SEELEY LAKE – Rocky Mountain Adventure Gear (RMAG) in Seeley Lake is under new ownership and operating with a new business model offering outdoor recreation rentals.
Moose Jergesen and Duane Anderson purchased RMAG from Mike and Cathy Kahnle and also Seeley Sport Rentals from Bob Skiles. RMAG now offers the "best of both worlds" providing a one-stop-shop for winter and summer motorized and non-motorized rentals as well as offering a selection of outdoor merchandise.
Jergesen was the general manager for Kurt's Polaris in Seeley Lake for the past 18 months. He said many people would ask if there was a place to rent snowmobiles in the winter and pontoons and personal watercraft in the summer. When Jergesen heard that Skiles was looking to get out of the rental business and knew RMAG was for sale he started tossing around ideas.
"Boats and snowmobiles are so expensive for the time that most people get to use them," said Jergesen. "My goal is to give visitors and locals the opportunity to go out and play. We are a gateway to Glacier National Park. If everyone in town can work together to get people here and then get them to stay by making this a vacation place."
When Jergesen told his friend Anderson about his idea to get a rental business going in Seeley Lake, Anderson thought this might be the perfect opportunity to merge the two businesses.
"After living in Seeley Lake for 12 years, I've always wanted to have my toe in the water of the business community in Seeley Lake. With Moose's experience in this business, this place [RMAG], at this time [opportunity to buy Seeley Sport Rentals], we have the best chance of being successful," said Anderson. "It is the best of two worlds with a main street address and exposure."
Jergesen and Anderson decided to keep the name RMAG because "It's a catchy name. Adventure catches the eye," said Jergesen. "We also have all the retail merchandise, signs and the name is out there with a good reputation."
Anderson added, "The name is descriptive. We are selling adventure and renting gear to achieve that."
RMAG will continue to offer all the same types of equipment that was available from Seeley Sport Rentals. Jergesen is working on doubling his inventory including: snowmobiles complete with helmets, suits and gloves, cross country skies, snow shoes, pontoons, personal watercrafts, run-about boats, fishing boats, paddle boards, kayaks and canoes. Soon they will add ice-fishing packages that will have everything needed for a day of ice fishing on the lakes. Jergesen said he will deliver rentals to the Swan Valley and over to Lincoln if requested.
Once they get their insurance approved, RMAG also hopes to rent snow bikes, campers, RV's and RZR side-by-sides. They are also exploring rental gear for backcountry skiers and snowboarders.
RMAG will continue to operate a retail business that targets the seasons. While their winter stock is low this year because it is too far into the season to place orders, Jergesen is stocking up for summer. RMAG is planning to offer bathing suits, sandals, beach towels and other recreation-related merchandise.
A long-term goal for Jergesen is to offer packages that cater to the Montana experience. In conjunction with lodging, visitors could purchase a rental package from RMAG complete with an al-a-cart selection matched to their recreational needs.
"That's what I like about my partner, every other day he has an idea," said Anderson. "It will be interesting to see where evolution will take us. We have no preconceived notions about what business is. We will let the market drive us." Anderson and Jergesen welcome ideas and suggestions to help them best serve the community.
RMAG is located on Highway 83 in downtown Seeley Lake. They are open seven days per week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the winter and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the summer. They can be reached by calling 677-8300. They are in the process of transitioning websites and the RMAG Facebook page. Watch for updates on https://www.facebook.com/RockyMountainAdventureGearInc/?fref=ts, http://www.rockymtngear.com and http://www.seeleysportrentals.com
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