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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Gear Forum Your Favorite Out Of Business Gear Companies |
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11/25/2015 10:40PM
I still use a small thermal pack made by Early Winters for keeping fish filets after fileting fish away from camp..
My 10 degree goose down bag I still use is made by Back To Basics. Both were bought in the early 1980s and very high quality, no frills products.
My 10 degree goose down bag I still use is made by Back To Basics. Both were bought in the early 1980s and very high quality, no frills products.
"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." --- George Bernard Shaw
11/25/2015 10:59PM
ill name an old brick and mortar retailer....united stores.
3 more. I also miss the old holiday stores, burger brothers, and eastern mount sports.
at the old holiday stores you could buy a gallon of milk, a loaf of bread, a dozen eggs, rapalas, trilene, jigs, Remington guns, shotgun shells, PSE bows, Easton arrows, a dozen pintail decoys, decoy line and anchors, 10-32 screws and nuts, etc. all under one roof.
3 more. I also miss the old holiday stores, burger brothers, and eastern mount sports.
at the old holiday stores you could buy a gallon of milk, a loaf of bread, a dozen eggs, rapalas, trilene, jigs, Remington guns, shotgun shells, PSE bows, Easton arrows, a dozen pintail decoys, decoy line and anchors, 10-32 screws and nuts, etc. all under one roof.
11/26/2015 09:40AM
In my early days when I was young and poor I used to sew all my own equipment.
Down sleeping bags, down coats & vests, rain gear, a dome tent, and two frame pack backpacks and bicycle panniers.
I miss HOLUBAR and FROSTLINE and ALTRA.
.
Down sleeping bags, down coats & vests, rain gear, a dome tent, and two frame pack backpacks and bicycle panniers.
I miss HOLUBAR and FROSTLINE and ALTRA.
.
“We must remember that in the end nature does not belong to us, we belong to it.” - Grey Owl "Everyone must believe in something. I believe I'll go canoeing" - Henry David Thoreau
11/26/2015 06:18PM
quote ObiWenonahKenobi: "In my early days when I was young and poor I used to sew all my own equipment.
Down sleeping bags, down coats & vests, rain gear, a dome tent, and two frame pack backpacks and bicycle panniers.
I miss HOLUBAR and FROSTLINE and ALTRA.
.
"
Gosh, hadn't heard those names in YEARS! I had an Altra vest that I had for years. Neighbor lady sewed it together for me. Loved that vest!
"Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry." Mark Twain
11/27/2015 11:13AM
quote kanoes: "ill name an old brick and mortar retailer....united stores.
3 more. I also miss the old holiday stores, burger brothers, and eastern mount sports.
at the old holiday stores you could buy a gallon of milk, a loaf of bread, a dozen eggs, rapalas, trilene, jigs, Remington guns, shotgun shells, PSE bows, Easton arrows, a dozen pintail decoys, decoy line and anchors, 10-32 screws and nuts, etc. all under one roof."
Well Eastern Mountain Sports is still brick and mortar just not locally anymore, couldn't compete with Midewest/REI/Cabelas and rising costs of renting space at local malls, but I miss them at Burnsville center, although my pocket book probably doesn't. There was another camping based store that went out of business at the same time United something or other. Burnsville Mall had 2 camping stores at one time hard to believe.
My best, out of business equipment is a map case by Grade IV . Folds nicely, has a zipper stash for permits/license, attaches to portage pack, can't believe no one has copied them since they went out of business. I think they were out of Illinois and specialized in Canoe/BWCAW gear.
Here are a couple of pics of the map case in front of me while in use the first pick the case is attached to a GG thwart pack and facing me--you can only see the top. The second pick it is attached to a pack and folded back out of the way.
T
11/27/2015 12:04PM
Grade VI still exists. Its Charlie Wilson and he has Sue Audette in Connecticut making Grade VI pads DBA the Bag Lady
Charlie left Urbana Illinois and settled in NY State. Thats what happens to small one or two person operations.
Sue doesnt have a great website but it may be worth calling her
http://www.waterworkscanoe.com/kneeling_pads.htm
She has the GradeVI paddle bags too.
EMS has kept REI out of Maine.. and allowed just a few REI stores in other New England States.
