Grassroots Outdoor Alliance welcomes new retail members from California, Colorado, Georgia, Texas, and Virginia

September 10, 2019

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, the national organization dedicated to the health and growth of independent specialty retail, welcomes six new members ahead of their annual Grassroots Connect buying show, Nov. 1-5, 2019

DENVER, COLORADO (September 10, 2019) – Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, the national organization dedicated to the health and growth of independent specialty retail, welcomes six new members ahead of their annual Grassroots Connect buying show, Nov. 1-5, 2019.

The new retail members include High Country Outfitters (Atlanta, Ga.), Jax Mercantile (La Porte, Colo.), Kristi Mountain Sports (Alamosa, Colo.), Mountain Sports (Arlington, Texas), Tahoe Mountain Sports (Truckee, Calif.), and Walkabout Outfitter (Lexington, Va.).

The additions elevate Grassroots Outdoor Alliance to 74 members and 144 doors nationwide, marking the largest size ever for the organization.

“The growth of interest and membership in Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is a strong positive indicator for the broader outdoor industry. These are businesses that are already performing at a high level, but are looking to deepen relationships and increase their business efficiencies,” said Dana Howe, retail relations manager for Grassroots Outdoor Alliance.

The new member retailers first event will be at the fall 2019 Grassroots Connect buying show in Denver, Colo. The confirmed schedule for the event includes vendor move-in and member-only education seminars (Nov. 1, 2019); four days of pre-booked retailer and vendor meetings (Nov. 2-5, 2019); and vendor move-out (Nov. 5, 2019).

“While Grassroots Connect is a super efficient and affordable buying show for retailers and vendors, it’s also a valued gathering point for the independent specialty retail community,” added Howe.

High Country Outfitters (www.highcountryoutfitters.com) is a locally owned and operated outdoor gear and clothing business with five locations in Atlanta and Athens, Ga., as well as an adventures business based in Ocoee, Tenn. The family owned and community focused store regularly hosts clinics, events, and classes, as well as conservation and trail clean up events.

“High Country is turning 44 this year and continuing to grow. Joining Grassroots is a way to collaborate with vendors, to connect with like-minded retailers, and to ensure future success for our business as well as the industry as a whole,” said John Sloan, general manager of High Country Outfitters.

Jax Mercantile (www.jaxgoods.com) was founded in 1955, and has seven locations across Colorado’s front range as well as a store in Ames, Iowa. The community and customer-service focused retailer host events and classes at all locations, and supports a variety of causes including Legacy Land Trust, Larimer County Conservation Corp, the Butterfly Pavilion, Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, Friends of the Poudre and Idea Wild.

“Grassroots is a collection of the very best independent outdoor retail companies in our country. Vendors see the organization as a way to channel their efforts and collaborate with an essential distribution channel, and we — as member retailers — enjoy the opportunity to meet with leadership of key vendor partners outside of the traditional rep-buyer structure,” said Jim Quinlan, general manager of Jax Mercantile.

 Kristi Mountain Sports (www.kristimountainsports.com) is a core outdoor specialty shop based in the San Luis Valley. Family owned and operated for 35 years, the full-service shop supports and promotes local bike races, collegiate outdoor recreation programs and school mountain bike teams. Kristi Mountain Sports is also a driving force in local and regional advocacy for public land support, trail access, and sustainable stewardship.

 “Joining Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is a great amplifier for the retailer perspective, and also enables us to become a part of a larger collective voice advocating for the protection and sustainability of the small independent retailer,”  said Raleigh Burt, general manager of Kristi Mountain Sports.

Mountain Sports (www.mountainsports.com) was founded in 1972 in a modest-sized metal building of only 500 sq. ft. Today, Mountain Sports is a leader in specialty outdoor retail and their community. Hosting clinics, classes and social events, Mountain Sports is an active fundraiser for locations including River Legacy Park, Mineral Wells State Park and Cedar Hill State Park; as well as organizations such as Becoming an Outdoors-Woman.

“Being a part of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance will help keep us up-to-date with the best brands and latest product technology, and additionally strengthen efforts to keep specialty outdoor retailers relevant in an age of big-box stores and massive online marketplaces,” said Bill Anton, general manager of Mountain Sports.

Tahoe Mountain Sports (www.tahoemountainsports.com) is a community driven, family owned and operated local business based in Truckee, California. A community and event hub, Tahoe Mountain Sports works with numerous local non profits including the Sierra Avalanche Center, Tahoe Backcountry Alliance, Auburn Ski Club, Sierra Business Council, Tahoe Food Hub, Mountain Area Preservation, Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue, Boys and Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe and the Tahoe Rim Trail Association.

“Grassroots Outdoor Alliance represents everything Tahoe Mountain Sports stands for and works towards in the outdoor industry. Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is the advocate for specialty retailers at the highest level, bringing the best ideas to the table and speaking up loudly when it matters,” said Dave Polivy, general manager of Tahoe Mountain Sports.

Walkabout Outfitter (www.walkaboutoutfitter.com) was founded in 2005, and has grown to include six locations in Virginia including Richmond, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Roanoke and Blacksburg.

“We are excited to be a part of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance efforts to share ideas, to learn, and to build a better business and community. There is a wealth of knowledge within Grassroots Outdoor Alliance,” said Kirk Miller of Walkabout Outfitter.

ABOUT GRASSROOTS OUTDOOR ALLIANCE: Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is a national association working together for the health and growth of independent specialty outdoor retail. With 144 storefronts across 34 states, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is creating both a vision and roadmap for the long-term success of independent specialty retailers, through data collection and analysis, direct member support, specialty events, and deep vendor partnerships. Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is also recognized as a catalyst for the success of its retailers and vendor partners; an advocate for specialty independent retail; a promoter of education and community within the specialty channel; and a key influencer of the national outdoor industry. For more information on Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, please go to www.grassrootsoutdoors.com.

ABOUT GRASSROOTS CONNECT: Efficient, affordable and effective for every attendee, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance Connect is the only national show designed specifically to improve retail buying results. Scheduled as early as possible in the buying cycle, the growing Grassroots Connect show attracts nearly 1,000 independent specialty retailers, vendor brands, media, and members of the outdoor industry community to each show. Connect provides a highly efficient opportunity for retailers, reps and vendors to present, discuss, plan and collect pre-season orders. Cost-effective and simple, Connect is both an incubator and testing ground for the greater outdoor industry. Invited retailers receive a per attendee reimbursement to offset their travel costs. The next Grassroots Connect show will be held in Denver, Colorado (Nov. 1-5, 2019).  For more information, please go to https://connect.grassrootsoutdoors.com

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