Featured Retailer
Casual Adventure — "We can outfit YOU from Great Falls to Nepal."
Originally founded as a small grocery storefront by Oscar Stern in 1945, Casual Adventure (C.A.) has grown into one of the leading outdoor shops in the Washington Metro area. Currently owned by Oscar's grandson, Neil Stern, C.A. continues to build on its strong retail tradition of customer service, premier outdoor brands and a unique merchandise mix few stores its size can duplicate.
Very few independent specialty shops can say they have weathered the retail and economic storms for 65 years, and come out on top, which is why SOLE has selected Casual Adventure as our Featured Retailer. In an effort shed some light and share some wisdom on their success, SOLE interviewed Eric Stern with C.A.
WHAT TYPE OF RETAILER ARE YOU?
Casual Adventure is an outdoor specialty retailer, catering to a variety of enthusiasts--from Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and family campers to world travellers and elite athletes.
WHEN DID THE TRANSITION FROM GROCER TO OUTDOOR GEAR TAKE PLACE?
1955. From then until 1985 Casual Adventure was known as The Surplus Center with its shelves stocked with military fatigues, field jackets, canteens, and other GI merchandise. As the marketplace changed the company reinvented itself changing its name from Surplus Center to Casual Adventure in 1985.
WHAT IS THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND CASUAL RETAILER?
As Dave (our general manager) says, we’re like “Cheers” but without the beer. The basic premise being, that when someone comes into our store, we are here to listen to them, engage them in interesting conversation, make recommendations based on their needs, and get to know them (if not by name, then by their activities, personalities, and interests).
WHAT SOLE PRODUCTS DO YOU CARRY?
As an outdoor specialty store, we try to focus on products that would appeal to our core customers. The bulk of our inventory includes a full range of sizes in the signature series, thin sport, and thin casual. Both the EV Ultra and the DK Response are of great appeal due to their name recognition and corresponding charities. The thin sports appeal to the many cyclists, soccer players (especially little league and school teams), and ice skaters in the area, moreover now that the Washington Capitals (NHL) practice facility is only blocks away. Our casual shoe line is growing with an excellent selection of Blundstones, Patagonia Footwear, Keen, Rockport and Dankso. Many of these lines are complimented with the more subdued aesthetic of the thin casuals. As added selection, we have also added, the SoftTec series, and over the summer the Platinum Sandals for those who want the support of the insoles without wearing shoes. In addition to our in-store product selection, we always offer to special order any SOLE product not currently on our shelves.
WHAT DOES IT'S YOUR SOLE MEAN TO YOU?
Life is what you make of it--the more effort you put in, the more you get out. Take care of yourself, your planet, and those that live here with you. You are only given one set of feet to walk this Earth, so treat them better than any other mode of transportation. You are your own automobile!
ADVICE TO LIVE BY
Life is all about people.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SOLID TESTIMONIALS FROM CUSTOMERS?
"This place is awesome. They had a great selection of merchandise, but the service made the entire experience worthwhile. We got great, honest advice and no one tried to sell us "up." Before leaving, the salesman gave us some helpful tips about the area we planned to camp in and the weather for the weekend. They also threw in some free gear and handed us rootbeer on the way out. Prices were pretty close to an REI-type store, but as far as I'm concerned the expertise and friendliness made up for the difference. Also, I feel better shopping at a true local store like this."
"This store always comes through for me. not only did they NOT try to talk me into buying the most expensive jacket, but they helped me find the best quality and style jacket for my needs and special ordered one that would fit me the best. Same goes for shoes, backpacks, etc... basically, they've also helped me buy all the right travel gear for every major trip I've been on, and made sure i got exactly what i needed or was looking for."
