Nature fans gear up

Oconee Outfitters empowers eco-sensitive enthusiasts with equipment and experience

A small corner shop at the intersection of South Jefferson and East Hancock streets is more than just an outdoors store. It is Oconee Outfitters, a store dedicated to providing excellent service for all biking, kayaking and other various outdoor needs while also being the hub for an active outdoor community. It’s common to see some locals just hanging out in the shop.

“Oconee Outfitters kind of turned into a meeting point for a lot of the bikers around town. That’s just how it turned out,” said Adam Heagy, manager of Oconee Outfitters.

The shop carries a large variety of outdoor equipment. Racks of flying discs adorn the wall, a rack of sunglasses holders stands by the entrance, and a wall of outdoor accessories sits next to the flying discs. Oconee Outfitters has all the gear for someone to be fully suited for kayaking. A majority of the store’s kayaks are meant for flat water, but the store carries various paddles, personal flotation devices and other kayaking necessities. Not only do they have full bicycles, but Oconee also carries a wide array of replacement parts and upgrades for anyone’s current bicycles. To go along with their biking stock, a full service bike repair shop is offered.

If you visit Oconee Outfitters it is more than likely for you to see Heagy with grease-blackened hands working on a slew of bikes behind the counter. Heagy is a self-taught bicycle mechanic whose love for repair comes from his father’s influence as a handyman

“My dad would fix stuff around the house, and he taught me if you have something, you know how to fix it,” Heagy said.

Originally from Indiana, he spent his time pedaling around the area surrounding his house with friends.

“My parents gave me a lot of free reign when I was a kid. I could go anywhere in this certain area,” he said.

Growing up, he spent large amounts of time outdoors biking, hiking, camping or paddling.

“I seriously can’t remember a time when I was not into paddling. My dad put me in the kayak with him before I was one, and I have always done it since,” Heagy said.

He found his way to Milledgeville when his girlfriend, Liz Havey, got a job at GCSU as a study abroad advisor. Heagy began working at Oconee Outfitters just as the previous manager was going out. He has the knowledge base and time to assume the role.

“It was July 2008, and I came in when the previous manager left,” Heagy said.

He now is the full time manager and does most of the repairs that come into the shop, as well as the day-to-day administrative duties.

Posted by MarkWatkins on Oct 22 2010. Filed under Close Up, Special Sections. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.