If you know Asheville then you know this month’s Outdoor Business Alliance’s member spotlight, Second Gear. Second Gear is Asheville’s outdoor adventure gear consignment store. It’s our local source for affordable, high quality outdoor equipment and apparel. And…they are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year! They are also hosting this month’s OBA social with Pete Ripmaster on September 11th.
1. Second Gear has a unique business model combining consignment and retail. How has this approach contributed to your success, especially during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic?
Second Gear was founded out of the idea that it shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg to explore and test out new outdoor activities. Back before we opened in 2004 there weren’t many options for used gear, if you wanted to break into something new you had to buy new – but how would you know that investment would be worth it if you found out that new hobby wasn’t exactly for you? What a roadblock to a new adventure!!
Exploring our outdoors should always be more accessible and affordable than that – and that’s exactly what Russ thought too when opening the doors to Second Gear 20 years ago. He wanted to explore getting into cycling but didn’t want to spend all that money without knowing it was for him – so now here we are! Second Gear will always be a special place for anyone and everyone to be able to afford to try something new, upgrade gear on the cheap, and have a way to make back on a hobby that maybe wasn’t the one for you!
This was especially relevant when the world shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic…
In a recent report from the Outdoor Foundation, in 2023, the outdoor recreation participant base grew 4.1% to a record 175.8 million participants! That number increased across many demographics and activities as new, more casual participants began for the first time hiking, biking, and camping. In fact, in 2023, 7.7 million Americans tried one or more outdoor recreation activities FOR THE FIRST TIME! This growth might have begun in 2016, but it ACCELERATED during the COVID pandemic, and guess what, it’s NOT showing signs of slowing down anytime soon! When we weren’t able to connect with others during the pandemic, Second Gear was there to help so many in our community to newly connect to our outdoors affordably and sustainably!! As we always say, the Exploration Starts Here at Second Gear!
2. Can you tell us about Second Gear’s Nonprofit Program and how it supports local organizations in the Asheville area?
Since the early days, Second Gear has always believed in giving back. I addition to the millions of dollars paid back into our WNC community through consignor payouts, we also each month donate 1% of our sales to a new non-profit of the month – including providing additional opportunities for these organizations to present in our store and be promoted on our social media, newsletters, and mail-outs. Additionally, we have sponsored countless events and fundraisers across WNC. Our community comes first here at Second Gear.
3. As a member of the Outdoor Business Alliance, how has this affiliation benefited Second Gear, and what value do you see in being part of this network?
Connection is key. Connection to community, the outdoors and to everyone that wants to make a difference to both. Together we stand stronger and can do better. The OBA has been invaluable to us connecting to many astounding local WNC makers that we have been able to support and grow with within our store, to countless nonprofits that do such amazing work to connecting underserved and overlooked communities to the great outdoors, we have even made friends and family of all those who share the same passion – the list could go on and on… Hands down, an organization like the OBA is invaluable and needed, especially in a busy and chaotic world like the one we live in now. We are all members of the same team, and there is something very special in that, especially when it comes to preserving the outdoors and our opportunities to explore, play and connect in it.
4. Second Gear recently moved to a larger space in the River Arts District. What motivated this expansion, and how do you see it impacting your business and community engagement?
We are celebrating three years in this wonderful space and couldn’t be more satisfied and excited to be here. Not only was our footprint nearly quadruple but we were able to massively expand our consignment program, create wonderful business relationships in-store, and be perfectly located in such a special spot along the French Broad River and the city’s greenway! We love our old location in West Asheville, but here we connected even greater with the outdoors – we love seeing people come off the river or on their bikes to stop in the store to explore. Even unprepared folks on the greenway can grab a rain jacket, sunscreen or a gelato to get out of the heat, it just couldn’t be anymore convenient! We love it here and so does everyone else in our community – and for so much more than just the extra parking! Here’s to 20 more years by the river and in Asheville’s hearts when it comes to connecting all who wish it to the great outdoors!
More information about all things Second Gear visit their website here.
