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From left to right, business owners Mark White, Billy Berry and Rob Damewood stand in front of a high-tech target at Three Rivers Archery and Outdoors in Longview. Bill Wagner / The Daily News

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Three hunters aim to attract archery enthusiasts

Monday, February 25, 2008 5:33 AM PST

By Erik Olson

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Three local outdoors enthusiasts are hoping their latest business venture will fly as true as an arrow.

Mark White of Longview, Rod Damewood of Kelso, and Billy Berry of Toutle have opened Three Rivers Archery and Outdoor next to the Longview Goodwill. In addition to selling bows, arrows and hunting gear, Three Rivers has an indoor shooting range and video target practice.

The three men are all hunters, but they want the store to support archery as a sport for anyone.

"You don't have to be a burly guy that goes hunting every weekend to feel welcome in the store," said White, 37.

Three Rivers has about 70 bows in stock. The store is offering brands that haven't been marketed in other areas, a niche that Berry said will help the business succeed. Three Rivers also can repair bows, he said.

Bows can cost from $60 to $800. A starter's kit, complete with bow, arrows, a how-to guide and other necessities, runs $669.

"You've got guys who want the Mazeratis because they're tired of the Dodge," said Berry, 43. "Well, we've got Dodges and Mazeratis."

White added that he hopes the speciality brands will draw customers from outside the Cowlitz County area, such as Vancouver or Olympia.

In the future, the Three Rivers owners plan to add a separate section dedicated to waterfowl hunting, White said.

The 40-yard target range will be open to anyone for a small charge, but the bows and arrows won't be provided, Berry said. Berry worked at Bob's Sporting Goods for nine years, so he brings experience running an outdoors shop. White, a supervisor at JM Huber, and Damewood, 37, who co-owns Advanced Electronics, provided the necessary capital.

Three Rivers Archery opened this weekend, but the grand opening is scheduled for March. The business is located at 1030 15th Ave. Suite 500.

Longtime Longview preschool operator retiring at end of year

A long-running Longview preschool will soon see a new owner.

Kids' World, located at 811 20th Ave., will be run by new owners Anne and Tony Burt beginning this summer. Phyllis Dowell, who has run the school for 15 years, said she will finish the school year, then retire.

"It's going to be a big change for me," Dowell said of selling the school.

For more information on Kid's World, call 577-7121.

Talking Business is a weekly column about business openings, closings or major changes. Contact reporter Erik Olson for any business news tips at  eolson@tdn.com or at 577-2510.

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Preschool Parent wrote on Feb 25, 2008 7:52 AM:

" Congrats Anne and Tony! You'll do a great job carrying on the tradition of excellence at KidsWorld. "

kelso gringo wrote on Feb 25, 2008 8:24 AM:

" Erik
Would it really hurt to look up the correct spelling of Maserati? Since it was used in a quote you make the person you quoted look ignorant instead of yourself. "

UW PSE wrote on Feb 25, 2008 9:12 AM:

" Congrats on the opening of the new store you three. We bought a yellow lab from the Berry's a few years ago, great people. Best of luck to you, I'll have to stop buy and check the place out when I'm back in town. "

Country Person wrote on Feb 25, 2008 9:51 AM:

" I always enoucourage new business and good things. I have issues with this kind of thing. I live in the country and I see Elk lamed by your sport. People come to the country shoot the Elk and then are too lazy to track them and year after year I see more and more dragging their hind end or front leg all year long and being prey for other creatures because of it. They suffer in pain!! Please, teach them not to do this. I think maybe this sport should be outlawed.
PS the reason I know that it is Bow Hunters is because of the arrows!! "

mrsh wrote on Feb 25, 2008 11:22 AM:

" Rod co-owns Advanced Electrical Technologies in Longview, not Advanced Electronics. Would it hurt to double check a thing or two in your article? AET does great work, by the way. Good luck in this new endeavor, guys! "

choices wrote on Feb 25, 2008 2:17 PM:

