Buckeye Sports Center, Northfield

For more than half a century, Buckeye Sports Center has outfitted outdoorsfolk with winter and summer sporting gear from brands such as O’Neill, Connelly, Nordica, and Dynastar. Every season, full-time employees diligently test the store’s selection of snow boots and ski equipment to match Midwestern snow conditions, factory-trained boat mechanics service Mercury motors and jet skis, and recreation scientists research ways to conquer the unexplored frontier of water-vapor sports. Knowledgeable staff members match customers to perfectly fitting skis, boards, and boots, and a fleet of Hobie kayaks and glistening powered speed and fishing boats opens up lakes and rivers for fun-filled voyages of exploration.