everything an outdoor enthusiast, or newbie could need; from fishing flies and rods of all varieties, to a wall full of rifles and supplies to clothing apparel and camping gear, food and footwear.

Image Credit: Infotel photo/Stacy Pavlov

     “It’s really a one stop store. If you’re going to do anything outdoors, we’ve got it, and we compete with the big box store prices while being locally owned, operated and employed,” said Bellows, a father of two daughters.

     The outdoors is something Bellows feels everyone should enjoy. “It’s a way to connect with the land again and get away from cell phones and leave the asphalt world.”
He said being out in nature is one way to experience things you could never do otherwise. “I watched a lynx feed on a moose carcass when I was a big game guide in Northern B.C. out in the raw wilderness where there is no contact with the outside world; just you and nature to keep each other company.”

     Bellows says that outdoor activities like hunting, is growing in popularity with women. The days of the “old boys club” going off into the bush for a week is gone. “It’s a family sport now.” So much so that Bellows has firearms, apparel and other gear suited for women and children.

     He says that people don’t have to get into hunting to own and shoot a rifle. They can learn to enjoy and respect firearms and never have to hunt; they can spend time at the range target shooting or busting clays.

     The store’s eight employees will explain every piece of equipment and how to use it safely and effectively as well as guide customers on places to experience in and around the Okanagan/Shuswap. And if the store doesn’t happen to have what a customer needs, they’ll get it.

     Bellows’ respect and enjoyment for the outdoors doesn’t end at the store. As the oldest of four successful brothers, Bellows also runs a fishing charter company which he started last year. Sport and fly fishing in the area lakes and rivers are his specialty. People have come from as far away as Australia, Germany, China, and Saudi Arabia as well as all over Canada and the United States.

     The bottom line, according to Bellows, is he and his staff work their tails off to ensure their customers get what they came for and experience the outdoors as they should be enjoyed.

     “It’s never too late to learn how to fish or shoot or hike. It’s about being with the land,” said Bellows.

     Customers can order right from the store’s web site, or better yet, take a short drive to Salmon Arm to see the massive inventory and talk to the staff. Check out www.westsidestores.ca. They are open seven days a week. For information on the fishing expeditions, visit www.bucktailadventures.ca

Sponsored By  

News from © iNFOnews, 2017