Elliott Mitchell Wolfe, owner of the Copper Rivet stores and former owner of the Wolfe's Sportsman's Headquarters stores, died at home in Salt Lake City on Nov. 16, 1996, age 69.
In a 1976 Deseret News interview, Mr. Wolfe noted how pleased he was to own five sporting goods stores. An avid hunter and fisherman who also enjoyed skiing, golf and tennis, he said, "I've been able to couple my hobbies with my livelihood. I love what I'm doing."Mr. Wolfe began working in the Wolfe's store as a boy. After service in the Army Air Corps during World War II, he attended the University of Utah, graduating in 1950. The same year he went to work full time at the store, 250 S. State, which was founded in 1920 by his uncle, Hubert Wolfe.
When his father retired in 1956, Mr. Wolfe bought his interest in the stores. The store quickly expanded and new outlets opened in Salt Lake City, Park City, Orem, Holladay and Ogden. In the early 1970s, he added the sale of jeans and other clothing, opening four Copper Rivet stores.
In 1965, Mr. Wolfe was honored by the Brand Names Foundation as the retailer of the year in the sporting goods category. He was among 253 finalists competing for the award nationwide. Later, then-President Gerald Ford presented him with an award from the Ski Industries of America, the Ski Retailer of the Year Award.
He was on the executive board of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, president of the Downtown Retail Merchants Association, and chairman of the Utah State American Legion Baseball League. He was also a member of the Kiwanis Club, the Murphers, the Salt Lake County Club, Rancho Mirage, Newstate Gun Club, Ducks Unlimited, the Jewish Community Center and Congregation Kol Ami.