Our History

Norton Sporting Goods

Our History: From Back in the Day to Today

Norton Sporting Goods began its journey in 1968 when Howard and Susan Dean purchased a small hunting and fishing store just west of the Delaware Wildlife Area. They immediately set to work remodeling the interior to create an inviting retail space.

In the early 1970s, the store saw its first major addition with the demolition of the old “Bait Shed” and the creation of a new tackle and live bait area. It was also during this time that the roofline was changed to the barn style that the store is known for today. Norton Sporting Goods has always been a family business, with all three Dean children helping out during the '70s, '80s, and '90s. In 2001, Howard and Susan's youngest son, James, took over the management of business operations. The store expanded again in 2009, adding more display space for archery, tackle, and firearms.

Today, James can be found at the store almost every day, alongside Zack Stutler, our do-it-all guru and longtime employee with over 20 years of experience. Although Howard has scaled back his involvement, he still often shares his over 54 years of experience with employees and customers. The heart of Norton Sporting Goods is our loyal customers, many of whom have been with us for decades. We are proud to serve multiple generations of families as both customers and employees. Our goal is to provide the products you need at affordable prices, all within a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

To all our customers and friends, we say, “Thank you!” If you haven’t had the chance to visit us yet, we hope to see you soon!