Charlie left Urbana Illinois and settled in NY State. Thats what happens to small one or two person operations.
Sue doesnt have a great website but it may be worth calling her
http://www.waterworkscanoe.com/kneeling_pads.htm
She has the GradeVI paddle bags too.
EMS has kept REI out of Maine.. and allowed just a few REI stores in other New England States.
11/27/2015 06:25PM
quote ObiWenonahKenobi:
I miss HOLUBAR and FROSTLINE and ALTRA.
.
"
Holubar made some good products. I still have my -20 down bag that I got from them when I graduated H.S. in 1972. I used to do a lot of winter camping in my younger years, not so much anymore. I never got cold in it and it's still in good shape. I did take it to BWCA in a mid October trip but it was too warm to be inside it. I used it as a blanket.
11/27/2015 08:04PM
quote yellowcanoe: "Grade VI still exists. Its Charlie Wilson and he has Sue Audette in Connecticut making Grade VI pads DBA the Bag Lady
Charlie left Urbana Illinois and settled in NY State. Thats what happens to small one or two person operations.
Sue doesnt have a great website but it may be worth calling her
http://www.waterworkscanoe.com/kneeling_pads.htm
She has the GradeVI paddle bags too.
"
Thanks for the name of Charlie Wilson, was able to search and found out he closed the business and sold product concepts to Superior (who I think is out of business now too) which continued some of his products for a short time period even using the Grade IV logo. Not sure if mine is a Superior Grade IV or a Charlie one.
T
11/28/2015 08:19AM
Locally we had a Brick and Morter retailer, Canfields Sporting goods. Family owned from before I was alive I think. started in old downtown Omaha as a Army Surplus store (that's where Dad bought all of his gear for their honeymoon to BWCA 50+ years ago). Moved to the west end of town, got more into the finer camping gear (more like an REI). This past year the family sold it and it has a horrible cooperate feel. All the kids (employees) in each department have no clue about the products.
Very disappointing. I would stop by once a week just to browse the shelves.
Very disappointing. I would stop by once a week just to browse the shelves.
Courage is being scared to death... but saddling up anyway....John Wayne
11/30/2015 12:28AM
The Ski Hut in Berkly CA. makers of Trialwise pack frames. You can pack anything that you can fasten to that frame. I hauled loads that I needed help get saddled up with. Once strapped on and hip belt snugged up, you could pack huge, heavy loads, many miles.
"Good judgement comes from experience, and a lot of that come from bad judgement." Will Rogers
11/30/2015 08:22PM
Barton Paddles. Back when carbon bent shafts where just becoming all the rage and ironically scoffed at by many wilderness canoeist. How times have changed. I met Greg Barton in line for the port-a-potty at the start of the Des Plaines canoe marathon. It was funny that nobody around knew their was a multi gold medal Olympic athlete in their midst
12/01/2015 11:50AM
GradeIV
Great portage packs, tough as nails and will outlast anything I own and probably me too.
Headstrong
Canadian company that was an early player in the Barrel Harness business. By far the best harness I have come across, glad I own one, but hope I never have issues since the lifeitme warranty is not going to do me much good.
Great portage packs, tough as nails and will outlast anything I own and probably me too.
Headstrong
Canadian company that was an early player in the Barrel Harness business. By far the best harness I have come across, glad I own one, but hope I never have issues since the lifeitme warranty is not going to do me much good.
03/27/2016 05:19PM
I know this is an old thread but I had to chime in with Early Winters. As a teen in the early 1980's, I couldn't wait for thier newest catalog to arrive and go through it to make my "wish list." Another Washington based gear maker of the time that I did business with was The Yak Works. They had some very innovative and tough products. I also miss Indiana Camp Supply, owned by Dr. William Forgey, the author of Wilderness Medicine: Beyond First Aid. You could get a lot of backcountry medical items that you couldn't seem to find anywhere else.
03/27/2016 05:35PM
My first thought was United Stores too, bought a lot of stuff at the one on White Bear Avenue in St. Paul. Helped fuel my passion for camping and the outdoors. Also loved the EMS/Lob Pine store in Roseville(or was it Falcon Heights) and was sad when they left. Used to go occasionally to Harris Mfg. which was a military surplus store but filled with outdoors products. Not sure if they are still around, probably not.
