If you have avid campers, travelers and outdoorsmen in your close circle of family and friends, don't be surprised to see the Christmas wish list coming out quite a bit early this year thanks to a dynamic new store that has opened this week in downtown St. Joseph. Wanderlust Outfitters is now open for business.
I told you back in mid-July that Jonathon & Brittney Meier were bringing to the market an amazing compendium of outdoor gear and clothing in a first-class retail shop in the central business district, and they have more than delivered on that promise with a shop that looks like it has been plopped down from a major city anywhere in the nation. The shop opened quietly last week and conducted their formal ribbon cutting in ceremonies Thursday evening with the crew from Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce.
As I reported in that earlier story, which you can read by clicking the link below, Wanderlust has a commitment to "Make every day an adventure." The very name is defined as "a strong desire to travel and explore the world."
The new specialty store is located in the historic Peoples State Bank Building on the northern end of the shopping district at 120 State Street in St. Joe.
The colorful new store features apparel and gear, with the state hope to service not only experienced outdoorspeople, but also provide a retail environment that appeals to anyone with an “outdoorsy” spirit.
Traditional outdoor outfitters are geared towards seasoned outdoorsman and backcountry athletes…leaving an under-served segment of “weekend warriors” and “everyday outdoorsmen.” Those individuals are day hikers, weekend campers, and the like. They also wear outdoor brands in everyday applications and may not feel comfortable purchasing through a traditional outfitter. Or, they may not have the time to research outdoor gear/apparel on their own. That's why Wanderlust Outfitters expects to attract a broad audience.
The new shop carries brands like Marmot, pRana, Kuhl, Osprey, ENO, MSR, Thermarest, Black Diamond, Point 6, Klean Kanteen, Camelbak, Salewa, Columbia, & more. It’s their aim to be both knowledgeable and approachable while sharing their passion for the outdoors.
As they cut the ribbon last evening, Jonathon & Brittney told a nice crowd of onlookers that “From the local trails at Sarrett Nature Center, to the AT, to the Kalalau Trail on Kauai, we haven't found a trail that we're not willing to explore! And, we can’t wait to encourage others to get out and do the same! We're excited to add some new to the mix of shops here in downtown St. Joseph, and we're looking forward to the opportunity to serve both our local customers and seasonal customers!”
Look for them in the house Monday through Thursday from 10am until 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 9am until 9pm and from noon until 5pm on Sundays. Those hours may be adjusted seasonally.
