ASHEVILLE, N.C. (May 15, 2025) — Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, the national organization dedicated to the health and growth of specialty outdoor retail, welcomed five new members this month, elevating the group’s network to 104 independent retailers.
The additions also set a new benchmark for the total number of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance retailers, a coalition that now includes 223 specialty retail stores in 45 states.
“As we add more independently owned retailers to our network, it strengthens the work we do in helping all of our members run their businesses more effectively,” said Maile Spung, Board Chair of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance and owner of Colorado’s Ute Mountaineer and Neptune Mountaineering. “We’re excited to welcome this group of five proven retailers to our network. As we grow, so does our ability to share information and learn from one another, which helps us all serve our communities better.”
The five new Grassroots retailers include:
Down Wind Sports, three locations in Houghton, Munising and Marquette, Mich. — owned by Bill Thompson, Todd King, Arni Ronis, Nic Dobbs and Matt Abbotts. “Our mission has always been to provide the highest quality outdoor products for our customers in the greater upper Midwest. … We pride ourselves on outstanding customer service as well as being a resource for recreational opportunities in the U.P.”
Granite Sports, located in Hill City, S.D. — owned by Lisa and Pat Wiederhold: “Our goal with the store is to provide the best products and service to meet our customers’ needs and to get people to enjoy the outdoors. It is important for us to be active in the community and give back in as many ways as possible”
Sherpers, three locations in Hales Corners, Port Washington and Oconomowoc, Wis. — owned by Nathan Scherper. “We are a fourth-generation, family owned and operated business, and have been in business since 1935. That is a rarity and something I take a lot of pride in. Continuing this legacy is something that drives me every day. Each of our stores caters directly to the communities we are a part of.”
The Trail House, located in Frederick, Md. — owned by Drennan and Catie Hicks. “We want to build upon the (40-year) legacy that our shop has and part of that is participating in organizations like Grassroots to learn, share and make our industry better. Ultimately, we want to be able to share our love of the outdoors and to provide our local community with the best that we can offer … ”
WheelzUp Adventures, located in Cumberland, Md. — owned by Mandela and Jaime Echefu. “Wheelzup is a business that started from recognizing the unique opportunity for specialty outdoor retail in this location. … Wheelzup is very diversified, hence the percentage of our sales that comes from things like bikes, shuttles, rentals and experiences. However, we believe there is an opportunity to grow the lifestyle and outdoor categories.”
These five retailers will join the rest of the Grassroots retailer and vendor network at the Connect retail buying show June 9-12, 2025, in Reno, Nev., where 148 retail businesses and 147 exhibitors will gather for line showings supporting order writing for Spring 2026. Those figures include guest retailers and exhibitors.
About Grassroots Outdoor Alliance
Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is a retailer-owned network of 104 independently owned outdoor retailers and 67 vendor partners, working together for the health and growth of specialty outdoor retail. Through data collection and analysis, direct member support, specialty events and deep vendor partnerships, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is creating both a vision and roadmap for the long-term success of independent specialty retail. Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is 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. Grassroots Outdoor Alliance also operates Connect, a twice-annual legacy show experience that spans four days, offering an efficient and structured format for retailers to conduct pre-season line showings and business conversations.
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