" All the archery shops, this is great! Bob's, XXX Archery, numeruos shops in Vancouver and Portland. It's nice to shop around and find truly skilled bowmen. "

Raminator wrote on Feb 25, 2008 3:50 PM:

" Good luck on that Maseratis thingie, foreign built in Bologna, over priced very under preforming. I will stick with the tried and true, Dodge, Cummins thank you! "

Beau Hunter wrote on Feb 25, 2008 4:26 PM:

" Wow, Country Person, You crack me up, talk about ignorant in thinking 'ALL BOW HUNTERS' do this. Before I waste my good typing fingers on commenting more to you, I hope these guys offer better service & prices then those 'X" brands I dont want to mention. Seems like the "X' brands are more into visiting with their buddies then offering good customer service.
"

Wife of bowhunter wrote on Feb 25, 2008 4:33 PM:

" Is it just me or do all Bow hunters have a goatee????
I had to share, made me laugh.... "

Argoman wrote on Feb 25, 2008 5:33 PM:

" I hope they give Bob's a run for the money. Keep your prices fair and you will do great. Maybe us archers will have the opportunity to run into country person out in the hills so we can show him/her back home to the trailer park "

Agree With Country wrote on Feb 25, 2008 6:49 PM:

" I think we should put horns on these guys and turn them loose in the woods. Oh Oh here come all the redneck insults!!!! "

deershudderatmyname wrote on Feb 25, 2008 7:25 PM:

" good luck guys. ill come check it out "

CWU hunter wrote on Feb 25, 2008 7:44 PM:

" Ok so I hunt rifle,I have no problem with bow hunting, I unlike some hunters get out of my truck hike behind gates into walk in areas and spend my day in the timber, so I can agree with Country Person I have found many dead animals with arrows in them or next to the pile of bones. Yes its sad but how many people sink lead into an animal and dont go farther than a hundred yards to find it? I take hunting very seriously an I am aware that bow hunting far exceeds rifle hunting with skill, price, and self motivation. therefor I dont agree that it should be outlawed. I do believe that there should be seperate hunter deucation courses for which style you wish to hunt. So to the owners of this store, take pride in your products and costumers, and i wish the best of luck. "

wendee wrote on Feb 26, 2008 8:10 AM:

" I agree with Country Person...bow hunting is awful. I realize not eveyone is out to hurt and maim animals but it sure seems to happen more with bow hunters. Then they go home and don't see the results of their bad aim. Either KIll the animal quickly and as painlessly as possible or don't hunt. "

Bear wrote on Feb 26, 2008 9:07 AM:

" We see alot more dead animals left in the woods, with led in them, than with . arrows. Muzzleloaders are the worst, because they don't have any knock down power. "

outdoorsman wrote on Feb 27, 2008 8:57 PM:

" I went to Three Rivers Archery and Outdoor today. I talked to mark and Billy. What a couple of great guys. Very friendly and helpful. I shot a couple of top end bows that I have been wanting to shoot for quite a while, but no one else in this area has ever had them. I hope everyone stops in to give them a chance. Great Shop! "

New to bow shooting wrote on Feb 28, 2008 8:46 AM:

" I went in to the new archery store,spoke to Billy he helped me pick out a bow that best suited me. My husband is a bow hunter and I want to get into it also. I got more information from Billy in ten minutes than half hour at the other store in the area. When I asked about classes Billy said at this time there are none, but that he would take the time personally to teach me what I needed to know to get started. So for all you people that want to support the small guy go to this store..... CUSTOMER SERVICE is #1 and they know what they are talking about. Thank you guys for opening a great store that is inviting to us new archery shooters. GOOD LUCK!!!!!! "

New Archer wrote on Mar 9, 2008 9:14 PM:

" I just purchased a new bow from these guys. They have been extremely helpful each time I have come into the store. I have already learned a ton....what a great group of guys! "

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