New Army surplus store fills niche market in area
Warren Campbell owns the Redoubt Surplus and Tactical store with his wife Jill. The Army surplus store fills a niche in Bonners Ferry with their variety of wares. Photos by TANNA YEOUMANS
Photo by TANNA YEOUMANS The Army surplus store fills a niche in Bonners Ferry with their variety of wares.
Photo by TANNA YEOUMANS They sell a wide variety of outdoor equipment, including warm clothing.
BONNERS FERRY — In the former Pape Building, there have been a variety of changes. The first change that the community may have noticed was the implementation of Redoubt Surplus and Tactical, owned by Warren and Jill Campbell.
Formerly, the Campbells lived in California and operated an army surplus store there for several years. When they were ready to move on from there, they visited the Coeur d’Alene and Athol areas and decided to settle there.
“We came up to Athol and bought a beautiful homesite,” said Campbell. “We had our business in Dalton Gardens for about four years.”
About what brought the family to Idaho, Campbell said, “I had traveled here previously and saw the beauty of it. The main reason we chose Idaho, is because it is a more freedom-loving and liberty-oriented state. There are more Constitutionally-minded people in the state, homeschooling is very easy here.”
The couple adopted their now 12-year-old son, so having the extra freedoms of homeschooling and its subsequent community support, was an important matter in choosing a place to settle.
The couple still currently own their house in Athol, though it is on the market, and have property ideas for purchase in Boundary County.
They have noticed they have a niche in selling medical supplies such as first aid kits, tourniquets, and cold weather clothes. They also sell wool clothing, blankets and cold weather jackets.
“Even in the off season, that is some of the stuff folks are still buying,” said Warren Campbell. “We have been thanked by a number of people for coming. I offer any wares that I, myself use, for example this shirt that I have on. I like it, it fits, and it’s warm.”
Warren Campbell was raised near the Sequoia National Park and his family and him would often backpack into the mountains for an adventure.
“A certain amount of survival skills, I was always interested in, so the surplus line was a natural thing,” said Warren Campbell. “I like the smell of the canvas, it was a natural move for me.”
Since the opening of the store, the team has noticed things that they sell more of than others, such as medical kits and clothing.
“The response has been tremendous for the store,” said Warren Campbell. “Beyond our expectations. Bonners Ferry and Boundary County has really come through for us.”
As they continue to be an asset to the community, the Campbells will continue their plans with the business in as time goes on.
“I would like the community to know that we extend a heartfelt thanks for their support,” said Warren Campbell. “They have just gone way above and beyond in just four weeks. Some people told us that we fill the niche. Thank you to all those people that have made us feel welcome.”
Redoubt Surplus and Tactical is located at 6606 Hwy 95 in the former Pape Building. Their phone number is 208-772-4007, and their web address is http://www.redoubtsurplus.com.