HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) -

Longevity is often intangible for businesses these days, but Sacks Outdoors in downtown Hattiesburg has made it through 61 years and is still going strong.

Forjust as many yearsbusinesses have come and gone in downtown Hattiesburg.

"The changes were meant to be I guess. People trying to find other sources other ways of making themselves feel new," said owner of Sacks Outdoors, David Sackler.

Sackler says he and his family never wanted to move the business anywhere else.

"I always thought downtown was the place for me," said Sackler.

That dedication is exactly why the Historic Hattiesburg Downtown Association made Sackler the recipient of the inaugural "Making It Happen" award.

Sackler was born in Poland, and his family relocated to Mississippi in 1948. In 1951 Sackler's father started the family operation.

"It was spread from just aclothing store to a sporting good store. Now we have a variety of other items," said Sackler.

Now, a third generation of the Sackler familyhas taken over. David's son Aaron .

Continued here:
Pride of the Pine Belt: Sacks Outdoors