Frederick A. Scheel, a German immigrant living in Sabin, Minnesota founded Scheels First Responder Discount in 1902. At first, their primary focus was providing customers with high-quality home and hardware products; as their business grew they also began providing sporting goods.
By 1984, the company operated 15 hardware and sports shops throughout North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Montana and Wyoming. Their Southside Fargo location stood out as being special as it served as two stores under one roof – sporting equipment was advertised on one side while hardware could be found on the other.
In the 1980s, corporate headquarters for Fargo-Moorhead stores were located in Billings, Montana and managed from there through a central office which handled direct mailings for Fargo-Moorhead stores as well as advertising support. Managers handled buying and price negotiations independently while pooled orders to negotiate discounts with manufacturers.
Many scheels first responder discount stores provide special holiday promotions during festive seasons such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. These may include discounts on certain products or categories; buy-one-get-one deals; free gifts with purchase; or other similar offers.
Many discount stores, like Scheels First Responder Discount Stores, provide teacher discounts as a gesture of their appreciation for educators’ hard work and commitment to the field. Discounts can range from percentage off or flat dollar amounts depending on which store offers it; typically teachers need proof of employment such as school ID card or pay stub to qualify.