(L to R) Shannon, Graham, Campbell, Sterling, Kent and Jennings Parsons.
Barron’s Outfitters, Inc. is a family owned and operated hunting and fishing business located at 1725 Harden Street in Columbia. Kent Parsons and his dad, George, shopped at Barron’s over the years. When George was planning his retirement from his endodontic practice, he decided he was ready to try something new, and Kent was ready for the challenge of operating a small business. In 1998, the Parsons became the second family to own Barron’s since Charlie Barron opened the business in 1947.
Barron’s has always been customer focused and service oriented and the Parsons family has continued that philosophy. Sportsmen serving sportsmen – this assures customers that the staff is knowledgeable and willing to go the extra mile to provide the products and service that they have come to expect. “We offer services for both the beginner and experienced sportsman,” Kent says. “As general manager and co-owner, my goal is to grow the business. So we have added new product lines and will continue to do so as the market demands. However, we are still committed to offering Barron’s traditional services, including rod, reel and gun cleaning, and repair services.”
Barron’s commitment to its customers has allowed the business to compete successfully over the years with the influx of large sports stores into the area. “We sell quality products, we focus on customer service, and we’re small enough to adapt as needed,” Kent says. “We also support the community through sponsorship and participation in both civic and charitable activities.”
Growing a family business has a second meaning for Kent. He and his wife, Shannon, are the parents of four boys. Over time, customers will meet and get to know the Parsons boys as they grow and learn the business themselves. Sterling, 4, already loves to fish and thinks cleaning up at the hunt club is fun. While he will tire of that quickly enough, he and his brothers will surely develop their dad’s and granddad’s love of hunting and fishing.
Visit Barron’s Outfitters for your hunting needs, as well as everything you need for both fresh and saltwater fishing. Don’t forget the sportsman always appreciates a gift from Barron’s Outfitters.
Visit the store at 1725 Harden Street or online at www.BarronsOutfitters.com, or call (803) 254-5537.
