After growing up in Franklin, Kelton Bailey graduated from Western Carolina University’s Parks and Recreation Management program. The outdoors has been a long-time passion of Bailey’s – he spent summers at a camp in Minnesota’s boundary waters and was able to acquire a seasonal position in his hometown at Outdoor 76 during the winters. After a couple of seasons, Bailey came on as a full-time employee.

With two locations, one in Franklin, NC, and the other in Clayton, GA, Outdoor 76 is a specialty outfitter retail store carrying shirts, hats, footwear, and gear thru-hikers often need. Supporting the hiking community, they also offer services like mail drops, shipping, laundry, in-store Wi-Fi, a hiker’s lounge, and a tap room. No matter the position of the employee, all work together to answer customer questions, fit people for shoes, pour beers, and general tasks required in any retail store. 

Footwear is the backbone of the store, according to Bailey. Especially for thru-hikers, finding the proper footwear  can make a big difference in their performance. Their offerings are not only popular with hikers, though;  customers include mechanics, nurses, and other professionals who spend a lot of time on their feet.

Bailey learned about the importance of the right support from a “resident shoe expert” who is very knowledgeable in the body’s muscular and skeletal system, and much of his time at work is spent learning about which shoes are best for various activities. He engages customers in conversations about their needs, shows them how to accurately find the right fit, and helps them find the perfect pair to provide comfort and support.

“For me personally, I see that as something really precious and really valuable,” Bailey said. “It’s a tangible way to give something to someone that helps them do the things they love to do.”

In addition to fitting customers for shoes, Bailey performs other tasks throughout the day including tidying inventory spaces and arranging displays as well as helping people plan their adventures by looking at maps together, talking about nearby waterfalls, and chatting with them while they enjoy a pint of beer.

“That is what I enjoy most — making genuine connections with people,” Bailey said. “People take the time to share about themselves and where they want to explore.”

Building connections with their patrons has built a community of regulars at Outdoor 76. Bailey said one group comes in weekly to enjoy a beer and chat, and many customers return every time they need a new pair of shoes. Locals often come in frequently to browse the inventory and see what is new, and Bailey and the other staff members enjoy catching up with them each visit.

“I’m really big on community,” Bailey said. “I love this place and the people here. I love the mountains of Western North Carolina, so my goals are kind of motivated around those things. To be in this place and a part of this community; that’s something that I value massively. We are very serious here about helping people, so when other people come in and are passionate about it too, that’s something we love to build alongside these folks.”

Like any job, there are some challenges throughout the day. There are times when Bailey feels tired, hungry, or like he doesn’t quite understand the customer's needs, and still has to help customers as best he can. He likes to be the person who faces up to those challenges and presses on in spite of them. Taking care of himself by sleeping well and drinking enough water, taking breaks, and keeping snacks around help keep the challenges at bay.

Bailey enjoys his job and the small community of his coworkers, but said one downside is there are not often advancement opportunities as leadership positions rarely come open. He has loved his time at the store and his goal is to continue living in Franklin, so he hopes to continue to work in this space into the future.

“Sure, it’s just retail, but as a group, we are all naturally passionate about this place and its people, Bailey said. “We make connections with the goal of something bigger. That's one of the reasons that I'm so passionate about being at Outdoor 76.”

Kelton Bailey is a sales associate at Outdoor 76. Learn more at Outdoor76.com.