03/27/2016 08:50PM
United Stores were great. Sorry to see them go. Harris Mfg. was in operation a couple of years ago, located in the Midway Area of St. Paul. Haven't stopped by recently. Lots of good stuff there.
Pacific Outdoor Equipment made some good stuff, canoe seat pads in particular.
Pacific Outdoor Equipment made some good stuff, canoe seat pads in particular.
03/28/2016 06:29AM
quote aholmgren: "TomT, can you post a picture of the Early Winters pack you have? "
Sorry, I never saw this (got real busy with work back then). I will dig it out of my gear box and also take a pic of the Grade IV pack I have. High quality stuff. I got the pack from Chicagoland Canoe Base from the legendary Ralph Frese.
I also have what I think is an Early Winters brass candle lantern with a leather storage sack but haven't used it in decades. I won't part with it though as it has sentimental value from my 1980's trips.
Here is a cool link Early Winters
This is really fun also The History of Gear Project
"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." --- George Bernard Shaw
03/28/2016 10:04AM
I have a heavy duty kid carrier pack made by Madden Mountaineering. It has some outrageous max weight it supports, like 70lbs of kid. My 4yo rides in it on weekend hikes when he's too tired to keep up. I think its decent training for Philmont as the pack plus his weight and whatever I'm carrying I hope is about the same weight I'll carry this summer.
I understand that Madden was bought by LaFuma which then killed the brand and let it lie dormant. Within the last couple years one of the original employees reacquired the rights to the name & logo back from LaFuma and they're producing bags again.
I understand that Madden was bought by LaFuma which then killed the brand and let it lie dormant. Within the last couple years one of the original employees reacquired the rights to the name & logo back from LaFuma and they're producing bags again.
When a man is part of his canoe, he is part of all that canoes have ever known. - Sigurd F. Olson, "The Singing Wilderness"
03/28/2016 10:05AM
quote boonie: "Moonstone - I have a Moonstone sleeping bag that was my main bag for years. It has one of the best draft collars ever designed."
Wow boonie, great memory jarring reference! Moonstone did make great sleeping bags and they had some very innovative designs. I definitely regret not having purchased one when they existed.
For me though, I miss Sawyer Canoe Company of Oscoda, Michigan. They had some great canoe designs, both solo and tandem. This was especially true when Dave Yost was designing many of their solo canoes and a few tandems during the 1980's.
Although they had some quality control issues, it wasn't their products that led to their demise. Their downfall was primarily due to a bad business deal with K-Mart and some management issues.
Wilderness Experience was another company that had some great products too. I still have and use one of their synthetic sleeping bags, a day pack, and several pieces of pile clothing that have held up well over the years.
As others have mentioned, Grade VI also had some great packs. Although I've transitioned to CCS, I still have several of their portage packs and thwart bags that I use periodically when I need a smaller or mid-size pack. (pictured below)
Hans Solo
Water reflects not only clouds and trees and cliffs, but all the infinite variations of mind and spirit we bring to it. – Sigurd Olson
03/28/2016 02:24PM
quote mr.barley: "I miss when REI, United Store and Burger Bros were all within a one block walk of each off Lyndale."
For Sure! That was our last stop before heading north. If we needed something, one of those three would have it!
03/28/2016 06:21PM
I forgot about Herters. In the late 1950's to mid-1960's, my parents and I would drive from St. Louis, MO to Nisswa, MN for two weeks at a tiny resort on Pequot Lake(s). We would always stop at the Herters store, which I believe was in Mankato or Waseca. I don't remember which. Awesome.
Also, their thick catalog of hunting, fishing, and camping things provided many, many hours of dreams and also contributed to many Christmas lists. Not many of those lists came true, but a few did. I wish I still had one of their old catalogs from the early-mid 1960's.
I also remember stopping at a Red Owl store regularly on the way,which I thought was cool, mostly because of the name and logo. I don't remember anything else about Red Owl stores though.
We also stopped at a shop in Nisswa, where I would usually get a pair of Minnetonka moccasins to replace the ones from the previous year that either wore out or didn't fit any more. Loved that town. I think there are some old photos of downtown Nisswa from the 1950's to '60's on the Minnesota Historical Society website. Looks just like I remember, including the totem pole in front of one of the stores.
