Camping World is selling Rock/Creek Outfitters and Uncle Dan’s Outdoor Store to Gearhead Outfitters for an unspecified price.
This story by Dalton Barker originally appeared in Crain’s Chicago Business.
Gearhead Outfitters, an Arkansas-based outdoor retailer, announced the acquisition of the two companies, which have brick-and-mortar stores in Tennessee and Illinois.
Camping World grabbed some bankrupt Gander Mountain stores along with Erehwon Mountain Outfitter, Uncle Dan’s Outdoor and Rock/Creek Outfitters between 2017 and 2018.
Uncle Dan’s was founded in 1972 by Brent and Mark Weiss and began as a single spot called Uncle Dan’s Army-Navy store at Bryn Mawr and Kimball avenues in the North Park neighborhood. There are currently five Chicago-area locations in Lincoln Square, Bannockburn, Evanston, Highland Park and Lakeview.
At the time of the acquisition, Camping World argued the purchase would expand and strengthen the company’s efforts in the broader outdoor lifestyle market.
Rock/Creek Outfitters operates seven retail locations in Tennessee, giving Gearhead Outfitters a stronger foothold in the Appalachia region.
“The opportunity to acquire Rock/Creek and Uncle Dan’s has provided a unique opportunity for all three brands to align under those values as a family of outdoor specialty retailers,” Ted Herget, owner and founder of Gearhead Outfitters, said in a company statement. “Our highest priority is to maintain the integrity of these companies, the brands we carry, and to expand the influence of the outdoor industry.”
