Interview with Louise Maddox, owner
Q: How did you get involved in this business?
A: It’s been a family-owned business since the beginning. My mother ran the store at first, and then she was my brother’s partner, and then I bought my brother out so that my mother and I were partners. Then, I bought her out and now I’m the sole owner.
Q: What distinguishes you from other businesses in your category?
A: I know what I’m talking about. I give that personal attention that customers don’t find at large chains. I talk to a lot of customers and I know what the fishing conditions are. I know more about what’s going on than the rangers at the lakes. The big stores call me to find out the fishing conditions, which says a lot.
Q: What do you like best about your line of work?
A: The majority of my customers are wonderful. I like to find out where they’re going fishing and then I tell them what to use. After they catch fish they always come back in the store and tell me how well they did. I want them all to catch fish and won’t sell them something that won’t help them do that.
Q: What is your business’ biggest challenge?
A: The big competitors. They’ve put at least 22 tackle shops out of business and now there’s only about three of us left. They’ve run everybody out. Also, the slow season. You have two weeks of dead period in the winter when you can’t fish from the shore because the ice is forming and you can’t get on the ice because it’s too soft.
Q: Something people might be surprised to learn about you or your business:
A: I think people are amazed that a woman knows anything about fishing. If I have a man sitting behind the counter and I’m here, the customer will always address the man. I also used to write articles about fishing, and I was “Lou Maddox.” The shop has been here since Parker Road was a two-lane dirt road, and look at it now.
Profile
Business: Valley Country Bait and Tackle
Address: 4351 S. Parker Road
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday
Founded: 1959
Contact: 303-680-3544,
Employees: 4
