Displaying items by tag: bearden shops

Alejandro and Michelle Guanaga opened Outdoor Gear Revival on Kingston Pike in Knoxville right before the 2020 Pandemic. Outdoor Gear Revival

Outdoor Gear Revival rose from the Pandemic to bring affordable gear to the people

KNOXVILLE — “We had a grandmother come in one time and said, ‘I want to take my grandson camping, but I don't have all the lightweight gear,’” Alejandro Guanaga said. “Your grandson doesn't care if you're carrying a 50-pound tent. He wants to go out with grandma.”

For Alejandro and his wife, Michelle, their business provides exactly that opportunity to people of all income levels in and around Knoxville. The couple owns and operates Outdoor Gear Revival (OGR), 5710 Kingston Pike, a consignment store in Bearden reselling used outdoor gear and apparel. They opened the shop in February 2020, at the beginning of the COVID lockdown. Like other non-essential businesses, they were required to close in March.

“When we were allowed to open again in May, we came back and it was phenomenal because the stimulus checks helped a lot,” Guanaga said. “Everybody wanted to go outdoors because so much was closed. It really jump-started our business.”

Those foundational connections that the Guanagas made in the early days of their business built a community encompassing multiple generations. Some of their summer staff were among their earliest customers as kids. Families who started camping with small children six years ago have started backpacking, moving from one pastime to the next with gear from OGR.

“You’re able to help people and get them outdoors. Our philosophy has always been… that to protect the outdoors, you have to love it,” Guanaga said. “The more people we get to be passionate about the outdoors, the more we can help protect it… We believe that stores like ours help keep that passion alive.”