3 minute read
GET OUTSIDE - COLUMBUS OUTFITTERS
For the Fun of It
Wade Wheatley talks about his passion for powersports and the great outdoors.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMILY HENDERSON
The powersports industry is in high gear and it’s easy to see why. The exhilaration that comes with getting outside on an ATV, side by side, or dirt bike in search of wide-open spaces or remote tracks and trails is addictive. For those looking to unleash their next great outdoor adventure, Wade Wheatley of Columbus Outfitters and Columbus Cycle Shop stands ready to introduce customers to their new rides. And he’s been doing it for over 30 years.
“We started here in 2003,” said Wade. “I was always involved in powersports products and I used to race Yamaha dirt bikes when I was younger. The guys I worked with before were looking to join forces with me and we wanted to open a powersports place. That was the beginning.” Columbus was the perfect home for Columbus Outfitters and Columbus Cycle Shop and Wade couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.
“Columbus is a great city,” shared Wade. “Both my kids were born here. My wife’s been a teacher here for 30 years. We live right in the middle of Columbus and enjoy the city. There’s a lot of great people here that enjoy the small-town life atmosphere. We’ll be here until the day I die. It’s also a great community to do business in. I always say that we’re the crossroads of everywhere. Being situated between Houston, Austin, and San Antonio … you’re going to pass us at some point. Customers have come in and said, ‘I’ve driven by this place 100 times and always wanted to stop.’ When they stop, they see what we have, and
Above, Wade Wheatley welcomes everyone looking for outdoor adventure to stop by.
that’s just the beginning of the relationship for us.”
With a captivating smile, Wade is quick to talk about what motivates him day in and day out after all his years in the biz.
“We focus on customer service like we have for years,” added Wade. ”That’s the number one thing to all of us. We want to make sure the customer is happy. I enjoy when people walk in the door. They’re smiling! Kids run over to one of the bikes or the ATVs. They’re walking in here happy to buy something that’s fun and are ready to sit down with a professional to learn about the products and help them figure out what they need to do to get going. It’s a pleasant working experience.”
But Wade also knows he couldn’t do it all alone. Surrounding himself with talent is what has made Columbus Outfitters and Columbus Cycle Shop the success it is today.
“Our staff is integral to everything we do,” shared Wade. “From our sales to our service department, I have the pleasure of working with some top-notch folks. Speaking of our service department, we’re proud to have certified guys that know exactly what they’re doing and fix it right the first time. It’s a blast to work around such happy, smiling people every day.”
Of course, all work and no play would make for a pretty dull life for Wade. Somehow, he manages to escape the dealership on occasion to pursue his passions.
“I spend a lot of time outdoors fishing, hunting, riding ATVs and side by sides,” said Wade. “And, of course, spending time with my family is vital. That’s the most important thing in my life, spending time with family. And when we’re outdoors, we’re using all the same stuff that we sell here. We sell it because I got tired of driving to Houston to buy it. That’s how we evolved into also selling hunting, fishing and camping gear. We’re proud to be an all-around outdoor store.”
Columbus Outfitters and Columbus Cycle Shop is located at 3969 Highway 90 (I-10 Exit 698) in Columbus and online at www. columbusoutfitters.com.