It was quite an adventure for me back then when I was between 4 and 10 years old. My year was always made going up there, and I was always so bummed heading back to St. Louis down Highway 218 in Iowa, getting really bored with all the corn fields. We didn't have air conditioning in the car(s). My parents were too frugal to "waste" money on that sort of thing. Plus, it would have hurt the gas mileage, even though gas was only about $0.20 to $0.25 per gallon. German parents - go figure.
Tomster
Also, their thick catalog of hunting, fishing, and camping things provided many, many hours of dreams and also contributed to many Christmas lists. Not many of those lists came true, but a few did. I wish I still had one of their old catalogs from the early-mid 1960's.
I also remember stopping at a Red Owl store regularly on the way,which I thought was cool, mostly because of the name and logo. I don't remember anything else about Red Owl stores though.
We also stopped at a shop in Nisswa, where I would usually get a pair of Minnetonka moccasins to replace the ones from the previous year that either wore out or didn't fit any more. Loved that town. I think there are some old photos of downtown Nisswa from the 1950's to '60's on the Minnesota Historical Society website. Looks just like I remember, including the totem pole in front of one of the stores.
It was quite an adventure for me back then when I was between 4 and 10 years old. My year was always made going up there, and I was always so bummed heading back to St. Louis down Highway 218 in Iowa, getting really bored with all the corn fields. We didn't have air conditioning in the car(s). My parents were too frugal to "waste" money on that sort of thing. Plus, it would have hurt the gas mileage, even though gas was only about $0.20 to $0.25 per gallon. German parents - go figure.
Tomster
03/28/2016 07:27PM
For me it's Galyans. They were the only one near me that carried quality gear and BW maps and such. I also loved their own branded items and clothing at great prices.
Still can't let myself go into a Dick's Sporting Goods store after they bought out my Galyans and ruined them.
Still can't let myself go into a Dick's Sporting Goods store after they bought out my Galyans and ruined them.
03/28/2016 08:05PM
quote mirth: "I understand that Madden was bought by LaFuma which then killed the brand and let it lie dormant. Within the last couple years one of the original employees reacquired the rights to the name & logo back from LaFuma and they're producing bags again."
My wife and I got matching left- and right-zip down bags from LaFuma in 2002 and they have taken us many, many places. I had looked a few years ago, and couldn't find the brand anywhere. I'd buy another Lafuma bag.
"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread; places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul" -John Muir
03/28/2016 08:28PM
quote kanoes: "cool memories quark! thanks for sharing."
Thanks, Kanoes. Going off topic again - of course. The resort we stayed at on Pequot Lake(s) during the early 1950's to mid-1960's was called Ivar Lee or Iver Lee. The 5-6 cabins they had for rent were sold to individuals in the mid-1960's. The original owners of the resort were the Blomberg's. I think the wife's name was Elsie. Her hubby died around 1960 or so of emphysema (I think), and she remarried a decent WWII vet named Harry Price, who was missing a finger and was from Arizona, as I recall. Weird what you remember as a kid. They came to visit us in St. Louis in November, 1963 during the Kennedy funeral, which was all over the TV in black & white.
I've searched on Google for info to find exactly where the resort was, but no luck. I'd like to do a drive by once more before "the end" if I knew where it was.
My parents, brother and I would take the boat my dad made to Whitefish once a year during our trips to the east end of the lake and go swimming on the beach. My dad found the boat plans in Mechanics Illustrated, and just decided to go for it. It had a 25 hp Johnson engine. Loved that smell of gas and oil burning! Smelled like Minnesota to me. So did all the pine tree and cedar smells, as well as the fish cleaning house smell. My dad could make or fix just about anything. Learned a lot from him.
Caught my very first fish on Pequot. A Rock Bass, unfortunately. I was so proud though. I think my dad was smart enough to ditch it without me knowing about it.
Tomster
04/08/2016 06:10AM
quote LilyPond: "LL Bean from the days before it became a "campus" in Freeport. It used to be thrilling to go there in the old days. Now it feels like a mall."
The old Banana Republic clothing store was very cool in the 80's then changed the same way. The corporate folks had them appeal to the masses. Kinda like how fast food franchising changed our country over the years.
