Kidron Sports Center has it all for the sporting enthusiasts
By Jennifer Kneuss
There’s a popular bumper sticker that reads “I’d rather be hunting” …or fishing…or trapping…or whatever sport an individual dreams about doing full time rather than punching a time card. But Wayne Miller, a former construction worker, has the best of both worlds. He is the founder and owner of Kidron Sports Center, a successful line of sporting goods stores that cater to the needs of local outdoor enthusiasts.
“I love what I do. I tell my wife all the time that I wish everyone could be as happy with what they’re doing every day as I am,” exclaimed Miller, as he motioned to the shelves stocked with every type of outdoor gear imaginable. He has a big smile and hearty laugh that shows he truly enjoys his work. Customers know that Miller and his staff will offer them the best service available. “If we don’t have what they want at one store, we can usually get it from one of the other stores the same day or the next day,” said Miller, himself an avid outdoorsman. The original store is still located in Kidron, with a second store and warehouse in Charm. Both stores boast about 5,000-square-feet of merchandise space. A new shop, located behind Schrock’s Amish Farm and Village in Berlin, is providing yet another location for both locals and tourists to search for everyday needs as well as unique items.
“We opened the Berlin store because the men said they wanted somewhere to shop while the ladies did their shopping around town. So here we are,” commented Miller, with a laugh.
When the phone rings in the Berlin store, you won’t hear a typical ringer. Instead, you may hear the sound of a wild turkey, a goose, or even a loon. Kidron Sports’ camouflage cordless phone has up to 10 different animal calls, and makes a great gift for the outdoorsman. Other items include plush leather moccasins that come in adult sizes as well as pint-sized versions for the little future hunters on your list, and are great to slip on after a long day outside. Specialty and hunting knives, mirrors, clocks, and other items make it easy to find useful and unique gifts.
When it comes to practical items for the sportsman and woman, Kidron Sports locations have it covered. There are camo hats, gloves, coats, socks, and other must haves, as well as hunter safety orange and scent blocking apparel, all very affordably priced. A variety of firearms and cross and compound bows are on display, as well as tree stands, hunting blinds, fishing poles, and lures. A full line of archery accessories is always on hand. Brand names like Horton and Big Game are evident everywhere, but prices are competitively priced.
“We even have our own line of walleye lures, that we make ourselves. The employees make them year around, and we really try and stock up on them during the winter months,” explained Miller. “They are interchangeable, and the customers love them because they work really well.”
For those more into non-hunting activities, Kidron Sports stores have softball bats, balls, and gear for all types of traditional sports. They even carry a good selection for that favorite indoor sport, ping-pong. Miller also includes items for his youngest customers, including child-sized, themed fishing poles, slingshots, and other childhood favorites. Camping gear is also a popular choice, as more and more families are beginning to enjoy the simple pleasure of staying in the great outdoors for a low-key, ‘green’ family vacation choice.
It is obvious that Kidron Sports Center is a far cry from impersonal, big-box stores. Employees are knowledgeable about what they sell, and want their customers to be happy with their final selections.
“A lot of time we’ll get a call from someone who was in our store a few days or weeks before,” said Miller. “They’ll remember something they saw in our store that they just keep thinking about owning, and they’ll describe it to us. We’ll locate it, and they ask us to pack it up and ship it to them. And we do!”
The original Kidron Sports Center store is located in Kidron (the post office address is considered Apple Creek) at 4126 S. Kohler Road. Store hours are Monday and Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday and Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and closed Wednesday and Sunday.
A second store is located in Charm, 4432 County Road 70, across from Keim Lumber, and may be reached at 330-893-1486. Hours are Monday and Tuesday, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday, from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and closed Thursday and Sunday.
The newest location in Berlin, across from Hiland High School, and behind the Schrock’s Amish Farm antique mall, may be reached by calling 330-893-1900. Store hours are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Friday seasonal hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
