In 1987 Smoky Mountain Trader of Cleveland, GA, opened it’s doors to the public. The hope of this new store was to offer a local flavor of the town in the pawn and consignment business. However, between 1987 and 1999 the shop changed hands frequently and thereby lost its true calling. Truth be told, the shop didn’t know what it was until in 1999 “Captain” Carl Dann and his wife purchased Smoky Mountain Trader with a vision of the great outdoors and the Gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

When Captain Dann purchased Smoky Mountain Trader it was primarily a gun shop with an an assortment of outdoor equipment. An avid outdoorsman with four children, Captain Dann understood the vital importance a greater focus on outdoor equipment–hiking and camping gear and related products–would mean to the community. And so, the transition of Smoky Mountain Trader from gun shop to frontier shop was launched!

Since the age of three, Captain Dann camped and hiked the Florida Everglades with his family. Animal Planet’s, I Shouldn’t Be Alive, seemed to be his life every day growing up! Today, Capt. Dann takes advantage of as many classes by Medicine Bow’s Mark Warren as he can, and shares them with his customers, and as the Founder of the N. GA Community Emergency Response Network. Dann uses his vital experience along with in-depth research every time he chooses a product for the store both offline and online.

While formerly only a gun shop, Smoky Mountain Trader still sells shooting accessories, but now focuses on all facets of the outdoor enthusiast by selling high quality Camping Equipment, Hiking Gear, Clothing and Footwear for serious outings on the Appalachian Trail or anywhere an outdoorsman/woman’s heart may go. Practically every product is tested by the staff or by Captain Dann himself to ensure the quality and functionality of the product.

Today Smoky Mountain Trader touches all the needs of a true outdoorsman/woman and is your ‘must visit’ destination in Cleveland, GA.  Every week the store changes shape with new products, local consignments, and clothing you can use both on the trail and off in your daily life.

If you’re in the Cleveland, GA area, stop in and see us! Browse our vast selection or just come to hang out and listen to the banjo music!