"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." --- George Bernard Shaw
04/08/2016 12:28PM
Herman's Sporting Goods
I really liked...
Galyan's
I noticed a while ago that Sports Authority had taken out their entire fishing & hunting section, I knew they were in trouble, on the way out.
Now we have Dick's. No Bass pro shops or Cabellas around here.
I really liked...
Galyan's
I noticed a while ago that Sports Authority had taken out their entire fishing & hunting section, I knew they were in trouble, on the way out.
Now we have Dick's. No Bass pro shops or Cabellas around here.
It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop. -Confucius
04/08/2016 01:39PM
Blue Hole Canoes....don't think they are in business anymore. They were bought out several times but I think they are gone now. Back in the 70's the OCA's were the top whitewater boats around....all Royalex.
..there is nothing- absolute nothing- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats - Wind in the Willows
04/08/2016 10:43PM
quote Longpaddler: "Blue Hole Canoes....don't think they are in business anymore. They were bought out several times but I think they are gone now. Back in the 70's the OCA's were the top whitewater boats around....all Royalex."
Buffalo canoes bought the old molds I was told years ago. They had a neat little factory in Jasper, Arkansas. With the loss of royalex, they went away. I've heard rumors that they MAY come back when T-Formex hits the market? Maybe Deucecoop has heard something about it?
"Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry." Mark Twain
04/08/2016 11:21PM
United and Herters. My dad knew a Herters Rep from back in the 60's,, still use some duck calls and and various gear he got. Bought my first tent from United by the Target on 65 and Central(eurkea denali).Quality gear before the prices caught up. Dad had a Herters snowmobile that pulled me on many tobaggon rides. Also is old Plfuger gear before it was made overseas. Still have a old Plfuger trolling rod that is used just for the kids to get their feet wet, as well as a old depth finder you used an ear piece to hear the soundings with.Herters also made a back,belt warmer that kept your kidneys warm when you hunted,ice fished.
The two loudest sounds known to man: a gun that goes bang when it is supposed to go click and a gun that goes click when it is supposed to go bang.
04/09/2016 08:58AM
quote KevinL: "Herters. Used to know every page of the big old catalog. Wish that I had one of those catalogs today. "
Yes Herters,they were I believe about the first big catalog outdoor store. Also had a store I visited In Glenwood Minnesota and a huge store I think was Herters in Mitchell South Dakota.
They faded fast.
I believe they still might make duck decoys.
04/09/2016 12:08PM
The real "Abercrombie & Fitch" multi-storied emporium in NYC. I first went there as a college freshman, wore a jacket and tie, was treated with complete respect by all the sales people who could tell I wasn't rich and wasn't going to Africa with Hemingway(he was recently dead anyway)or Ruark. I spent a whole day going from floor to floor, especially loved the Fly Fishing floor and the Griffin & Howe gun floor. Talk about everything under one roof!
04/10/2016 10:45AM
I have a KNU=Pac frame which I still use to portage my kayak on trips. Its a great way to take some of the weight of the boat off your shoulders and move it down to your waist.
For awhile, it was unusable because the plastic fork pieces that connect to the boat were broken, but about two years ago, my daughter met someone with a 3-d printer who made some new ones for me.
I know that the original owners retired and sold the business, but for some reason, the new owners never restarted.
For awhile, it was unusable because the plastic fork pieces that connect to the boat were broken, but about two years ago, my daughter met someone with a 3-d printer who made some new ones for me.
I know that the original owners retired and sold the business, but for some reason, the new owners never restarted.
There are no strangers here, only friends who haven't yet met!
04/10/2016 12:42PM
quote coastwatcher42: "Gear Junkie reported on April 7 that Eastern Mountain Sports may soon be headed or bankrutcy.
EMS Headed For Bakrptcy "
Used to work part time at an EMS in Burnsville, MN. It was located in shopping mall, which I thought was an odd place, and it did not last very long at that location. I loved EMS!
"The future ain't what it used to be" Yogi Berra
06/19/2017 09:32AM
"Guest Paddler" bringing up old threads sure makes me long for days of the now out of business "incredibly well worded repeat question" company, and their beautiful two trees logo. "I am a newbie (REI social media professional) going to the BWCA for the first time this summer (not). I want to learn all I can about (insert retreaded gear topic here). I've done quite a bit of research and I still can't sort through it all and make a decision. Thanks in advance.", etc.
