The Outdoor Collective, the community-first outdoor retailer based in Black Mountain, N.C., looks to expand to a second location. In keeping with its community-grown roots, the retailer offers Western North Carolinians the chance to be grassroots supporters of the outdoor neighborhood store. The Outdoor Collective launched a public crowdfunding campaign to raise $500,000 for an Asheville location by September 2.
The Outdoor Collective was founded in 2021 to recreate the outdoor retail experience by placing the 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,” said 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 retailer membership model has 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 more than 30 member brands and 30-plus direct retailers, including regional favorites like Astral, Farm to Feet and Tarpestry, as well as 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,” said Brad Jeffery, founder of Made Free, a Black Mountain-based brand that 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 wants to replicate its model in Asheville. The new location would offer 10,000 square feet of retail space, co-working spots, coffee, and brews in a location in the heart of Asheville’s premier shopping district. However, the retailer looks toward the community to help reach its $500,000 goal with these incentives:
- Until Thursday (July 28) ‘Trailblazers’ can give $500 to earn 40 percent off for life, or can earn 25 percent off for life when they give $350.
- From Friday through Aug. 4, ‘Explorers’ can give $750 to earn 40 percent off for life or can earn 25 percent off for life when they give $475.
- From August 5 through September 2, ‘Weekend Warriors’ can give $350 to earn 40 percent off for three years or can earn 25 percent for three years when they give $200.
- All supporters 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.
