ROCKY RIVER, Ohio – Adventure for all: that’s the motto of the new Cleveland Outpost, a shop that focused on used outdoor gear and rentals.
Josh Scott and Hannah Kelling, aim to get Clevelanders to try new activities, from kayaking to rock climbing, with affordable equipment and expertise from the sales staff at the store, which aims to open Monday in space shared by Nalu Stand Up Paddle & Surf.
“No one can claim to be an expert in the outdoors,” said Scott, 30. “There’s always something new to try.”
Scott hopes to create an outdoor-oriented community.
He and Kelling, who both work at kayak liveries and live in a Lakewood apartment, are talking to existing stores, like Geiger’s in Lakewood and the Backpackers Shop in Avon, about how they can work together. They’re building relationships with outdoor brands and featuring artwork in their store. And they’ve hired a twentysomething staff all have a certification or guide experience in some aspects of the outdoors: camping, paddlesports, climbing, hiking, biking, etc. Staff will be able to give tips on what to do and where to go.
“It’s not just a shopping experience,” Scott said. “It’s a conversation with a bunch of young people who enjoy the outdoors and want to try something unique and new.”
Scott and Kelling hatched the idea for the shop before the coronavirus pandemic. The financial downturn that followed made them reconsider the idea, especially because getting a small business loan proved difficult. But they realized that more people are exercising and adventuring outside because of the virus; bike and watersports sales are way up.
The couple decided to persevere, and to start small, without a huge inventory of new items – though they do plan to carry new, sustainable, trendy outdoor clothing.
“It seems as if we’re going to be relying on the community as much or more than we ever have hoped,” Scott said. “We get to start small and focused…. If I were to bring in a really nice Canada goose parka, might be able to walk away with most of a kayak. We want to keep those things in circulation and out of a landfill.”
The Cleveland Outpost also plans to offer a membership, to allow people to rent gear. For example, a member could rent a box of everything they’d need to camp for a weekend.
To start, weekday hours will be limited, with longer hours on weekends. You can find the shop at 1328 Linda Street.
Said Scott, “Getting outside seems to the be respite everyone’s looking for.”
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May 31, 2020 at 06:45PM
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New Cleveland Outpost shop will rent outdoor gear -- and sell used - cleveland.com
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