06/20/2017 02:16PM
Dana Design. The Astral Plane was (is) the best backpack I've ever had. I believe the company was managed by Marmot when I got it, but now it's completely gone.
The Dana of Dana Design has started a new venture since then, I think called Mystery Ranch or somesuch, who make custom designed packs. If I were in the market for a new pack, that's where I'd go.
The Dana of Dana Design has started a new venture since then, I think called Mystery Ranch or somesuch, who make custom designed packs. If I were in the market for a new pack, that's where I'd go.
06/21/2017 09:30PM
My wife just bought a new daypack for hiking because she doesn't want to wear out her golite daypack, which she finds perfect for travel. Although, golite screwed up the design before they went out of business.
Oh and still wondering why the new owners of knupac never got it going again. But I have no worries about the parts. I pretty much bought out the remaining stock before the company sold. Glad to know they can be 3D printed, too.
Oh and still wondering why the new owners of knupac never got it going again. But I have no worries about the parts. I pretty much bought out the remaining stock before the company sold. Glad to know they can be 3D printed, too.
06/22/2017 07:19AM
quote goose down: "Eddie Bauers when it was a true outdoor store."
Oh,...that one often gets me going, about how they were outdoorsy and then Spiegel bought them and grew their volume at the expense of their identity and ruined them,... but i'll refrain this time. :)
RIP Necky Kayaks
RIP Folbot
"Enjoy every sandwich"
06/24/2017 05:19PM
I bought my first pair of canoeing pants from Early Winters in 1997; they show stains and scars from many trips, seams have been reinforced, but I can only wear them gardening now as I'm afraid the fabric will just disintegrate one day. They were the best pair of canoeing pants I've ever had.
08/14/2017 06:33PM
I'll add one more. Gander Mountain. Its still open I think but they are liquidating store content. It will come back as Gander Outdoors or Camping World, not sure. I bought a lot of gear at the store near me. I can't tell you how much I've spent over the years. I hope the new store will be as great as the old one.
"So many lakes, so little time." WWJD
08/14/2017 07:47PM
quote Savage Voyageur: "I'll add one more. Gander Mountain. Its still open I think but they are liquidating store content. It will come back as Gander Outdoors or Camping World, not sure. I bought a lot of gear at the store near me. I can't tell you how much I've spent over the years. I hope the new store will be as great as the old one. "
Gander World
08/17/2017 10:04AM
Holubars was by far my favorite. i used to hang out in the store in Boulder just for the smell of it. Their sleeping bags and parkas were top notch. They also had a DIY branch called Carikit to compete with Frostline but their sewing instructions were very difficult to follow.
08/17/2017 06:28PM
quote aholmgren: "TomT, can you post a picture of the Early Winters pack you have? "
Yes! Finally got around to this. It's been on every BW/Quetico trip of mine since 1983. It's a great little lunch sack and keeps filets away from camp cold. I also have a candle lantern with leather case from Early Winters but use headlamps now.
"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." --- George Bernard Shaw
04/08/2019 04:07PM
boonie: "Moonstone - I have a Moonstone sleeping bag that was my main bag for years. It has one of the best draft collars ever designed."
This. Bought one with a Permatex shell on ebay at a ridiculously low price ’cuz the age cohort for those who recognize the label has melted away with the years. I also have a set of GoreTex bibs from them that I’m keeping for the day I can fit into them again ...
04/08/2019 09:16PM
Clement Paddles. I have had my paddle for 40 years...Hudson Bay and back... and it is still my favorite lake paddle. It has soul. Wish they were around for me to buy my son one.
Kaplan Bros. Miss getting wool socks for cheap plus they carried great leather choppers and the mitten liners for them. Hardly anyone carries that kind of stuff anymore.
Kaplan Bros. Miss getting wool socks for cheap plus they carried great leather choppers and the mitten liners for them. Hardly anyone carries that kind of stuff anymore.
04/09/2019 12:50AM
straighthairedcurly: "Kaplan Bros. Miss getting wool socks for cheap plus they carried great leather choppers and the mitten liners for them. Hardly anyone carries that kind of stuff anymore."
