NORTHPORT—It’s been 10 years in the making for Carl Kosmo to fully realize his dream of being a fully stocked hunting, fishing, archery and camping outfitter, and on Saturday, July 20, Outdoor Sportsman hosted a grand re-opening to show off its new retail space.

With complimentary hot dogs, jambalaya and soda offered outside, customers walked into the 30,000 square foot space feeling like it was an entirely new store, and that’s because it was.

The building next door that previously housed the original store has been closed off for offices. This new expansion took three years to build complete with outdoor equipment and clothing, a gun room, a basement archery range, an outdoor archery course, a gun range and a third floor whose possibilities are still in the works.

“This has been my dad’s lifelong dream,” said manager Michelle Kosmo, who estimated 750 people came to the opening. “We’re excited to offer much more equipment, more Carharrt clothing for women, men and children, more fishing and camping supplies.”

In addition to rentals of canoes and kayaks, the store also offers classes and courses in archery, hunting, crossbow, ATV and trapping safety. “State law requires anyone who wants a license in these areas take a certified course and our courses fulfill the requirement of those licenses,” said Carl Kosmo.

Carl Kosmo, who has been an avid outdoorsman all of his life, offers a range of the equipment he has always used himself. “I’ve been in this business for 45 years and this location has been in operation for 28 years,” he said. “Pretty much everything in this store is something I’ve been interested in as an activity.”

Archery has been one of Carl’s primary interests and the store reflects that. The store has the only indoor archery range in the Midcoast with 10, 20 and 30 yard lines along with 30 acres behind their facility with 30 Rinehart and McKenzie targets, along with an impressive section inside the store containing every kind of bow (new and used and even left handed models) and arrows.

Michelle Kosmo provided a glimpse of the store’s third floor, a fully finished attic space which could potentially be used for speakers, authors, yoga, classes and more. “We’re still in the process of figuring out how to use that space,” she said and welcomed ideas from the public. She can be reached at sports@maineoutdoorsportsman.com

For more information on Outdoor Sportsman visit: www.maineoutdoorsportsman.com

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com