Quest Outdoors has become the newest retail member of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, which represents independent outdoor specialty retailers.



Quest Outdoors opened its doors in the Fall of 1983 in a 2,000-square-foot store on Breckenridge Lane in Louisville, KY. The intervening years saw the original store grow substantially and in 2003 the Summit location opened up. After outgrowing its first location, it moved a few doors down to where it currently operates. In 2011, Quest Outdoors branched out again with the opening of their third and largest location in the Shelbyville Road Plaza.

Quest is still locally owned and is proud to be a part of the greater Kentucky and Indiana area.

“I feel like I just got called up to the Major Leagues, said Quest owner Ryan King of becoming a retail member of Grassroots. It’s something we have been contemplating for years and the time was right. On our 30-year anniversary I cannot think of anything better than to join the best 45 independent outdoor retailers in the country.”

King said he spoke with Allliance member Mike Massey – owner of Masseys Professional Outfitters – for an hour about what it means to be part of the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance.

“That amazing conversation and all the things I learned from him in that short hour before the show, truly illuminated how important it was to be part of a bigger picture, King said. Grassroots to us is more than a monetary gain. It’s a chance to learn and to teach.

Quest will be attending the Grassroots Early Show being held from June 10-13, 2013 in Ogden, UT.

“I must admit I was hesitant at first, probably because I like the idea, like most independent business owners, of arriving on your own steam. After talking with everyone, I knew that was not at stake, all of us have built businesses that we can be proud of and we can call our own. I now realize through just a small taste of the Grassroots experience how truly valuable being together in this complicated retail environment is. Everyone has arrived where they are in this select gathering by different paths even if they are similar. I tell people all the time it is far better to know more than less and I think I am following my own advice.”


“There are many complexities that come with the outdoor industry. Joining this talented group of retailers who have literally seen it all is an honor. There are many perks to membership but the one I hold most valuable is the friendships to come.