Coeur d'Alene, Idaho · Since 1975
Locally owned. Family run. 50 years in Coeur d'Alene.
Black Sheep Sporting Goods started in 1975 as a small shop on Fourth Street with $2,000 and a lot of hard work. Today the Knoll family's showrooms fill the vast majority of Silver Lake Mall, a 330,000-square-foot shopping center, with hunting, fishing, camping, clothing and footwear.
Plan your visitCall 208-667-7831
Our Story
Built one bet at a time
Dave Knoll learned the business as a teenager, stocking shelves for his uncle at the White Elephant Surplus Stores in Spokane. In the fall of 1975 Dave and Barb Knoll opened Black Sheep together at 2424 N. Fourth St., just south of Appleway. The early years were lean: in Dave's words, "The roof leaked and we couldn't afford to fix it."
The plan never changed: lowest prices, best selection, great customer service. Every move since has been a bet on that plan, and the family has put its earnings back into the store. Dave and Barb Knoll, co-founders, still own Black Sheep together; their son Brian, who started working summers at the store at 13 or 14, now runs operations.
"Black Sheep is that unique animal where you can support local and save money."Brian Knoll · Source: Coeur d'Alene Press, "Knolls celebrating 50th anniversary of Black Sheep Sporting Goods," Aug 6, 2025
How we got our name
When Dave turned 18, he made the decision to leave his uncle's White Elephant store and set out on his own, becoming the Black Sheep of the family. Fifty years later, that name is still on the store.
50 years in Coeur d'Alene
- 1975
Opening day on Fourth Street
Our very first ad: the Black Sheep grand opening, Saturday, October 11, 1975. In the fall, Dave and Barb Knoll start Black Sheep with $2,000, opening a 2,000 sq ft store at 2424 N. Fourth St., just south of Appleway.
Source: CDA Press, "Black Sheep gets big new location," Jun 28, 2013 · CDA Press, Aug 6, 2025 · Dates per the Knoll family - 1983
2424 N. Fourth St.
Black Sheep is still at 2424 N. Fourth St., its home until the 1993 move to 308 W. Seale Ave. The glass door with the worn "2424" is still kept today.
Dave and Brian Knoll with the original 2424 N. Fourth St. door. - 1993
308 W. Seale Ave.
Twenty years (1993–2013) just off U.S. 95, in 20,000 square feet.
Our store at 308 W. Seale Ave. Source: CDA Press, Jun 28, 2013 - 2007
Standing up to the big boxes
As national chains arrive in North Idaho, Dave says: "You'd better put your money on us, because we have the lowest prices."
- 2013
3534 N. Government Way
Black Sheep moves into a 50,000 sq ft store next to Costco, the former home of national competitor Sportsman's Warehouse, which had opened in Coeur d'Alene and closed shortly after. Home until the move to Silver Lake Mall.
Our store at 3534 N. Government Way. Source: CDA Press, Jun 28, 2013 - Nov. 2020
Our first showrooms in Silver Lake Mall
Our first two showrooms, Black Sheep Knives and Black Sheep Drinkware, open inside the mall, and the Knoll family buys Silver Lake Mall.
Our Black Sheep Knives showroom. 
Our Black Sheep Drinkware showroom: YETI, Stanley and Hydro Flask. - Apr. 2021
Life is Good showroom opens
Opening our Life is Good showroom at the Silver Lake Mall. New Life is Good showroom opens at Silver Lake Mall.
- Feb. 2022
Carhartt showroom opens
Opening our Carhartt showroom at the Silver Lake Mall. New Carhartt showroom opens at Silver Lake Mall.
- 2022
Moving into Silver Lake Mall
After opening in the former JC Penney space in late 2021, Black Sheep celebrates its grand opening in Silver Lake Mall, June 10-12. In October, U.S. Sen. Jim Risch names Black Sheep Idaho Small Business of the Month.
Our new sign going up at the Silver Lake Mall. 
Grand opening ribbon cutting at Silver Lake Mall. - Mar. 2023
5.11 showroom opens
Our 5.11 Tactical wall at the Silver Lake Mall. New 5.11 showroom opens at Silver Lake Mall.
- Sept. 2023
Western expansion
Opening our Ariat by Black Sheep showroom at the Silver Lake Mall. New Ariat showroom opens at Silver Lake Mall.
- Nov. 2023
Wrangler showroom opens
Opening our Wrangler showroom at the Silver Lake Mall. New Wrangler showroom opens at Silver Lake Mall.
- 2025
Footwear expansion and 50 years
Our Footwear & Clothing showroom at the Silver Lake Mall. The Footwear & Clothing expansion opens in the former Macy's in May. In August, Black Sheep celebrates its 50th anniversary.
- 2025
Best of the Inland Northwest
Readers of the Inlander vote Black Sheep Sporting Goods Best Outdoor Rec Supplies in North Idaho in the 32nd annual Best Of Readers Poll.
Inlander Best Of 2025: Best Outdoor Rec Supplies, North Idaho.
What We Carry
Gear for every North Idaho season
Hunting, fishing, shooting, camping and marine gear, plus clothing and footwear for the whole family, from brands like Carhartt, The North Face, Ariat, KEEN and YETI, spread across specialty showrooms that fill most of Silver Lake Mall.
Our website is a showroom: browse here, then come see it, try it on and take it home today.
Licenses & Local Know-How
Get legal and get going
- Most Idaho and Washington hunting and fishing licenses and tags, sold at our counter.
- Locals helping locals: fit, setup and know-how from staff who fish, hunt and camp here.
Questions before you come in? Call 208-667-7831. Find our counter inside Silver Lake Mall, 200 W. Hanley Ave., open 7 days: Mon–Sat 10am–7pm, Sun 10am–6pm.
In Our Community
First fishing poles, for 50 years
Dave says he loves knowing that thousands of kids have bought their first fishing pole or BB gun at Black Sheep.
Giving back has always been part of being a local store. As Brian puts it: "We do our very best to give back to the community in many ways with donations and contributions to all types of beneficiaries."
In the News
What the local papers have said
- Knolls celebrating 50th anniversary of Black Sheep Sporting GoodsCoeur d'Alene Press · Aug 6, 2025
- Coeur d'Alene mall owners find silver liningCoeur d'Alene Press · May 11, 2025
- Black Sheep honored by senatorCoeur d'Alene Press · Oct 6, 2022
- 'Our dreams are big'Coeur d'Alene Press · May 26, 2022
- Black Sheep owner purchases Silver Lake MallThe Spokesman-Review · Feb 11, 2021
- Black Sheep gets big new locationCoeur d'Alene Press · Jun 28, 2013
Visit Us
Come see us inside Silver Lake Mall
- Address
- 200 W. Hanley Ave.
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815 - Hours
- Mon–Sat 10am–7pm · Sun 10am–6pm
Holiday hours vary - Phone
- 208-667-7831
Look for the Black Sheep sign at the mall. Our showrooms spread through the shopping center, so ask any of us for directions.
"We have nothing but our customers to thank for all that."
Thanks for 50 years, Coeur d'Alene. See you in the store.