Community-first outdoor retailer aims to crowdfund $500,000 by September 2
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Black Mountain, NC – July 25, 2022 – The Outdoor Collective, the community-first outdoor retailer based in Black Mountain, North Carolina, is looking to expand to a second location. In keeping with its community-grown roots, the retailer is offering Western North Carolinians the chance to be grassroots supporters of the outdoor neighborhood store. The Outdoor Collective today launched a public crowdfunding campaign with the goal of raising $500,000 for an Asheville location by September 2.
The Outdoor Collective was founded in 2021 with the goal of RE-creating the outdoor retail experience by placing community at the center of everything it does. In addition to retail and co-working space, the Outdoor Collective offers a large courtyard where patrons can enjoy a local draft beer or a locally roasted cup of coffee, actualizing the retailer’s signature COMMUNITY + COFFEE + BEER + GEAR formula.
“This idea is not necessarily a new idea. Sometimes if you go to your favorite outfitter, there will be a component or an area of coffee and community,” says Lincoln Walters, founder of the Outdoor Collective. “But I think what we have created here at the Outdoor Collective is a unique way to scale the outdoor retailer model by leading with community and putting retail around it.”
The Outdoor Collective’s unique retailer membership model has also allowed it to showcase and sell premium products from local and regional brands that aren’t typically found in stores because often smaller gear builders don’t have the margins to sell wholesale to retailers. The Black Mountain location features over 30 member brands and over 30 direct retailers, including regional favorites like Astral, Farm to Feet, and Tarpestry, and national brands like Garmin, Toad&Co, and Rab.
“What I love about the Collective is that they care about supporting local businesses and connecting consumers to the outdoor experience,” says Brad Jeffery, founder of Made Free, a Black Mountain-based brand whose packs and totes support freedom from human trafficking, slavery, and poverty. “In their shop, they carry a collection of local brands that are either making products in the region or their headquarters are based in the area.”
The Outdoor Collective is now looking to replicate its unique yet proven model in Asheville. The new location would offer 10,000 square feet of retail space, co-working spots, coffee, and brews in an ideal location in the heart of Asheville’s premier shopping district. However, the retailer is looking toward the community to help reach its $500,000 goal with the following incentives:
- From July 22 – 28, ‘Trailblazers’ can give $500 to earn 40% off for life, or can earn 25% off for life when they give $350.
- From July 29 – August 4, ‘Explorers’ can give $750 to earn 40% off for life, or can earn 25% off for life when they give $475.
- From August 5 – September 2, ‘Weekend Warriors’ can give $350 to earn 40% off for three years, or can earn 25% for three years when they give $200.
- All supporters will receive custom ‘early adopter’ t-shirts. Those interested in supporting are encouraged to act fast, as limited slots are available at each level.
To learn more about supporting the Outdoor Collective or its crowdfunding campaign, visit www.wncoutdoorcollective.com/crowdfund. For media inquiries, please contact Ashleigh Sherman at ashleigh@darbycommunications.com.
About the Outdoor Collective
The Outdoor Collective is striving to RE-create the outdoor retail experience by placing people at the forefront and welcoming everyone around the campfire. Our neighborhood outdoor store builds retail around community, not without it. We understand that there are those who may feel disconnected from the outdoors for many reasons, be it inexperience, accessibility, or economics, that’s why we’re in the business of creating welcoming spaces for anyone who loves adventure.
