POULSBO — A combination of growing pains and instability sealed the deal for Olympic Outdoor Center’s move to Port Gamble.

Instead of a month-to-month lease, the kayak outfitter will have a five-year lease at its new home, plus waterfront space.

“In Poulsbo we’re stuck, we can’t grow any bigger than we are,” said John Kuntz, president. The company was first founded in 1986 and run out of Kuntz’s home. In 1992 it moved to its location at 18971 Front St., now festooned with clearance sale signs.

“We kind of look like we’re in transition,” Kuntz said. “It’s getting emptier and emptier every day.”

The Poulsbo store closes Sept. 21 and the Port Gamble store, located at 32379 Rainier Ave., opens Sept. 26.

Kuntz started thinking about the move six months ago when the current building owners indicated they wanted to sell. Kuntz said he hasn’t heard of any buyers.

“We view this as an expansion,” he said. “It’s going to create more of a destination for us.”

In addition to its new store in the touristy North Kitsap hamlet, the center is leasing waterfront space, and plans to hold three-day kayaking expositions, complete with manufacturers and speakers.

“It’s going to be kind of wide open,” he said. In addition to traditional kayaks, Kuntz said the store is looking into expanding into various kinds of paddling, as well as sailing and rowing.

The center employs about 25 people in the summer, Kuntz said, but whittles down to five in the winter. It will keep its presence at the Poulsbo Marina.

Although the downturned economy has affected business, Kuntz said the store has a strong presence on the Internet.

“I’m sure we’ll stay busy,” he said.