Lee Connelly and his wife Doris started
the company in 1947. Today, “Gerard Connelly and his sisters run the business now
taking over from their parents,” said Corey.
“Probably our biggest accomplishments
are being in business over 60 years and
staying family owned,” said Corey, a 23-year
veteran and rookie of the senior buyers.
Eight employees have been with Tri-State
for well over 20 years.
Gerard Connelly, second generation
owner and General Manager, “has seen the
store go from three locations to one, then
expand back to the four we are currently operating,” said Corey. “He’s a highly involved
owner.” Connelly encourages giving back to
the community. In an effort to help those
that help Tri-State, a committee selects
donation recipients each year.
“Tri-State is a very generous and
giving company donating well over 10
percent of its after-tax profits to local organizations in each of our communities.
With over 150 donations last year alone,
we donate to all causes including local
schools, the University of Idaho as well as
Washington State University,” said Corey.
Recent recipients include the local
Palouse Conservation Environmental Institute and several national conservation
organizations such as Rocky Mountain Elk
Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, and the National Wild Turkey Federation.
You name it, they have it
Tri-State prides its business on spe-
cialization and carrying high-quality brands,
according to Corey. They carry big brand
name products, “because that’s what our
customers want to see,” he said. “Those
chain store knock-off product lines won’t do.
Our customers are brand snobs. They like
to see the Federal Premium’s, Patagonia’s
and North Face’s.”
Tri-State carries just about every ATK
brand. And the staff carefully selects quality
goods to stock in each of the four stores.
The original store (located in Moscow,
Champion® Traps & Targets is just one of many ATK
brands Tri-State stocks.
Committed to community
Tri-State and its sister company Tri-State Outfitters are Idaho’s number one
outdoor sporting goods business. They are
also Idaho’s largest independent retailer.
And they earned those accomplishments by
taking pride in their business.
Getting the word out
Tri-State’s advertising efforts are focused, strategic and creative. They have
expanded their communication to include
the ever-important—and ever-changing—
digital world.
In the old days of ‘produce an advertisement and get an immediate response,’
the folks of Tri-State realize “what worked
15 years ago, doesn’t today,” said Corey.”
We’re just starting to use social media sites
such as Facebook and Twitter to get out
specials and update what is happening at
the store,” said Corey.
ATK Ammunition and Related Products
(Mounting Systems)
For more information on becoming an A TK Premium Partner, contact A TK Techsystems, 900 Ehlen Drive, Anoka, MN 55303, or call 866-223-9388, or visit their website at www.federalpremium.com
