Green Top Sporting Goods

For 77 years, Green Top Sporting Goods has been a trusted destination for outdoor enthusiasts across the Mid-Atlantic. What began as a small gas station on Route 1 near Richmond in 1947 has grown into a 67,000-square-foot retail landmark offering everything from fishing rods and outdoor apparel to firearms and cooking equipment.  

But as President and CEO Blaine Altaffer emphasizes, Green Top is more than a store. It is a place built on experience, knowledge, and community. “We’re one of the few independent retailers our age that is still thriving,” he says.  

“Most have changed hands, closed, or been pushed out by big box chains. We’ve survived and grown because of our core approach: we pair quality gear with true expertise and care.” 

That expertise is more than a slogan. “If you tally up the years of Green Top experience across our staff, it adds up to about 1,250 years,” Blaine says. “Our people don’t just sell the products—they use them. They’ve got feathers on their fingers and scales on their hands.” 

Green Top Sporting Goods first opened in 1947 and has expanded over the years to a 67,000 square-foot facility offering offer a wide variety of sporting equipment and apparel. 

Blaine Altaffer

This means customers aren’t simply shopping. They’re learning, trying, and getting guidance tailored to their needs.  

This approach is what Blaine calls experience-based retailing. Whether someone is buying their first fishing rod or learning to handle their first firearm, staff members take time to ensure products fit the individual and support memorable, safe outdoor experiences. 

That commitment extends beyond the showroom. In 2019, Green Top expanded its services by taking over a nearby shooting range. “It gives customers a safe place to learn with certified instructors,” Blaine says. “You can even try a firearm before buying it. We want customers to feel confident and safe.” 

The company’s annual outdoor expo, held each fall, brings together well-known outdoor brands, demonstrations, seminars, and hands-on learning. “It’s where everything we believe in comes together,” Blaine says. “The gear, the knowledge, the people, the community.” 

Community involvement has always been central to Green Top’s identity. The company supports Ducks Unlimited, Hunters for the Hungry, youth sports, scouting organizations, and works closely with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. The store also has a good relationship with Hanover County. “Being a local business means being part of the community,” Blaine says.  

That shared community focus is also what inspired Green Top’s partnership with TowneBank. 

“We made the change because TowneBank approaches business the way we do. It’s about partnership. It’s not just about the numbers. It’s ‘What does your business need, and how can we help?’” 

Blaine Altaffer, CEO, praises his staff for how much they care for customers as they share their expertise. 

Green Top holds an Outdoor Expo every year in the fall. This popular event includes live music, more than 200 vendors, demonstrations and hands-on training.  

Blaine describes the relationship with TowneBank and senior vice president and commercial banker Duncan Owen as steady, thoughtful, and collaborative. “They haven’t lost their local character as they’ve grown. TowneBank is the Green Top of banking in this region.” 

Looking ahead, Green Top is continuing to grow its online business, expand educational programs at the shooting range, and keep refreshing the store experience. But one thing will never change. “Our associates are the heartbeat of this place,” Blaine says. “They care. And that care is why customers come back.” 

For more information, visit GreenTop.com.