Rock/Creek once again made the list of the Top 25 Outdoor Retailer by SGB & Outdoor Business Magazine. This marks our third year in a row on the list.

The honor recognizes our unique position in the outdoor industry. The featured retailers are said to "have not only managed to weather the economic storm, but have also discovered the importance of the connection with the local markets. These retailers intimately understand their customers and creatively cater to fulfill their needs, wants and aspirations."

Rock/Creek's mission allows us to extend to our community and local organizations through fun experiences such as our 2009 Mountain Hardwear Ladies Night and the Rock/Creek Trail Series; more specifically the Rock/Creek StumpJump 50k in October.

Rock/Creek would not be where it is today if it were not for the vision of it's co-owners Dawson Wheeler and Marvin Webb, along with our amazing Storefront Employees, Marketing Department, Customer Service team, Internet Managers and Warehouse staff! Congratulations to everyone involved!

To read the 2010 SGB Top 25 Outdoor Retailer article [download a PDF copy]

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Raleigh, NC, January 28, 2010 – SNEWS and Backpacker honored Great Outdoor Provision Co. as the recipient of the 2010 Retailer of the Year Award for Conservation, a recognition given annually to the outdoor retailer who embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship and who serves as visionary for the outdoor market in the area of conservation.

SNEWS President Michael Hodgson and Backpacker Editor In Chief Jonathan Dorn presented the award on Thursday, January 21, the first day of the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in Salt Lake City.

“With sales of active outdoor recreation gear and accessories on the rise, specialty outdoor retailers are playing a significant and influential role in the growth and development of our outdoor community, “says Michael Hodgson, president of SNEWS.  “We’re happy to honor their efforts, not only on the retail level, but in the way they are making the outdoors more accessible to consumers.”

“We’re flattered and, quite frankly, stunned to be considered on a par with the other specialty outdoor retailers considered for this award,” said Tom Valone, founder and president of GOPC. “All the credit for earning this honor goes to our customers who are passionate about the outdoors and enthusiastic about supporting our outreach efforts to help the environment.”

The Second Annual Retailer of the Year Award for Conservation was carefully selected through a rigorous judging process that first began in July of 2009 with a call for nominations seeking the best outdoor retailers in the United States. Over 100 stores across the country received nominations. ? After reviewing all nominations, a slate of finalists—determined by a first round of voting by SNEWS and Backpacker editors—was then presented to a panel of judges who evaluated each store based on personal and customer experience, reputation in the outdoor community, quality of customer feedback from the nomination forms received, and overall store excellence based on demonstrated excellence in community involvement, sustainability efforts, store training levels and more.

About Great Outdoor Provision Co.
Founded in 1972 the Great Outdoor Provision Co. now has seven stores in seven North Carolina cities. The store sells clothing and equipment for outdoor enthusiasts, including those who enjoy hiking, backpacking, paddling, rock climbing and fly fishing. It also carries sportswear and shoes. Great Outdoor Provision Co. supports environmental, youth and human-services organizations in the communities in which it operates. For more information, go to greatoutdoorprovision.com/culture/wesupport.

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is proud to announce  a vendor partnership with Eagle Creek Travel Gear.   

With it’s long history in the industry and new leadership, Eagle Creek is a welcome addition to our group. We are excited to be working with Michael Millenacker and his team at Eagle Creek. Their devotion to outdoor specialty retail is clearly evident by their commitment to the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance. Eagle Creek will compliment our commitment to bringing quality products to our neighborhoods.

Eagle Creek was founded in 1975, and is credited with inventing the adventure travel gear category by introducing the industry’s first convertible backpack on wheels, and is revolutionizing the way travelers pack with its PackIt  folders, cubes, sacs and toiletry kit organizing system.

2010 SNEWS® / Backpacker Retailer of the Year awards were presented at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market during an after-show gathering at the Red Door on Jan. 21. Rod Johnson, president of Midwest Mountaineering, in Minneapolis, Minn., was all smiles as he accepted the award for the overall 2010 Retailer of the Year (see image to right — picture left to right are Michael Hodgson, president of SNEWS, Jon Dorn, editor in chief of Backpacker, and Rod Johnson). Johnson and his team also garnered a best-in-class award for community involvement.

This is the second year in a row Midwest Mountaineering has been honored with a Retailer of the Year (ROTY) award. Last year, the store took top honors for encouraging the growth of outdoor sports. This year, as overall winner, Johnson wins an all-expense paid trip to Munich, Germany, sponsored by the ispo trade show, to attend the ispo winter show Feb. 7-10, 2010.

Five other stores were recognized for being best-in-class in each of the following categories:

•     Sustainable business: Dynamic Earth Equipment Company – Springfield, MO
•     Conservation: Great Outdoor Provision Co. – Raleigh, NC
•     Youth involvement: Rutabaga Paddlesports – Madison, WI 
•     Growth of outdoor sports: Appalachian Outdoors – State College, PA
•     Online: Backcountry.com – Salt Lake City, Utah

SNEWS and Backpacker magazine congratulate all of these winners, and all of those nominated. Nine other stores — Backwoods, Campbound.com, Half Moon Outfitters (winner of the 2009 best-in-class award for sustainable business), Mountain Gear, Nantahala Outdoor Center, REI, Pack & Paddle, The Trailhead, and Rock/Creek (winner of the 2009 best-in-class award for online business) made the final 15 in the rounds of judging and will, along with the six award winners, be honored with feature stories over the next few months in SNEWS.

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance Welcomes Peregrine Outfitters as a Vendor Partner

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is proud to announce  another new vendor partner, Peregrine Outfitters.   

Peregrine Outfitters is a wholesale distributor supplying outdoor retailers worldwide with over 6000 outdoor accessories, equipment and books. Peregrine stocks products from hundreds of manufacturers and publishers to make business easier and more profitable. Peregrine is consistently rated as one of the top vendors to do business with by industry surveys. Since providing excellent products service is a foundation of the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, Peregrine Outfitters is a welcome addition to our list of vendor partners.

Visit Peregrine Outfitters at the Winter Outdoor Retailer Show at Booth #32031.

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance now boasts 33 members, 73 stores, 52 vendors, and 5 consultant service providers.