Bikes, boards, bites, beer and more posted on 03/01/2023
Edwin Berns, better known as Wynn, just opened his first
outdoor recreation shop in Welches, Goodwynn’s, but his sights are much, much
higher. His goal is to rival outdoor recreation chain REI with 300 of his own
locations, each with 3,000 square feet, in places such as Bend and Aspen, Colo.
“If it will work here, it’ll work in those other locations,”
he said. “Got to shoot high.”
Wynn, who was born in Waitsfield, Vt. and had a grandfather
who ran a store, described his new business endeavor as a “one stop Mountain
shop,” similar to a Vermont country store that also has a ski, snowboard and
bike shop.
Goodwynn’s will offer a variety of outdoor gear, clothing
and services, but customers can also hang out and enjoy a meal, beer and
non-alcoholic beverages, or just grab something ready made on their way up or
down the Mountain.
“Every weekend’s been growing,” Wynn said, noting that it’s
been a draw for people who want to go to a bar but not drink alcohol.
“Everybody is saying it’s what we needed on the Mountain, which is a cool
thing.”
Wynn, who was a ski athlete, coached skiing and spent 10
years working locally at Windells, noted he looked at a lot of different places
before he found his current location, where The Fly Fishing Shop once served
countless people seeking Mountain recreation.
He noted that the area has changed a lot in recent years,
but with more vacation rental properties and the number of skiers (both
recreationally and those who seek a career in the sport) that pass through,
there is a need for a business like his.
“Every pro, every kid that’s a serious skier has to come
through here at some point,” Wynn said.
Wynn’s focus is on local and hard to find items, with local
vendors including Treefort and Govy 500, with gear that stresses performance and
quality, while also maintaining a presence with fly fishing and serving the
biking community.
His efforts are expected to be boosted this month with the
addition of a couple of food trucks behind his building, while he noted his
plans include six total trucks on site year-round with indoor and outdoor
dining.
Wynn’s vision for the future could also include movie
premieres, morning yoga and workspaces that offer internet and printer access
for people who need to stay connected while on the Mountain. His goal is also
to be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, in order to serve the
first people up the Mountain and the last ones who come down.
“That’s what we’re really striving to do; always here if
something breaks or if they need a meal,” Wynn said.
Goodwynn’s is located at 67296 Hwy. 26 in Welches. For more
information, visit https://www.goodwynns.com/ or email info@goodwynns.com.
By Garth Guibord/MT | 
