Gearhead Outfitters, an Arkansas-based outdoor specialty retailer, has announced the acquisition of Rock/Creek Outfitters in Tennessee and Uncle Dan’s Outdoor Store in Illinois from Camping World Holdings Inc. Financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.
Camping World had acquired Uncle Dan’s in 2017, and then bought Rock/Creek Outfitters last April, which it operated under the Uncle Dan’s subsidiary.
Gearhead Outfitters currently operates 10 brick-and-mortar retail locations across the Mid-South.
“We are passionate about brick-and-mortar retail, the outdoor industry, our communities and our mission,” said Ted Herget, owner and founder of Gearhead Outfitters. “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. Our highest priority is to maintain the integrity of these companies, the brands we carry, and to expand the influence of the outdoor industry.”
The acquisition by Gearhead Outfitters will include Rock/Creek’s seven retail locations in Tennessee, along with six Uncle Dan’s locations—five in the Chicagoland area; Lincoln Square, Bannockburn, Evanston, Highland Park and Lakeview, and one Wisconsin location, Glendale. Also included is the e-commerce presence of both companies.
“We are very excited to transition to the Gearhead family,” said Olivia Beaty, e-commerce director for Uncle Dan’s. “This move will enable us to better serve our customers to get outside and do what they love. We’re looking forward to where this partnership will take us, and to be able to build something on the web as special as we have in brick-and-mortar.”
With more than a century of specialty retail experience among them, the three outfitters share remarkably similar core values, and are committed to being a resource for customers seeking quality equipment, authentic advice and a dedicated community partner. To that end, Gearhead, Rock/Creek and Uncle Dan’s have each spent decades using brick and mortar and online retail as a platform to support local nonprofits, improve outdoor access and positively impact their communities.
“Rock/Creek has served the Southeast for over 30 years,” said Rock/Creek president Chad Wykle. “We’re incredibly proud of the impact we’ve made in our community with our local partners to improve outdoor access and protect our beautiful greenspaces. Gearhead has been doing the same good work for the Mid-South for many years. Together, we will continue to strengthen and develop outdoor specialty retail. We know our heritage will continue with this acquisition, and are confident our customers will welcome the return to a privately owned brand.”
Photo courtesy Gearhead Outfitters
