COEUR d'ALENE - After 20 years just off U.S. 95, Black Sheep Sporting Goods has moved to a larger building that was most recently occupied by Wholesale Sports.

The new location, at 3534 N. Government Way next to the Costco Wholesale outlet, will provide Black Sheep with 50,000 square feet of leased floor space. Wholesale Sports closed at that location this spring, and Black Sheep started moving product into the building this month.

Black Sheep Sporting Goods had been located at 308 W. Seale Ave., on the east side of U.S. 95, since 1993, said Brian Knoll. It had 20,000 square feet of floor space at that location.

The new location allows Knoll's family to consolidate the sporting goods store, the Black Sheep Clothing Outlet, Timberline Trading Co. and Black Sheep Bargain Barn under one roof, he said. Knoll's parents, David and Barbara Knoll, are the owners.

"We felt it would be easier to run from a business point of view, but also be more convenient for our customers as well," Knoll said. "The larger space has allowed us to broaden our product selection a little bit."

He said the number of employees will remain about the same around 50 people.

The original Black Sheep store, which opened on Fourth Street just south of Appleway Avenue in the fall of 1975, had about 1,500 square feet of floor space, Knoll said.

The Knoll family has tentative plans to re-open the Black Sheep Bargain Barn at 308 W. Seale Ave. Clearance clothes and distressed merchandise would be moved there.