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Last updated on Saturday, April 7, 2012
(GREENE- SULLIVAN STATE FOREST) - Owner of the new bait and tackle shop The Old School Trading Post, Chris Corbin, and his son, Cody, stand next to the 24-hour bait and tackle vending machine.
Sabrina Westfall, of the Greene County Daily World reports the shop has hunting, fishing and camping gear, as well as snacks and drinks. The vending machine holds live bait and snack items for when the shop is closed.
As a kickoff for a new Greene-Sullivan State Forest based bait and tackle shop, The Old School Trading Post will have Happy Matt's Barbecue set up in the parking lot Saturday.
Chris Corbin opened his new store about two weeks ago at the intersection of County Road 50N and 1500W in the old White Rose School, which is where he got the name for his business.
"I've always thought I'd like to have a bait and tackle shop, the general store part just kind of grew," Corbin explained.
The Old School Trading Post has hunting, fishing and camping supplies, as well as snacks, candy and drinks. He will also be selling ice, soda and will do propane exchanges during opening hours.
Corbin works at Greene County General Hospital during the day, so the Trading Post will be open in the evenings and on weekends.
He's especially happy with the location of his business because it sits on the County Road 50N turn to Wampler Lake.
"People that are coming from Linton to go to Greene-Sullivan (State Forest) have to drive right by here," Corbin added. "A lot of the people who have come in so far have been from Linton, but we have had some people from the Dugger area too."
Despite only being open for two weeks and doing little advertising so far, Corbin said business has been good. Especially on the weekends.
Corbin said his business plan is to stay open year round for fishing and hunting seasons.
"We plan on adding on a little more each week," Corbin noted. "We wanted to start small at first to see how business would do. Just because you come in this week and we don't have what you're looking for doesn't mean we won't have it next week."
In addition to his customers, Corbin said he has had visitors who used to attend White Rose School.
"This is the actual old White Rose School. I have had some people come in and look around. I've really enjoyed that part of it," Corbin said.
The Old School Trading Post also has something else to set it apart from most bait and tackle shops: A 24-hour live bait and tackle vending machine.
The vending machine contains snacks, live bait and tackle. Corbin said with the shop being closed during the day, and others working various hours, this was the best way to ensure everyone could get the bait and tackle supplies they need.
Corbin added he has been grateful for the help from the owner's of Spurling Bass and Bucks because they have helped guide him in opening his new business.
"They have given us a lot of great advice. They have been really good to us. We sort of compete, but we work different hours. They have a bigger selection of tackle, but we have the general store stuff," Corbin said.
Happy Matt's Barbecue will be in the parking lot of The Old School Trading Post around 10:30 a.m.
The shop's hours will vary, but Corbin hopes to have it open in the evening until dark and be open most of the day on the weekends.
There are also brochures and maps of Greene-Sullivan Forest available in the shop, and Corbin said since he grew up in the area he is very familiar with the forest.
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