Throughout Curtis Grace’s adult life he worked for the local coop for 35 years. When time came to retire, Curtis and his son Jason Grace bought the original Blackjack Baits business in Newkirk. Blackjack Baits was owned by Craig Free since the 1970’s, which was a wholesale dealership for live fish, bait and some retail fishing tackle.

The Grace’s have owned the business since September 2019. They have grown the business and re-named it Grit and Grace Outdoors, to include outdoor wildlife equipment, sporting goods and much more. The family renovated the structures on the property that consisted of a pole barn structure to a fully enclosed building 50x30 with a lean-to roof 50x30 adjacent structure, where the live bait is kept and storage for wildlife feed. The business is an Authorized Dealer for hunting and fishing licenses, and they also have a mini storage area for individual’s personal property, which is currently full.

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, people went outdoors for lack of being able to do some of their other activities. Grace said, “People who had not fished for many years, or did not have any fishing or camping equipment to spend time with the family.” With that situation the business experienced an uptick in sales due to people getting geared up for outdoor activities.

When talking about the great outdoors, Grace likes reflecting on when he was a kid, and as kids do, played outside and created ways of entertaining himself using his imagination. From experiences throughout most of his life, from places lived, worked, organization’s he has been a member of, his family and their interests, all these have put him in a position to share with people information and provide supplies to be active outdoors. “It’s my way of giving back to the community,” stated Grace. His children have been able to make a business from their outdoor knowledge and ventures: Spencer Grace (wife Lindsay), state game warden; Jason Grace (wife Carrie), works on the Big Fork Ranch and owns The Original Stagecoach BBQ Restaurant; and Heidi (Ike) Heilig own Ike’s Donut Shop and Heidi is a school teacher in Ark City.

A feature of the business, they provide instructions for how to plant a food plot and they have small grain drill that can be borrowed (free of charge) to plant their wildlife food plots, as well as the seed.

Future plans for the business happened when Grace bought a lure company called Cordell Illusion Lures with the product being sold only at Bass Pro and Cabela’s, now available at Grit and Grace until the inventory runs out. The purchased company’s equipment and some of the inventory are at another location, waiting on expansion of the business to start manufacturing lures at Grit and Grace Outdoors.

The name of the Grace’s new line of lures is Sugar Booger (was a nickname for his son Jason as a youngster) Baits Lures, and is only available at the business until the production line gets going with the purchased business equipment to make lures. Grit and Grace Outdoors are in the process of developing a website for Grit and Grace Outdoors, LLC and the Sugar Booger Bait Lures, LLC for orders around the country for their new product.

A favorite part about having the business is helping individuals and the camaraderie of the people that come in. They are excited to go fishing or hunting, then share where they found fish biting, had seen wildlife or nabbed their prize/trophy catch. Also, with Grace living close to the lake, going up and down the river, and sharing his own experiences and information with the people that are going to Kaw Lake, Sooner Lake or other local lakes. He provides important information about campsite locations and water levels; these are all areas of importance for people to have success.

Years ago, an old bait shop east of Newkirk named Hilltop Grocery and Bait Store (not there anymore) had a picture wall. Reminiscing, Grace decided to have a wall for pictures. He calls it the Liar’s Wall, but they are truthful, and the pictures prove it. The business has contests throughout the year, one being a big buck, big doe contest during deer season with great prizes provided by the business. During fishing season they have a drawing for a top of the line Huckabee Crappie Rod. with at least a $10.00 purchase people get to put a ticket in the pot. This was very popular during that season.

Gaye Ann’s Corner, as Mr. Grace lovingly calls his wife’s section in the store, carries tee shirts, cups, hats, throw blankets, aprons, and cast iron skillets. Cast iron skillets go along with the Dutch oven cooking and contest the couple have enjoyed for years. Also in the store are some framed pictures. Curtis is a charcoal drawing artist and he has donated pieces as a fundraising item for certain organizations over the years. Mrs. Grace is teaching at Peckham Elementary School, after having taught for 20 years in the Ponca City Public School System. Both the Graces grew up in the Blackwell area and were high school sweethearts, and they never ventured far from their home town area.

Grace concluded that “Some of the best times people have, are the opportunities to be outdoors! Get outdoors and enjoy God’s Creation.”

You may enjoy stopping by, they would love to see you, share experiences and send you on your way, prepared to have a great adventure. Contact information: 712 E. 7th Street, Newkirk. Business phone: 580-362-1016. Facebook page: Grit and Grace Outdoors. Hours: Monday and Tuesday Closed, Wednesday thru Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Website: https://www.loc8nearme.com/oklahoma/newkirk/grit-and-grace-outdoors/6115738/