Customer-focused shop meets full range of outdoor supply needs
It’s easy to see how people fall in love with the gentle sound of a stream, fresh evergreen smells and entrancing natural beauty of the great outdoors. That’s a love story David Roberts can relate to.
Born and raised in Hoover, Roberts remembers playing by the creek as a child. “That’s where it all started,” Roberts says about his passion for nature.
And it only grew from there when one of his friends taught him about hunting, fishing and firearms. Roberts took that knowledge and went on to work for several local gun stores, learning the ins and outs of the business.
Eventually, he decided it was time to set out on his own and create an outdoor supply business that not only offered the products people needed, but could also help make a difference in the community. So in February, he opened All American Outdoors in Hoover.
Located right off of U.S. 31 next to Hoover Florist and Green Valley Drug, the shop is only about 1 ½ miles from where Roberts grew up, making the store opening even more special. Now living in Bluff Park, he has truly brought his dream shop home.
This full-service outdoor store offers shooting equipment, hunting gear, fishing gear, camping equipment, boots/footwear, apparel and accessories. They carry guns from manufacturers like Glock, Steyr, Heckler & Koch, Smith & Wesson, Kimber and Walther — and they can answer customer questions about all of them.
The store also has products for the modern hunter, including scents, blinds, decoys, traps, calls and apparel — whether they’re hunting deer or turkeys. Customers will also find fishing supplies such as reels, rods, lures and bait.
“We’ve got everything from fishing gear, like poles, rods and lures, to hunting products, like turkey feeders and outfits,” Roberts says. “We also have a large variety of firearms and ammunition.”
But something else people will find at the shop, which is what Roberts says really sets them apart, is a great customer experience. Making the customer the priority has been Roberts’s goal from the start — and was a driving force for opening All American Outdoors.
“We pride ourselves on customer service,” he says. “You’ll find a lot of southern hospitality. We’re a family business.”
That welcoming feeling comes in part because of the dedicated team he’s put together. “It’s the best team I’ve ever worked with,” Roberts says. “Customers feel like they’re seeing family members behind the counter. There’s such a friendly, down-home feeling.”
He currently has six team members and says he hopes to grow to 10 to 12 by Black Friday. Each employee brings a great attitude, experience and readiness to help the customers. And some people might even recognize one of the store’s sales managers, George Wehby, who had a show on Personal Defense TV.
“We want people to come to work and enjoy what they’re doing,” Roberts says. “We want them to have so much fun helping customers that they don’t feel like they’re working. We’ve put together one of the best teams in the world.”
They also have an in-house gun smith, and his work station is open, allowing customers to watch their firearms get worked on first-hand. “He can explain what he’s doing so they know exactly what they’re paying for,” Roberts explains.
Beyond their expertise, something else that sets this customer-focused team apart is their faith. They end their sales meetings each day with prayer, giving them a solid start to the day.
Since All American Outdoor opened, Roberts says he’s enjoyed seeing the community’s reaction to his shop. “They’ve opened up to us and welcomed us,” he says. “They’re glad we’re here, and they like the friendly atmosphere.”
While he’s currently focused on making the Hoover business the best, Roberts says he plans to expand to other nearby locations in the next three to four years.
Looking ahead, Roberts says they also have plenty of exciting plans in the works, like fall events and a fishing tournament next spring. They’re also working on creating an All American Outdoors foundation to give back to the community, something that’s especially important for Roberts. He’s already involved with organizations like Wigs for Kids and The Big Oak Ranch and wants to expand on that.
So whether someone’s an outdoor novice or has been hunting and fishing for decades, there are supplies and products for them all. And on top of that, they will find a team that works to improve their overall experience.
“Come by and see what the difference is between us and other outdoor facilities,” Roberts says.
They are open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All American Outdoors is located at 1901 B Hoover Court. For more information, visit Allamericanoutdoors.net or follow them on Facebook.
