Garretson Sports

Garretson's Sport Center started with a phone call in 1965. Zeke Garretson, a high school coach at the time, was offered the chance to buy Bill's Sporting Goods in Sterling, Colorado. His father loaned him $5,000 to get started. Almost six decades later, the business is still family-run and thriving—now spanning three locations across Colorado and Georgia, with Zeke's son Todd running daily operations and Zeke's grandson Tyler expanding the company.

The original store operated out of a one-room storefront with Zeke's wife Maurine behind the counter while Zeke traveled to local high schools. Early inventory was basic: Converse Chuck Taylor shoes, athletic socks, t-shirts, baseballs, bats, gloves—and a few guns in a small display case.

"There wasn't a cash register back then, only a metal cash box. My parents had to fit shoes on the floor." — Todd Garretson, reflecting on the early days

• •Firearms, ammunition, and accessories
• •Hunting apparel and supplies
• •Fishing gear and tackle (including live bait: worms, nightcrawlers, minnows)
• •Archery equipment and targets
• •Ski and snowboard gear
• •Winter sports rentals (skis, snowboards, helmets, snowshoes)

• •Baseball/softball gloves, bats, balls, training gear
• •Basketball equipment and apparel
• •Football helmets, pads, protective gear, cleats
• •Soccer shin guards, cleats, balls, uniforms
• •Golf clubs, bags, gloves, cleats
• •Tennis racquets and accessories
• •Hockey skates and equipment

Cleats, boots, athletic shoes for every sport and season.

Unlike big-box chains, Garretson's handles everything locally:

• •Screen printing & embroidery — Custom team uniforms, corporate apparel, promotional items
• •Laser engraving — Trophies, awards, plaques, ribbons, wooden bats, baseball gloves
• •Vinyl lettering — Jackets, decals, banners, signage
• •Bow fitting — Draw length, draw weight, brace height, axle-to-axle adjustments
• •Baseball glove restringing — Worn or fallen-out strings, mesh repair
• •Racquet restringing — Broken or worn-out tennis and squash racquets
• •Skate sharpening — Speed and performance tuning
• •Glove steaming/softening — Break in stiff baseball and baseball gloves
• •Letter jacket customization — Quick turnaround, chenille patches available
• •Ski & snowboard rentals — Equipment for the whole family

The main Greeley store occupies a 25,000-square-foot building on the growing west side of town and features an archery lane, batting cage, ski shop, and live bait tank.

Garretson's has survived competition from big-box retailers by staying genuinely local. The staff includes hunters, fishers, skiers, and archers who actually use the gear they recommend. Their team of eight road specialists calls on schools and businesses throughout the region. In-house decoration services mean faster turnaround and better quality than national chains.

The company closes on Sundays by principle. As Zeke said: "If you can't make it in six days, you can't make it in seven." Six employees have worked there for over 25 years.