Serving upstate South Carolina since 1961

Our Story

In 1961, Grady and Ann Phillips opened "The Sport & Hobby Shop" at the Pruitt Shopping Center in Anderson, SC. This 840 sqft store stocked model planes and trains, fishing supplies, athletic goods, and more. Growth came quickly and in 1963 the store was moved three doors down within the same shopping center, where Grady and Ann added more toys which included Slinkies and even Barbies!

In 1965, Grady said goodbye to his "regular job" as a salesman with Anderson Auto Parts and starts full time in the shop, which was renamed "Grady's Sport & Hobby Shop". As the business continued to experience growth, it moved to a 2,400 sqft building in the brand new Belvedere Plaza Shopping Center. Additionally, western wear, horseback riding equipment and more were added to inventory!

By 1969, Grady and Ann decided to focus on the core of their business, which included hunting and fishing. The store was moved only one door down within the Belvedere Plaza to a 3,600 sqft location. The variety of outdoor products expanded, and a mail-order division was created. Grady began producing direct-mail flyers, all of which he created by hand! By 1970, the store name was shortened to "Grady's Sport Shop".

As Grady's Sports Shop began experiencing quick growth, the store was once again moved to a new location, containing 7,000 sqft, only three doors down in the Belvedere Plaza. This was almost double the size of the previous location! By 1985, faced with increasing lease expense, Grady and Ann felt that a free-standing building would best serve our customers. Property was secured in our current location, and a 9,800 sqft building was constructed. The name of the store was changed from "Grady's Sport Shop" to "Grady's Great Outdoors" which remains our current store name.

Grady and Ann's son, John Phillips, joined the family business in 1986. In 1988, John's (future) wife, Kim, was hired as a cashier where she worked part time at Grady's and full time as a registered nurse. Kim joins the family business full time after the birth of their first son, Will, and by 2002 their second son, Matthew is born.

Blessed with continual growth in the 2000's, Grady's expands to 17,000 sqft, nearly doubling its footprint in 2005. The exterior of the building is also completely redesigned. After 46 years of hard work and dedication, Grady and Ann decide to retire, handing the reigns over to their son, John, and his wife, Kim. In 2012, Grady's expanded yet again by adding 7,000 sqft to the store, making Grady's 24,000 sqft. This new addition was officially called "Action Sports".

Between 2015 and 2018, John and Kim's two sons, Will and Matthew, are hired as part time cashiers while still in school.

In 2019, "Action Sports" officially changed its name to "Grady's Trading Post" where we buy, sell, and trade used firearms and outdoors/hunting equipment.

Grady's continues to be locally owned and operated by the Phillips' family into the third generation. Will is serving Grady's as our CEO and his wife, Hannah (who also began working at Grady's as a cashier in high school in 2016!) handles marketing and soft goods buying. Matthew is serving Grady's as our CTO.

As the third-generation ushers in the future of Grady's, we hold strong to our faith and values that have brought us to this point. The Lord continues to bless us with phenomenal employees, customers, and community support. We are exceedingly thankful for the opportunity to serve upstate South Carolina and beyond.