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SOUTH DAKOTA RETAILERS ASSOCIATION NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release: January 11, 2022 Contact: Shuree Mortenson, 605.224.5050 smortenson@sdra.org TRAVAS UTHE OF WATERTOWN NAMED RETAILER OF THE YEAR PIERRE (SD) – Travas Uthe, owner of Trav’s Outfitter in Watertown, has been named Retailer of the Year by the South Dakota Retailers Association (SDRA). The award was presented in conjunction with the organization’s 125th annual meeting in Pierre. SDRA has presented the Retailer of the Year Award annually since 1982 to recognize businesses committed to excellence in their business while making a positive difference in their local community. Uthe says lessons learned from his father, a lineman, guided his goal to sell only quality products. “From the time I was very young my dad would always talk about buying things once and investing good money in the product that would hold up and help him to perform his role as a lineman,” Uthe recalled. “So we go out and source quality products that allow customers to have a better life, to be safer at their jobs, to enjoy the outdoors better.” Uthe has been in retail continuously since age 15, after discovering he enjoyed the art of the sale and the challenge that came with finding the right product for the customer. Launched out of Uthe’s garage in late 2003, Trav’s Outfitter soon opened a small store and began operating a boot truck that provides onsite sales of work boots at manufacturing facilities. The business continued to grow, leading to construction of a 28,000 square foot store in July 2018. A staff of 40 sells apparel and footwear for the working person, as well as hunting, athletic and motorcycle clothing and footwear. The focus on quality products, personalized customer service and honesty has brought a loyal following. “From the time I was 15 years old I’ve been selling to the same people,” Uthe said. “If we take care of people, they keep coming back. I have some customers that I sold to Grandpa, and now I’m selling to the 4th generation.” -30-
SOUTH DAKOTA RETAILERS ASSOCIATION NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release: January 11, 2022
Contact: Shuree Mortenson, 605.224.5050 smortenson@sdra.org
TRAVAS UTHE OF WATERTOWN NAMED RETAILER OF THE YEAR
PIERRE (SD) – Travas Uthe, owner of Trav’s Outfitter in Watertown, has been named Retailer of the Year by the South Dakota Retailers Association (SDRA). The award was presented in conjunction with the organization’s 125th annual meeting in Pierre.
SDRA has presented the Retailer of the Year Award annually since 1982 to recognize businesses committed to excellence in their business while making a positive difference in their local community.
Uthe says lessons learned from his father, a lineman, guided his goal to sell only quality products.
“From the time I was very young my dad would always talk about buying things once and investing good money in the product that would hold up and help him to perform his role as a lineman,” Uthe recalled. “So we go out and source quality products that allow customers to have a better life, to be safer at their jobs, to enjoy the outdoors better.”
Uthe has been in retail continuously since age 15, after discovering he enjoyed the art of the sale and the challenge that came with finding the right product for the customer.
Launched out of Uthe’s garage in late 2003, Trav’s Outfitter soon opened a small store and began operating a boot truck that provides onsite sales of work boots at manufacturing facilities. The business continued to grow, leading to construction of a 28,000 square foot store in July 2018. A staff of 40 sells apparel and footwear for the working person, as well as hunting, athletic and motorcycle clothing and footwear.
The focus on quality products, personalized customer service and honesty has brought a loyal following.
“From the time I was 15 years old I’ve been selling to the same people,” Uthe said. “If we take care of people, they keep coming back. I have some customers that I sold to Grandpa, and now I’m selling to the 4th generation.”
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