Large groups of tourists gather daily under a chandelier of antlers in front of a large fireplace in the lobby of Post Falls-based manufacturing company Buck Knives Inc., where taxidermy-preserved animals watch over an empty showroom under construction.

Tours of the manufacturing facility have continued to grow, and now the company's retail space is growing too, despite reduced demand nationwide for brick-and-mortar retail that was accelerated due to online shopping during the pandemic, says Chris Bourassa, director of marketing at Buck Knives.

Buck Knives has experienced year-over-year growth prompted by the explosive popularity of outdoor recreation in recent years.

"We're definitely a destination for travelers, hunters, and outdoorsmen in the area, and the demand for knives since COVID just continues to climb and climb," says Bourassa.

The company declines to disclose its annual revenue, but year-over-year growth at Buck Knives averages between 10% and 15%, says Nicole Monosky, marketing and sales coordinator at Buck Knives.

"As Buck Knives has continued to grow, we've added more shifts, more people, and more equipment," Bourassa says, adding that hiring has been a priority for the company to keep up with growth. 

Over 220 new hires have joined the manufacturing company in the past 12 months. Buck Knives has a total workforce of about 350 people, she says.

This year, the company is expanding its products, tour schedule, and its storefront in its 130,000-square-foot facility, located in the Riverbend Commerce Park at 660 S. Lochsa, in Post Falls.

Buck Knives is a family-owned manufacturer that moved to North Idaho from Southern California in 2004 and has been here for 20 years. 

"It's kind of time for a remodel here in Post Falls," Bourassa says. 

Remodel work began in January for the storefront and is expected to wrap up before a scheduled grand opening celebration on May 11, says Monosky.

Several offices were removed from the northwest corner of the facility to make room for the first-floor retail expansion. The store has been temporarily moved to a second-floor museum area and remains open during construction, she says.

The facility's retail space will more than double in size from about 700 square feet to 1,600 square feet.

"The bigger footprint means we can carry more (products) for customers," says Monosky.

In addition to extra merchandise, such as Yeti-branded cups and other apparel and outdoor accessories, the remodeled retail space will feature a custom knife shop. A knife sharpening center also is planned for the space in partnership with Ashland, Oregon-based Darex LLC, which does business as Work Sharp. 

A backlit display wall will feature the company's long history since operations began in California in 1902. A selfie wall will be installed for customers to take after-tour photos in the retail space.

The tenant improvement project is valued at $398,000, permit information on file with the city of Post Falls shows. 

Spokane-based Mauer Construction Inc. is the contractor, and Uptic Studios Inc., also of Spokane, designed the retail expansion project.

Strong demand for Buck Knives also is supported by a steady flow of new outdoor hobbyists and the company's focused effort to increase brand awareness through community engagement, says Bourassa.

Outreach includes company partnerships with youth organizations, such as the Boy Scouts of America, with some troops helping the company sustainably collect elk antlers used in the production of certain knife models. 

Company representatives also returned to the Big Horn Outdoor Adventure Show this year at the Spokane County Fairgrounds, after several years of absence.

Buck Knives also is preparing to release about 20 new products this year, including a new chef's knife as part of its kitchen cutlery line.

Upward of 5,000 units are produced daily at the facility, which operates seven days a week except for holidays, he says. The company has over 3,000 dealers nationwide and in 30 countries, he asserts.

"Buck is the most well-known cutlery brand in America and is distributed pretty much anywhere you can buy a knife," Bourassa contends.

As planned, the remodel is designed to give customers more access to the company through an expanded factory tour schedule and expanded operating hours, they say.

Two daily factory tours accommodate an average of 15 people at once, and reservations are often needed, Monosky says. Current retail operating hours are 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

When the storefront opens in May, the company will offer three daily tours, and the retail store will operate 8 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays.