That got his mind going that the county needed a quality business for those who love the outdoors like himself to go shopping.

On Monday, area dignitaries and residents gathered in Cassadaga to celebrate the opening of Valley Outdoors, LLC, a new 8,200 square foot hunting and fishing sports store located at 16 S. Main St., by the light in the village.

Inside the store are various hunting rifles and shotguns, crossbows, clothing and boots, hunting blinds, ice fishing huts, fishing lures, arrows, ammo and more. He’s even got a power assist bicycle that uses solar power.

Although they have plenty to start, Diate said they’ve got a lot more supplies ordered. “We’ve got 17 trucks coming,” he said.

OBSERVER Photos by Gregory Bacon Area officials celebrate the opening of Valley Outdoors in downtown Cassadaga. Pictured from left: Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Heitzenrater, chamber representative Rebecca Voty, County Executive PJ Wendel, state Sen. George Borrello, Stockton Town Supervisor Dave Wilson, Valley Outdoors owner Adam Diate, Cassadaga Property Alliance board member Susan Asquith, Sheriff Jim Quattrone, Legislator John Penhollow, and Assemblyman Andy Goodell.

He’s also in the process of getting a sign installed. It’s being made by P-TECH students in Dunkirk. One of the students is Diate’s nephew.

At Monday’s ribbon cutting, local, county and state officials applauded the new business venture.

“Congratulations Adam Diate and Valley Outdoors,” said Assemblyman Andy Goodell. “The products and service are a welcome addition to Cassadaga and Chautauqua County and all the outdoor sports people. Your initiative and vision are sure to bring success to this venture. Thank you for investing in Cassadaga.”

State Sen. George Borrello agreed. “I’m a small business owner myself and I know what it takes. It takes risk,” he said.

Both Borrello and Goodell provides certificates of recognition from their respective chambers in Albany.

Pictured are some of the items for sale at Valley Outdoors, located in downtown Cassadaga. The owner says he has 17 more trucks of supplies coming.

County Executive PJ Wendel also praised Diate for the new business. “”Chautauqua County is an outdoorsman’s paradise, and this new store will provide sportsmen and women in the region with a new specialty store to buy any hunting or fishing gear they may need. This will help grow Chautauqua County’s eco-tourism economy, and we wish them nothing but success,” he said.

Featured brands offered in the store include Browning, Antler Ice, Ten Point, Ravin, Henry, PSE, Gold Tip, Muck, EXTREME Bikes and more. Funding for this project was primarily private, enhanced with funding provided by a Chautauqua Opportunities for Development Inc. grant. David Birckholder of the Amish Community was the general contractor. Technical Graphics of North East, PA was the design engineer.

Diate first announced the business in December 2021 at a special hearing of the Cassadaga Village Board. He started construction on March 16 and just recently opened the doors to the public. “Having only been open a short time, my expectations have been beyond what I could have imagined. I only see rapid growth going forward, incredibly excited about the potential to expand the store’s offerings and inventory and being a permanent part of the community,” he said.

Diate is no stranger to Cassadaga. He owns and operates Hanson Road Auto Sales which sits a few doors away.

Valley Outdoors has two full-time and one part-time staff and will have 6-10 employees once they’re fully stocked.

The business is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.