Having entered bankruptcy proceedings late last year, Austin-based outdoor retailer Backwoods has been purchased by a holding company led by Kevin McConnell, who has become the president of Backwoods 2.0 LLC. McConnell will be overseeing all operations of the newly formed company effective immediately.
The purchase was for the assets of Backwoods Retail, Backwoods Adventures and Backwoods Intellectual Property. A few weeks ago, Backwoods announced the sale Boulder’s Neptune Mountaineering to Shelley and Andrew Dunbar, who own the North American distribution company for Australian gear company Sea to Summit.
Jennifer Mull, previous CEO of Backwoods Retail, Inc. has agreed to a consulting arrangement with the new company. “I am very happy that Backwoods Retail and Backwoods Adventures will continue forward and have the opportunity to grow into an innovative and successful omni-channel retailer,” said Mull. “Kevin and his investors will inject their knowledge, excitement and expertise into the company and I look forward to watching the evolution.”
McConnell also serves as chief marketing officer for Gunn&Hook, an online booking platform for hunters and fishermen based in Austin.
“We believe in the company, are proud of its history and look forward to executing a new omni-channel vision for the company that is critical to thrive in today’s challenging retail market, said McConnell, who add that the headquarters will remain in Austin, Texas, and all employees will be retained in Austin and in the remaining locations.
Backwoods continues to operate five stores in Fort Worth, Texas; Omaha, Ned; Oklahoma City, Okla.; Tulsa, Okla.; and Wichita, Kan., It has closed four stores since its bankruptcy.
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