John has long envisioned responsibly outfitting outdoor exploration across West Virginia’s abundant wild spaces. In 2021, he obtained a business license for Country Roads Sporting Goods to make that vision a reality. Now in 2024, plans are in motion to bring his passion project to life.

Born in rural Preston County, John grew up venturing into the Appalachian Mountains, learning to hunt, fish, camp, and thrive outdoors from childhood. This lifelong participation in the state’s wilderness instilled in him a deep respect for both the breathtaking beauty and formidable challenges of West Virginia’s landscapes and seasons.  After serving in the military and working for years as a coal miner providing for his family, John decided to pursue his dream of sharing his home state’s natural gifts through strategic exploration and advocacy. 

The adventure begins by launching Country Roads Sporting Goods’ e-commerce store in early 2024. Two proprietary products showcase John’s commitment to responsible design – the Mountain Man Deer Feeder and Rainy-Day Rain Barrel (coming soon to the website), both fabricated from recycled materials. Plans are also underway for a physical store location.

OUR MISSION

John began Country Roads Sporting Goods with a single, core belief – that connecting people with nature should be done in a way that protects that gift for the future. From this vision, our mission was born: Responsibly outfit exploration of West Virginia’s wild spaces so their gifts can be appreciated for generations to come.

OUR VALUES

Standing by our founding purpose to champion responsible recreation and enjoyment of our wilderness legacy, we carefully create and curate gear designed specifically for West Virginia’s diverse environments. When sourcing products, we evaluate each based on how well it upholds values like:

• Locally-Made Craftsmanship
• Sustainable Materials and Production
• Equipment Longevity and Reliability
• Responsible and Ethical Sourcing
• Support for West Virginia’s Communities
• Environmental Stewardship and Conservation

While still growing, Country Roads Sporting Goods aims to provide specialty gear that educates generations on sustainable participation in our wilderness legacy. We will champion these principles proudly as we outfit West Virginia’s next adventure seekers.