Our Story
“A customer is not an interruption of our work, but the purpose of it. We are not doing them a favor by serving them, customers are doing us a favor by giving us the opportunity to do so.”- Jim Quinlan, Owner JAX Mercantile Co.
Since 1955 JAX Mercantile has been providing customers with top quality functional gear for every occasion. We are committed to providing you the very best equipment and knowledge of our vast selection of products. We are passionate about adventure, the outdoors, conservation and an active lifestyle and we share this with our customers every day.
Our friendly associates will help you find the camping equipment, hiking gear, footwear, clothing, fishing tackle, hunting equipment, hardware, military surplus and any other necessities for your outdoor activities from brands you know and trust. JAX strives to deliver exemplary service to each and every customer.
Over 67 Years Grown-Up & Still Having Fun
Marvin and Lola Quinlan return to their home state of Iowa to purchase property in Section 6 of Washington Township and open Ames Surplus. Their initial products included mainly items purchased from government surplus sales.
In 1965 the City of Ames exercised their right of Eminent Domain to put a frontage road in front of the store. Marvin and Lola used the proceeds to expand their store to a 24 x 60 foot building, almost doubling the size of their store to 1,440 square feet.
Son of owners Marvin and Lola, 18-year-old Jim Quinlan became manager of Ames Surplus while attending Iowa State University. Between setting sales records and making plans for new building expansions, Jim decided business was more fun than college and dedicated himself to the family store, full-time.
At 21 years of age, Jim moved west to Fort Collins, CO and opened “Rocky Mountain Surplus” on the corner of College Avenue and Jefferson Street on August 1, 1983.Rocky Mountain Surplus was the birthplace of the original JAX mascot, G.I. Jane. When she was stolen, the story made national news when Paul Harvey reported it on his radio program, “The Rest of the Story.”
Son of owners Marvin and Lola, 18-year-old Jim Quinlan became manager of Ames Surplus while attending Iowa State University. Between setting sales records and making plans for new building expansions, Jim decided business was more fun than college and dedicated himself to the family store, full-time.
Following the success of Rocky Mountain Surplus in Fort Collins Jim opened a second surplus store on 8th avenue in Greeley Co.
After 33 years in business the Dreher Family of local pickle fame closed down JAX Surplus and sold out everything to the bare walls, windows were boarded up and it sat as an empty building for six months. Jim recognized that it was difficult to be in two places at once. Seeing an opportunity Jim sold the Surplus Store in Greeley and negotiated to move Rocky Mountain Surplus to the old JAX Surplus location and keep the oldname. This was the beginning of a new direction and that led to upgraded quality products and both building and category additions that continue to the present day in this location.
In 1998, Marvin and Lola Quinlan retired. Jim then purchased Ames Surplus from his parents and changed the store name to Ames Outdoor Gear.
On April 1st 2002, the former Country General store on North 287 opened as the first “JAX Ranch & Home” location. With this store, JAX was able to expand its product line to include an expanded line of hardware and paint, power equipment, ranching and equine supplies, western wear and lawn and garden items.
On April 1st 2002, the former Country General store on North 287 opened as the first “JAX Ranch & Home” location. With this store, JAX was able to expand its product line to include an expanded line of hardware and paint, power equipment, ranching and equine supplies, western wear and lawn and garden items.
In 2008, Jim purchased a building partially in use by Gold’s Gym. He renovated the vacant portion of the building, installing used fixtures purchased from other retailers including grocery stores and department stores that had gone out of business. JAX Outdoor Gear, Ranch & Home in Loveland became the first JAX store to house all JAX product categories.
In January 2009, Home Office employees were moved into the renovated cement plant. The new site includes offices, warehouse and distribution, and a carpentry and metal shop. Accounting, Purchasing, Marketing, Human Resources, Facilities, IT, and our Internet Store are all together on one campus.
In the Spring of 2010, JAX opened a fifth store in Lafayette, CO. This store was located in an almost new, but vacant building that had been constructed as a model Ace Hardware. This JAX became the second store to blend both product categories under one roof, and the first with a full bicycle department and shop.
In 2013 the Lafayette store was split in two, with the original store becoming JAX Outdoor Gear Lafayette, and an empty storefront across the street being converted into JAX Ranch & Home of Lafayette.
2016 proved to be a momentous year for JAX Mercantile as the company opened JAX Outdoor Gear, Ranch & Home in Broomfield. This 7th JAX storefront is the company’s largest, including over 90,0000 square feet of retail space. It is also the first JAX store in the Denver market.
For years the Colorado Front Range stores have been a destination for Wyoming residents. In fall 2019, JAX opened JAX Outdoor Gear, Ranch & Home in the Cheyenne Frontier Mall. With their 8th store, JAX is excited to offer their loyal Wyoming customers a convenient location for all their outdoor and farm needs.
In September 2020, JAX opened their 9th store and the second store location in Loveland, CO in the former K-Mart. "We wanted to expand our presence in Loveland with a larger store so we could offer more products and also have a location more readily accessible to westbound travelers heading to Rocky Mountain National Park." Jim Quinlan, Owner
Effective January 1, 2022, JAX became an employee-owned company via an employee stock ownership plan.
With over 500 employees, JAX has long relied on knowledgeable and passionate employees to develop the product mix and provide great customer service. When asked why he thinks an ESOP is an important move for JAX, Company President Jim Quinlan said: “I hope to reward our dedicated and talented staff members who have committed years of their lives working to build the success of JAX.”
Quinlan states: “Our company sees all our employees as integral to the success and future of JAX. We believe employee insights and input as ESOP shareholders will help keep our company at the forefront of the changing retail business world and ensure they are full participants in our company’s future.”
Quinlan states: “Our company sees all our employees as integral to the success and future of JAX. We believe employee insights and input as ESOP shareholders will help keep our company at the forefront of the changing retail business world and ensure they are full participants in our company’s future.”