Yep, almost cried when they closed. As noted in the original posts United Stores, old Holiday stores, Burger Brothers, and Eastern Mount Sports were all good. Mostly miss united.
04/09/2019 09:18AM
Sawyer Canoes. Would never have sold my Autumn Mist had I not planned to replace it with a kevlar model. Loved that boat. But white with gray interior and 'glass was not to my liking. But, they went out of business....again before the purchase. Sigh...
"Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry." Mark Twain
04/14/2019 06:17AM
Rs130754: "Oberlin bait canteen. Internet pic but I picked up two new ones last year at a garage sale for a buck each. They keep worms alive for a long time.
"
There's a memory for me. We would pick crawlers in the yard by flashlight the night before a trip. That was a lot of fun if you got the big ones.
"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." --- George Bernard Shaw
04/14/2019 07:42AM
straighthairedcurly: "Clement Paddles
"
+1 on the Clements paddles. I've had mine 35 years or more. I think I got the last 2 for sale in this area. I found one at an outfitter in Buxton ME that was going out of business, and another in the attic of a paddling shop in North Conway NH. I've got the 10" wide paddles. My buddies call them pizza paddles. I think the varnish on them weighs more than their carbon fiber paddles, but I love them
04/14/2019 08:43AM
Laacke & Joy in the Milwaukee area. They were a Milwaukee institution for 170 years. They were down to one store at the end and it finally closed in January. Not a fishing store, but were good for camping, canoe/kayaking, skiing, clothing. Made their own canvas tents. My first camping experiences were in a popup camper my parents rented from Laacke back in the 1950's. Sad to see them go.
04/16/2019 09:17PM
Orikaso- folding plastic bowl. It’s like origami that weighs next to nothing, can be used as a bowl or plate-like surface, and fits really well in a pack. I didn’t realize how much I liked these until I found out they were out of business when I tried to buy one for a gift. There is something similar that has replaced it now, but I haven’t tried it.
Cabela’s is on the watch list. I bought some fly tying materials at the Cabela’s in Rogers last week, and the Cabela’s branded gear is being phased out. I had a love-hate relationship with Cabela’s, but I definitely liked it better than Bass Pro Shop, which purchased Cabelas. I’ve heard that the Owatonna Cabela’s will soon be turned into the the equivalent of one large Bargain Cave. Cabela’s was already too corporate, but BPS is pushing it to another level.
Cabela’s is on the watch list. I bought some fly tying materials at the Cabela’s in Rogers last week, and the Cabela’s branded gear is being phased out. I had a love-hate relationship with Cabela’s, but I definitely liked it better than Bass Pro Shop, which purchased Cabelas. I’ve heard that the Owatonna Cabela’s will soon be turned into the the equivalent of one large Bargain Cave. Cabela’s was already too corporate, but BPS is pushing it to another level.
04/22/2019 08:54PM
This thread got me searching for some kind of history about my first 4 season tent.
Found this instead. For all us gear junkies:
Retro Gear Photos
I have already found much of the gear I grew up with. Enjoy!
Found this instead. For all us gear junkies:
Retro Gear Photos
I have already found much of the gear I grew up with. Enjoy!
Want to make God laugh? Tell him your plans...
04/22/2019 09:11PM
kanoes: "ill name an old brick and mortar retailer....united stores.plus a hair cut.
3 more. I also miss the old holiday stores, burger brothers, and eastern mount sports.
at the old holiday stores you could buy a gallon of milk, a loaf of bread, a dozen eggs, rapalas, trilene, jigs, Remington guns, shotgun shells, PSE bows, Easton arrows, a dozen pintail decoys, decoy line and anchors, 10-32 screws and nuts, etc. all under one roof."
04/23/2019 06:43AM
gkimball: "This thread got me searching for some kind of history about my first 4 season tent.
Found this instead. For all us gear junkies:
Retro Gear Photos
I have already found much of the gear I grew up with. Enjoy!"
Nice! The Mitchell 308 reel was my standby in the 70's and 80's. I paired it with the 300 reel and that was my 2 rod combo. I used Fenwick rods.
"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." --- George Bernard Shaw
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