SLE Outside Likely to Vacate Store

SEELEY LAKE - During the superintendent's report at the July Seeley Lake Elementary Board meeting, Chris Stout announced that SLE Outside, the retail/rental shop in the Bison and Bear Center will likely vacate their space when the lease ends in September.

"I think that's what we're going to do," said Stout. "It really hasn't worked out for our needs and... it's still fairly expensive [to lease]."

SLE Outside ended up with a $10,000 deficit from November 2015-November 2016, but Stout said that expenses aren't the only reason for the change.

"The whole idea is the store aspect of it was supposed to be very minimal," said Stout. "It wasn't just opening a retail store, it was more a community focal point...almost like a community development center but also have the store there as a revenue source and a learning center."

Stout mentioned that some aspects of his original idea, such as having live music in the parking lot, haven't panned out with the location and lease agreement of the current shop.

Plan B is still in the works. There is potential to move the retail potion of the business online, where Stout said students will have an easier time participating since the school offers coding and web design classes during the school day. Another idea is to look into sharing retail space with another organization in town.

One thing that remains certain is that rental business will continue as usual.

"We might actually do a better job if we're not managing a full-time retail store at the same time," Stout said.

The rental equipment will likely be relocated to the elementary school unless another location is found. SLE Outside members will be able to rent equipment from the school for day use or over weekends.

Stout said the store has approximately $35,000 of sellable inventory at the moment. Even if they close the retail location, he plans to sell it either online or through clearance sales.

In terms of rental equipment, Stout estimates about $50,000 worth of assets between kayaks, paddleboards, skis and other recreation rentals.

"Regardless of if the store closed tomorrow, we'd incorporate it all into the school program," said Stout noting that there were students out on the lake paddle boarding as he spoke. "Even if we closed up shop we wouldn't be in the hole because it's stuff we'd want regardless."

At the next board meeting Aug. 15, Stout will present a more complete state of the store, along with a more concrete idea of what the future of SLE Outside will look like.

"There's a lot of ideas out there," said Stout. "After September is our slow time anyhow, so we'll keep the retail open until then, and then we'll figure out plan B, C or D at that time."