Connelly sells Tri-State Distributors

COEUR d'ALENE - Gerard Connelly is letting go of something he loves very much.

He'll tell you up front, it's very, very tough.

"It's been my life. It's why I get out of bed at 5 o'clock in the morning every day for the last 33 years," he said Wednesday.

The president and majority owner of Tri-State Distributors Inc, announced Wednesday the transfer of ownership of all four Tri-State stores in Coeur d'Alene, Moscow, Lewiston and Moses Lake, Wash., to Crown Enterprises Inc., Sportsman & Ski Haus. The employee-owned sporting goods store was founded in 1968 and has locations in Kalispell and Whitefish, Mont.

The change is effective Oct. 1.

Connelly, who lives in Moscow, emphasized that all the stores, which employ about 100, will continue business as usual under the new ownership.

"What Gerard and the Tri-State folks have been doing has obviously been very successful so it wouldn't make sense for us to go in there and start changing things," according to a statement released by Sportsman & Ski Haus CEO Mike Gwiazdon and company President David Harvey.

Under the terms of the sale, the Connelly family retains ownership of the store buildings and real estate.

"Because the business is very strong several parties were potential buyers. My sister, Mary Connelly, who is our chief financial officer, and I selected a buyer whose corporate culture and values closely mirror our own," Connelly said in a press release. "Mike Gwiazdon and Dave Harvey understand the importance of Tri-State to the community and they have assured us that they will maintain Tri-State's leadership of support of local charities. Furthermore Sportsman & Ski Haus has a generous benefits package for its employees so we are confident that our employees will be treated with fairness and respect."

Connelly said that he has mixed emotions about the sale of the company business that was founded by his father, Lee, 64 years ago.

But he said after 33 years of running the company the time has come to lay the groundwork for his exit.

"By far my primary responsibility, for the sake of my family, our employees and the community, is to secure the future of Tri-State beyond my own career and that is what we are accomplishing with this transfer in ownership to a great company," he said.

Connelly said he began considering selling his Tri-State stores while putting together his will.

"You start thinking, 'What's going to happen when you die?" he said.

He noted he'll be 60 soon, and wants to ensure that the business will continue to thrive for generations to come.

He said he'll remain busy as ever, with two daughters, the youngest starting eighth grade in Moscow.

"I won't be an empty-nester for five years," Connelly said, laughing.

He'll also continue to be active in charitable organizations, adding there's no shortage of people who could use some help.

"There is a great need in every community in the United States," he said.

An avid runner, biker and outdoorsman, Connelly said he's feeling strong and fit, and went on a 17-mile trail run at Heyburn State Park on Saturday.

"My health is as good as ever," he said.

He said he'll miss the business and the people he has worked with over the years.

"I thank God every single day for the opportunity I've been given," Connelly said.