Edwin Berns, better known as Wynn, just opened his first outdoor recreation
shop in Welches, Goodwynn’s, but his sights are much, much higher. His goal
is to rival outdoor recreation chain REI with 300 of his own locations, each
with 3,000 square feet, in places such as Bend and Aspen, Colo.

“If it will work here, it’ll work in those other locations,” he said. “Got to shoot
high.”

Wynn, who was born in Waitsfield, Vt. and had a grandfather who ran a store,
described his new business endeavor as a “one stop Mountain shop,” similar
to a Vermont country store that also has a ski, snowboard and bike shop.
Goodwynn’s will offer a variety of outdoor gear, clothing and services, but
customers can also hang out and enjoy a meal, beer and non-alcoholic
beverages, or just grab something ready made on their way up or down the
Mountain.

“Every weekend’s been growing,” Wynn said, noting that it’s been a draw for
people who want to go to a bar but not drink alcohol. “Everybody is saying it’s
what we needed on the Mountain, which is a cool thing.”

Wynn, who was a ski athlete, coached skiing and spent 10 years working
locally at Windells, noted he looked at a lot of different places before he found
his current location, where The Fly Fishing Shop once served countless people
seeking Mountain recreation.

He noted that the area has changed a lot in recent years, but with more
vacation rental properties and the number of skiers (both recreationally and
those who seek a career in the sport) that pass through, there is a need for a
business like his.

“Every pro, every kid that’s a serious skier has to come through here at some
point,” Wynn said.

Wynn’s focus is on local and hard to find items, with local vendors including
Treefort and Govy 500, with gear that stresses performance and quality, while
also maintaining a presence with fly fishing and serving the biking community.
His efforts are expected to be boosted this month with the addition of a couple
of food trucks behind his building, while he noted his plans include six total
trucks on site year-round with indoor and outdoor dining.

Wynn’s vision for the future could also include movie premieres, morning yoga
and workspaces that offer internet and printer access for people who need to
stay connected while on the Mountain. His goal is also to be open from 6 a.m.

to 10 p.m., seven days a week, in order to serve the first people up the
Mountain and the last ones who come down.

“That’s what we’re really striving to do; always here if something breaks or if
they need a meal,” Wynn said.

Goodwynn’s is located at 67296 Hwy. 26 in Welches. For more information,
visit https://www.goodwynns.com/ or email info@goodwynns.com.