Birmingham-based Alabama Outdoors Inc. has been sold to SMAO LLC, a local investment group led by Scott McCrory, who will now serve as president of the outdoor specialty retail chain.  Alabama Outdoors currently operates six retail locations throughout Alabama, an online retail store and an online outlet store.

“My investor group has all been shopping here for years and all are avid outdoorsman in one way or another,” said McCrory, a CPA who has run several businesses, including a home theater and AV shop. “The name alone in this area brings back great memories. We were attracted to the brand and shopping experience and when we had an opportunity we jumped on it.”

The investment group consists of locals, including members of a prominent Birmingham family that has made many philanthropic investments in the community. “They really care about community and want to see investments they make have a real impact in people's lives.”

Alabama Outdoors has shrunk from 10 brick-and-mortar stores to six since 2008 and was being run “pretty lean” when acquired said McCrory. Immediate focus will be on improving the company’s online store and making necessary inventory management changes. McCrory said he hopes to keep remaining staff in their positions and preserve the store’s reputation for great customer service.

“In the few weeks we've been in, we’ve seen an uptick in business,” said McCrory. “We are not under any illusions we will go back to 2005, 06, or 07. We are poised for good fall season moving into Xmas and focusing on Spring 2011. By then we will have had time to put our signature on the business.

McCrory said he and two buyers will attend the Outdoor Retailer show next month in Salt Lake City. 

Alabama Outdoors operates six locations throughout the state in Homewood, Tuscaloosa, Huntsville, Mobile and Florence, with an outlet in Pelham.

Don Metz, J.T. Price and Logan Gewin with Porter White & Co. served as exclusive financial advisors and Russell Cunningham of Red Mountain Law represented the buyers.