Connecticut-based specialty outdoor retailer Trailblazer is preparing  three new stores to serve the New Haven community.


Denali, the first of the three to open, will feature products from The North Face and Merrell exclusively. The location at 13 Broadway, between Origins and Gourmet Heaven, opened it’s doors on March 14th.


“Denali will continue the Trailblazer tradition of providing a unique service-oriented shopping experience that cannot be delivered in a chain or “big box” store,” according to a release distributed by The Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, a marketing coalition representing 34 specialty outdoor retailers. 

Trailblazer will move from its current location at 994 Chapel St. and will reopen later this spring at its original location at 296 Elm Street. The store will continue to focus on its outdoor sport, camping, running and climbing roots with an emphasis on such vendors as Patagonia, Mountain Hardwear, Marmot, & Keen.


TRAFFIC is the final addition to the Trailblazer family and is scheduled to open in late spring. Located at 23 Broadway next to Cutler’s, TRAFFIC will be a store committed to the Surf, Skate and Snowboarding lifestyle. Featuring skateboards, snowboards and surf boards as well as clothing and footwear from Burton, Billabong, Roxy, Element, DC, Volcom and others, TRAFFIC will be a one of a kind New Haven location.


“We are looking forward to being a part of the Broadway District again and to having the opportunity to open several new stores that will complement the retail shops that are already there,” said Chris Howe partner in Trailblazer, LLC. “We thank our customers for their support over the past thirteen years and hope everyone agrees that once our expansion is complete, New Haven and our customers will be better served by the combined offerings of Trailblazer, Denali and TRAFFIC.”


Trailblazer was honored in 2007 as one of the Top 25 Retailers in the United States by Outdoor Business magazine. These award-winning retailers are recognized for their contributions to the outdoor industry, having a solid business platform and being connected to the communities in which they operate.