Black Diamond Equipment has partnered with the Denver, CO-based Wilderness Exchange, an outdoor specialty store, to renovate, rebrand and re-open the Wilderness Exchange store as the newly branded Black Diamond Wilderness Exchange.
The store will host a grand reopening from February 8-16, 2025.
The store’s 3,700-square-foot main floor received a complete renovation to primarily house a Black Diamond specialty shop. The store’s renovation has been ongoing since October 2024, during which BDE reportedly invested in much of the related costs.
“Located in the heart of Denver, the newly rebranded store maintains its independent spirit while benefiting from a new partnership model that supports independent retail,” the company said in a media release. “Black Diamond Wilderness Exchange will continue to serve as a hub for outdoor enthusiasts in the Front Range by offering weekly and monthly events, educational programs and partnerships with local organizations.”
Black Diamond said the store’s renovation “merges Black Diamond’s innovative designs with Wilderness Exchange’s community-driven mission to make outdoor activities more affordable and accessible across the board.”
“The Black Diamond Wilderness Exchange store represents a novel approach to supporting independent retail while growing our brand in one of the premiere outdoor activity markets in the U.S.,” explained Neil Fiske, president of Black Diamond Equipment. “We’re working together to elevate everything that the outdoor enthusiasts of Denver knew and loved about the original Wilderness Exchange: premium gear, expert advice, and a thriving outdoor community.”
Black Diamond said the “reimagined store” will carry a full selection of BD gear and apparel catering to climbers, skiers, trail runners, and hikers; however, customers will also find a selection of products from complementary brands, including La Sportiva, Tenaya, Smith, Atomic, Tecnica, Western Mountaineering, Topo, BCA, ATK, Mammut, Petzl, and SmartWool.
One of the store’s original features, a 2,500-square-foot consignment and used gear section, remains a key feature of the new co-branded store, paying homage to Wilderness Exchange’s 25-year history. The downstairs space will continue selling second-hand outdoor gear supporting circularity and access.
“Our partnership with Black Diamond allows us to continue our longstanding mission of making the outdoors more accessible and affordable to the local outdoor community in Downtown Denver,” offered Don Bushey, owner and founder of the Wilderness Exchange. “The new store combines the best of Wilderness Exchange’s legacy with the ability to provide our customers with an immersive brand experience and a world-class mountain shop where they can find the best outdoor equipment available for their adventures.”
Image courtesy Black Diamond Wilderness Exchange
***
See below for additional SGB Media coverage on this conversation.
Black Diamond to Launch Partner-Run Mountain Shop with Wilderness Exchange
