HELENA — For many Helena residents, Capital Sports has long been more than a sporting goods store.
After 41 years leading the locally owned outdoor retailer, owner Ed Beall is retiring and handing the business over to a new generation of leadership. Beall officially turned over the keys in July but plans to remain involved during the transition, stopping by the store a few days each week.
Watch our full story here:
Beall's connection to Capital Sports dates back to 1985, when founder Art Keeler hired the then-26-year-old as general manager and offered him a handshake agreement to buy into the company. Beall and his wife, Sally, became shareholders in 1986. Over the following decades, Beall helped guide the business through economic downturns, droughts, wildfires, increased competition, the rise of online shopping and the COVID-19 pandemic.
What began as a store selling everything from ping pong tables to snowmobile gear evolved into one of Montana's most recognizable independent outdoor retailers, specializing in hunting, fishing, camping and other outdoor recreation products.
"It feels great," Beall said of his retirement. "You know I'm gonna miss two things a lot, and that's my employees, our team and our customers."
Throughout his tenure, Beall said the business was never just about selling merchandise. He emphasized community involvement and supporting conservation efforts across the region.
"It's really been good for us to be able to give back in that way," Beall said. "It's been very rewarding to do."
Over the years, Capital Sports has supported dozens of local organizations, including youth sports leagues, schools, veterans groups, conservation organizations, volunteer fire departments and community service programs. Conservation partners have included groups such as the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Trout Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever and the Prickly Pear Land Trust.
"You live in a community. It's only natural that as you have success, you give back to that community," Beall said. "You support the things you see need support."
The store's reputation also grew beyond Montana's borders.
"When people travel from some other part of the country, they will come in and make a point to tell us that they heard about our store through outdoor writers who write about us," Beall said. "They'll come in and check out the store, and they're always like, 'We don't have anything like this where we live.'"
Longtime customer Ted Goodwin has been shopping at Capital Sports since 1986, just a year after Beall arrived.
When he learned of Beall's retirement, Goodwin's reaction was immediate.
"Sad. Ed's an institution," Goodwin said.
Goodwin credits Beall and his staff with creating a welcoming atmosphere that kept customers coming back.
"Always engaging. People walk in here, and it's not just me, it's like walking onto Cheers, everybody knows everybody," Goodwin said.
He added that the store's knowledgeable staff set it apart.
"The people he hires here always know what they are talking about and I get good advice, even if it involves being sent to a competitor," Goodwin said.
For Beall, customer service has always been the foundation of the business.
"Take care of the little things, really watch the little things, and primarily, take care of the customer," he said. "The customer that's in front of you, whatever they need, you take care of them as best you can."
The company's next chapter will be led by Jared Weaver, who joined Capital Sports as general manager in March 2025 and recently became president. Weaver brings about 20 years of sports retail experience and wants to expand product offerings while maintaining the values that helped build the business.
"It's exciting to see what's in front of us for the future," Weaver said. "There's a lot here that we can expand upon, with just bringing in new technology, new brands and just giving the community more to have available to them."
Weaver said one of the biggest lessons he learned from Beall was the importance of community involvement.
"Seeing him outside of the store and in the community, understanding what his personal connection is there, not just as a business owner, but a personal connection with those people in the community and the conservation and giving back to the community and what that means," Weaver said.
Beall said he is confident the new leadership team has the energy and vision to move the company forward while preserving its local roots.
In retirement, he plans to spend more time hunting, traveling Montana and beyond with his wife and making memories with his grandchildren. He also intends to remain active in Helena and conservation efforts.
And while Beall may be stepping away from day-to-day operations, customers can still expect to see at least one familiar face around the store.
Theo, Beall's golden retriever, is keeping his job under what Capital Sports jokingly calls a "shop dog contract."
"The gift that it's been to me and my family is all the people you meet in this great place, Helena," Beall said.
