Where Ralph and Dorothy Emerson opened their modest variety store on Groveton’s Main Street more than 70 years ago, a sign over the door boasted “nothing over a dollar.”

Through the years, the store evolved, supplying not only hardware and building supplies to the area, but also an array of sporting goods equipment, especially to those traveling north to fish and hunt and snowmobile.

About every 20 years since the Emersons had to rebuild their store when fire wiped them out in the 1950s, there have been renovations to accommodate their growing business.

In the last month of 2004, the family business has expanded all right, right into a 30,000 square foot store on Route 3 that will not just offer outdoor equipment, but an experience for those on the road heading north.

“If we weren’t going to go south to build this, this is absolutely the best spot to build this,” Brian Emerson, the grandson of Ralph and Dorothy. “With Pittsburg, Clarksville and Stewartstown being the final destination, its far enough away for people to stop and stretch their legs. I won’t want anyone driving by without stopping.”

The store is Emerson Outdoor Outfitters. It brought the sporting good arm of the family store up the road a ways, leaving behind the original store (Emerson Home Center) that will continue to sell an expanding line of hardware and building supplies.

The new store is hard-to-miss construction. Inside, there are areas to cater to gun and archery enthusiasts - even a video practice room for archers to take aim at game on a large screen – as well as clothing and other equipment for snowmobilers. There are also displays of game throughout the store, all indigenous to the North Country.

Along with the equipment needed by sportsmen, a large function room, which will be used for seminars and training for customers and employees, this store is a must-stop-destination!