Please Support your Local Shops

I recently made an appointment to pick up some cams I ordered a while back from my local store. They had mentioned I’m their second customer in the last two weeks. This has hit them really hard with ordering a lot of inventory and getting ready for the season, if things don’t turn around they might have to sleep at the shop.

If you’re in a place where you can still afford to buy gear and are spending your money online, consider the stores in your local area first. In towns like mine there was nothing, and is no climbing shops for hours. They go out of their way to bring in stuff and keep a good selection and help out with local events. They will even come in after hours if you are racking up to leave and realize you need that one more cam. More than ever spend alittle more and support your local community.

If you are looking to buy stuff, check out my local shop. They have an online store and will ship stuff, they don’t have everything online and the prices they have to post publicly are a lot higher than what they actually sell stuff for. Drop them an email or call or text them, they are super responsive and will do anything to make you happy.

https://www.idahoadventuresports.com
208-252-1441

IME in SLC needs help!

Roy Suggett wrote: IME in SLC needs help!

Plus 1+ for IME, I used to have to travel to Salt Lake to buy gear and these guys are great! I love the consignment area. 

Most shops have been mandated to close if they don't fit the regulations of "essential". 

If they sell freeze dried food they can be considered essential if they want to continue shop. 

A gift card from a shop (or local restaurant, brewery, etc.) is always an option for support, even if they are closed.

Anyone know which local shops are still offering shipping and have operational online stores?

So far I've found:

Rock and Resole: https://rockandresole.com/
Idaho Adventure Sports: idahoadventuresports.com/
Rock and Snow is unclear as to whether it's shipping: rockandsnow.com/store/
Alpenglow (the one in Maine): alpenglowgear.com/
Ascent Outdoors (formerly Second Ascent I guess? Sounds like things have changed since i lived in Seattle 10 years ago): ascentoutdoors.com/
Next Adventure: nextadventure.net/operation…

I'm sure there are lots more!

Don't forget the small local gyms

The Strawberry Station General Store at the Leap are open with limited hours. They have gear in stock and will ship to wherever. Squirrel and Jen have been giving to the climbing community for a long time, they can definitely use some support now. 

I work at Wild Iris Mountain Sports here in Lander, WY, and I can confirm that times are really hard for us and every dollar helps. We have been forced to close our doors to the public, but we are still able to do online orders, curbside pick up, and are setting up our online store on our website wildirisclimbing.com/virtua…. This year, we are celebrating our 30th anniversary and proud to be the same shop that Todd and Amy Skinner started back in 1990.

It has definitely been tough for us being located in a small town and now without tourism. If anyone needs anything, please contact me at the shop. We are happy to ship out of state. Check out our blog post below for ways to help us out and raise money for the Lander Community Foundation. https://www.wildirisclimbing.com/blog/virtual-spring-fling-fundraiser-week-1

When things calm down I hope to see you at the International Climbers Fest or up at the Iris.
-Jake

Gift cards available at

(Wilson’s) Eastside Sports in Bishop, CA

Get them now, turn into merchandise once they are able to ship. They just started taking orders online...

Gumby King wrote: Don't forget the small local gyms

The local gyms are DEFINITELY closed. any gym thats open right now is operating without following national and probably state mandates.

Nicholas King 1 wrote: The local gyms are DEFINITELY closed. any gym thats open right now is operating without following national and probably state mandates.

Really!?  I had no idea.  Thank you for the PSA.

Now, back to my point:  People should consider trying to figure out how to support their local gyms.

Now, back to my point:  People should consider trying to figure out how to support their local gyms.

Good point. Some gyms are running membership specials, some give you an option to keep paying monthly fees. Once they reopen - there will be classes, rentals etc.

Thanks for starting this thread.  My favorite local shop, IME in SLC, is doing phone orders with curbside pickup.  Please go this route before heading to the internet.  I drove over there today and picked up a new book to read and was told they are doing about a third of the business that they were before this all hit.  I hope they can hold out.  These local shops are so much more than just places to buy gear.

IME is definitely an awesome spot. The amount of history those guys have and willingness to teach is pretty rad. I was lucky to grab a crash pad and a rope when all of this started. Gift cards are definitely a cool idea though.

Nkane 1 wrote: Anyone know which local shops are still offering shipping and have operational online stores?

Northeast shops:

The Mountaineer, Keene Valley NY
The Outdoor Gear Exchange, Burlington VT
IME, North Conway NH

I ordered some stuff from the Mountaineer recently that I thought they had specific ice picks in stock but didn't have on their online store. They worked it all out with me and now I have some fresh steel! OGE is also doing mail orders and IME is doing mail and curbside I think. Rock and Snow, mentioned up thread, is also fulfilling mail orders and curbside according to social media

​Boise Gear Collective​​​  is operating via curbside, I think they also would ship. The bike shop is functioning also! Great time to get a spring tuneup, or even a bike, if you are in the Boise area. They have new and used outdoor gear, and have ordered in stuff like ropes for me, in the past.

My first rope!

Best, Helen

Sports ltd in SLT keeps their doors locked, but allows a couple people in the store at a given time if you call them and wait at the front door. I wish eastside sports would allow something similar, cause i could use a few things, and wanna give them my money

Sir Loin wrote: Sports ltd in SLT keeps their doors locked, but allows a couple people in the store at a given time if you call them and wait at the front door. I wish eastside sports would allow something similar, cause i could use a few things, and wanna give them my money

Have you tried emailing them via their web format https://eastsidesports.com/contact/

Their website says "Though what we do well is live, in-person customer service, sales and support, we have added online shopping through Locally.com. We are willing to ship anywhere in the US, but Locally is really set up for local delivery (we bring it to you), or pickup. During the Covid-19 pandemic we are willing to be (safely) creative to help you get what you need".

Eastside Sports does sell gift certificates on the website eastsidesports.com  and yes buying those for future use REALLY helps us out right now! We are required to be closed, however we have many ways to assist you in purchasing items from us and we have good stock levels on hand. The website does have a "shop" button now and lists many of the items we sell. There is also a "shop now" link on our Facebook page. We can work individually with customers to allow you to shop safely at the store. This info is posted on the doors and is also on the answering machine. We are trying to get the word out the best we can. Call or text 760-920-0774 or email chris@eastsidesports.com   We can easily take orders over the phone but use this listed phone instead of the usual shop number. As previous people in other shops have stated everything helps right now. Being required to be closed for over a month now it's pretty grim. We are usually only closed two days a year!  Thank you everyone for your support and we hope to see you all again very soon!