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TomT
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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.
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KerryG
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Ostrom Outdoors. Without a doubt the finest, most rugged and best designed portage packs ever made. In the 50 years I've been paddling I've never come across anything better. Cooke's Custom is probably the closest.
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NotLight
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"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.
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goose down
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Eddie Bauers when it was a true outdoor store.
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straighthairedcurly
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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.
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deepdish71
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Ely wall tent supply
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jhb8426
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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.
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coastwatcher42
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Gear Junkie reported on April 7 that Eastern Mountain Sports may soon be headed or bankrutcy.
EMS Headed For Bakrptcy
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TomT
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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.
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Longpaddler
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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.
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LilyPond
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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.
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Solobob1
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Turtle paddle works
Chestnut canoe company
Bob
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browndog16
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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." plus a hair cut.
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The pharmacy with the dinning counter in Grand Marais
Moss Tents
Madden Mountaineering (back packs, Boulder Co)
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Pinetree
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I miss the little Ma andPa stores that cater to the Outdoors and know you personally and cater to you with interests like you have.
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RobKesselring1
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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.
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Pinetree
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Herders while growing up in Glenwood Minnesota
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BuckFlicks
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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.
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Blatz
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Barton Paddles, Canoesport Journal
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s500yards
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I have a 20° down quilt made by Go-lite. Only piece of their gear I own but love it. Shame they kicked the bucket
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bassnet
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DMT Katchkey.... it's a key, like a house key, that is diamond dust impregnated....best hook sharpener I have ever used. I bought 7 or 8 about 20 years ago, I have one new one left.
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andym
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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.
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muddyfeet
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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.
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quark2222
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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
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quark2222
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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
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kanoes
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cool memories quark! thanks for sharing.
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thefourofus
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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.
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mr.barley
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I miss when REI, United Store and Burger Bros were all within a one block walk of each off Lyndale.
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Abbey
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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.
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oldguide2
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One name: Gerry as in Gerry Cunningham. He virtually invented backpacking, light gear camping.
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gkimball
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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!
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TomT
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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.
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gravelroad
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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 ...
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Gunflint
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Camp Trails canoe packs (Outfitter)
Quetico Superior Canoe Country Packs
 
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Rs130754
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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.
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TomT
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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.
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RTurner
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straighthairedcurly: "Clement Paddles
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+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
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JonSolo
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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.
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MReid
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For those on memory lane, here's a neat link showing many of the older gear companies Alphabetized listing of old gear companies
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overthehill
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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.
"
I am a big fan of these. I collect every one I run across.
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BigCurrent
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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.
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TomT
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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.
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ozarkpaddler
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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.
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"
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!
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timatkn
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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
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old_salt
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Northwoods Outfitters in Med City.
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Savage Voyageur
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I would say Lob Pine, Frostline, Burger Brothers, EMS is still in business out east, but I still miss them here.
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aholmgren
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TomT, can you post a picture of the Early Winters pack you have?
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KevinL
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Herters. Used to know every page of the big old catalog. Wish that I had one of those catalogs today.
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pswith5
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United stores was my first thought also!
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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.
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timatkn
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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
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brotherbob1958
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We had an Outdoorsman warehouse. That was were I bought all my original backpacking equipment. Now a days, I have a Scheels, Gander Mountain, or drive 45 minutes for Cabela's, or drive an hour & half for an REI
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dprochef
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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.
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Moonpath
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Moss tents.
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schells
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Frost line kits
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Frenchy19
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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!
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Chicagored
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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.
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sunnybear09
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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!
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Swampturtle
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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.
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ozarkpaddler
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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?
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Pinetree
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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.
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WhiteWolf
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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.
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Hawbakers
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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!
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Ragged
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I would love to buy a Pat Moore carbon Cue, so I do wish he was still in the business of making paddles
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coastwatcher42
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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.
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lindylair
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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.
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overthehill
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Moss tents
Walrus
Herters
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jhb8426
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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.
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Hawbakers
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quote DanCooke: "Harris was closed and the Building burned recently."
No! I hadn't heard that. Damn! I went there to buy replacement zippers for a tent once.
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Blatz
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Sawyer Canoes
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nctry
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Holubar dog pack. I believe I bought my old town canoe at the holubar store in edina.
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mirth
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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.
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HansSolo
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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
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DanCooke
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Harris was closed and the Building burned recently.
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TomT
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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
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DanCooke
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Snow Lion, decent stuff
8000 mile supply chain and missed deliveries killed it quick.
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Savage Voyageur
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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.
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Pinetree
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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
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SOVOS
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SAWVIVOR
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troutdude
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Moss tents!!! I have a Triton tent, Hepta Wing and an Outfitter Wing. All three have made numerous BWCA trips. Unfortunately, the Triton needs some zipper and pole repair. :-(
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QuietWaters
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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.
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Captn Tony
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Galyans great store, Dicks not so much!
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nctry
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The old Dry Box... fit nice in the alumicrafts I had a pain to portage very far and did make into a table at camp.
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sedges
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Clement Aviron, The Canadian wood paddle company. I still have 3 of their paddles. I have a lot of really fine wood paddles, but when I need a straight shaft I find myself reaching for the old Clement.
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Moonpath
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Chicago canoe Base, Chicago. A great resource, Ralph Freese.
Laacke and Joy's Milwaukee.
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fsupp
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Walrus, dear sweet Walrus. My Warp II tent just turned 18, but, like many 18-year olds, it's not moving away from home any time soon.
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Tomcat
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Sling-Light backpacking chair.
Sling-Light chair
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ozarkpaddler
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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...
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ParkerMag
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+~25 on Herters
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Ole496
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- Johnson Outboard motors
- Herters
- Coleman gear when Coleman was still Coleman
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boonie
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Moonstone - I have a Moonstone sleeping bag that was my main bag for years. It has one of the best draft collars ever designed.
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kanoes
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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.
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butthead
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2 Greats listed,
Holliday and Herters
Will add,
Walrus, Early Winters
butthead
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ObiWenonahKenobi
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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.
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Scout64
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I will go with United Stores as well and add Lob Pine.
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yellowcanoe
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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.
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BorealBarney
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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.
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quark2222
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Went to the Gokey's store in St. Paul in 1974 or 1975. It was awesome.
Tomster
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Blatz
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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
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HowardSprague
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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
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