By Louie Stout
D&R Sports Center in Kalamazoo needs little introduction. It’s arguably one of the biggest independent outdoor stores and boat dealerships in the country.
And it continues to grow, with the most recent expansion of the retail store in 2021, to include a larger gun/hunting and tackle section and a separate boat showroom along with an expansive service department.
The boat service department offers 4 boat rigging bays, 9 service bays and 4 boat detail and delivery bays.
What began in 1982 as a 1,200-foot retail outlet has grown into 21,000 square feet of retail space, 9,000 square feet of boat showroom and 72,000 feet of indoor boat storage, says Jonathon VanDam, general manager of retail operations, and an accomplished pro tournament angler.
“In that 21,000 square feet, we have around 2,000 firearms in stock and about 6,200 square feet of tackle with the rest devoted to marine accessories, archery, hunting accessories and apparel,” said VanDam, son of store owner Randy VanDam.
The name “D&R Sports Center” was derived from “Dad and Randy,” and sprouted when Dick VanDam, who owned a construction company, teamed up with elder son Randy to start a tackle shop operation.
“We fished and hunted throughout the country as a family and figured we could offer tackle that was tough to get locally,” said Randy. “We added ‘sports’ to the name in case we decided to branch into other sports activities.”
It has remained a family operation with several family members on the staff.
Like Jonathon, Kevin VanDam, considered one of the greatest all-time bass tournament anglers and brother of Randy, worked there in retail and boat sales as a teenager, before launching his storied career.
And while D&R is commonly considered a bass fishing shop, Jonathon says big water fishing for walleye, trout and salmon is a big part of their business. It also has a full service fly shop.
For years, D&R’s boat business has ranked among the top dealerships in the country, and continually ranks among the top 10 White River Marine dealerships in the U.S. as well as a top Mercury Marine dealer with certified mechanics.
White River Marine encompasses Tracker, Nitro, Triton, Ranger and Mako fishing boats and pontoons.
D&R is well known for their bass boat sales but offer everything from kayaks and small waterfowl boats to Great Lakes trollers, walleye boats and pontoons.
In addition to full service boat rigging, repairs, tune-ups and winterizing, the service department provides full service on trolling motors and shallow water anchors and specializes in wiring of electronics.
“We offer full-scale expertise in a number of outdoor activities,” said Jonathon. “Our employees live and breathe the outdoors and several of them have more than 20 years’ experience with us. Regardless of your preferred outdoor sport, we have someone who works here who has that expertise.”