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Sierra Adventure store to close after four years in Downtown Lodi
In a little more than a month, School Street will have another retail vacancy to fill. Sierra Adventure Outfitters, a specialty store that sells everything from mountain bikes to hand warmers, is closing for good Dec. 24.
"It's going to leave a big hole," owner Mary Dils said of the 5,500 square foot store.
For the last four years, the outdoor shop has served the community and offered kayaking trips through Sunset Paddles. In a press release, Dils said the Sunset Paddles trips will still be offered in spring 2010. The Lodi Paddle Club will continue to support its members as well.
Dils cited the slumping economy and difficulty acquiring credit as reasons for the closure. Counting Dils, the store employs four people.
Located at 120 N. School St., Sierra Adventure Outfitters has been in that location since its move from Pine Street two years ago.
The store rents kayaks and canoes, and sells outdoor equipment and attire. Dils said the rental boats have been sold off already.
It will be starting its liquidation sale shortly.
She said specific details regarding the liquidation sale would come later. All sales at the store are final, according to the press release.
Dils said she was looking forward to having more time to participate in her favorite outdoor activities in the wake of the store's closure.
She said she missed having the opportunities to go kayaking and backpacking as much as she'd like to.
The owner was gracious to the community she served as she announced the closure.
"Downtown Lodi has been a wonderful location for our business," Dils said in the press release. "It provided us an atmosphere that allowed us to be unique and special."
Contact reporter Jordan Guinn at jordang@lodinews.com
Sierra Adventure Outfitters at a glance
Location: 120 N. School St.Contact: 368-3461.
Web site: www.sierraadventureoutfitters.com
Last day of operation: Dec. 24.
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Reader Feedback
Rhodie wrote on Nov 23, 2009 11:29 PM:
Just one small problem with something you said. The customer is NOT always right. The customer IS always important though. I have way too many years in customer services to believe the customer is always right and dealt with way too many customers that think just because they demand it then they should have it. From the 7-11 graveyard shifts with drunks saying it was illegal for me to NOT sell them beer to the bulk food buyers who thought they could dictate prices I've dealt with just about every kind of person out there (even many at Walmart as a graveyard stocker). I believe my strongest suit and the reason I succeeded in sales was because I knew the difference between the customer being right vs being important. You can tell a drunk "no" when they want to buy beer and still make them feel important even though they are wrong. You can defuse just about any irritate customer as long as you make them feel important, even when they are wrong. "
Brian wrote on Nov 23, 2009 8:38 PM:
" Why the problem with Brian? Isn't he entitled to post what he wants as long as he's civil and abides by the rules? Talk about petty. "
-Indeed.
Have a good one Jerome. :) "
Brian wrote on Nov 23, 2009 8:36 PM:
" Brian: By the way... why are you here defending Jerome Kinderman's comments? You do that a lot. "
-I'm entitled to my opinion that his comments aren't as you portray them.
It is my right to point out the revelance of his comments. It's sad that your dogma won't even allow you to
find a way to agree with him. "
Jerome R. Kinderman wrote on Nov 23, 2009 8:33 PM:
Jerome R. Kinderman wrote on Nov 23, 2009 8:31 PM:
One thing that makes no difference whether or not a business is big or small is if the customer is able to purchase what they want or need at a reasonable price. Especially as this economy continues to founder and the holidays draw near, people will be looking for the best deals. Small specialty stores might find themselves on the short end if they can't compete with the big boys. And the big boys had better be able to compete with online shopping as well. There's a lot to be saved through cyber shopping. "
Jerome R. Kinderman wrote on Nov 23, 2009 8:19 PM:
Look, businesses fail and businesses succeed. There are a number of reasons why these things happen. Having owned a business of my own for a very short time in Lakewood Mall, I know too well what failure feels like. But I don't blame anyone or anything other than myself for the demise of that business. I could have pointed a finger at a number of real possibilities-but the nature of capitalism dictates that there will be winners and losers. I lost–so what! I moved on.
My comment about Wal-Mart, while not aimed at the owners of Sierra Adventure Outfitters, certainly was aimed at those who for whatever reason feel as if larger enterprises are nearly wholly responsible for others' failures. Just as contributing on this forum, folks who attempt to run a small business must develop thick skin-not moan and whine when things don't go their way, just as these folks don't appear to be doing. "
Lodian wrote on Nov 23, 2009 12:40 PM:
Lodian wrote on Nov 23, 2009 12:38 PM:
Stop visualizing me, Brian. It's weird. "
Lodian wrote on Nov 23, 2009 12:37 PM:
Why would you want to fine small businesses? "
Lodian wrote on Nov 23, 2009 12:36 PM:
What "offensive demeanor"? "
Brian wrote on Nov 22, 2009 6:36 PM:
Brian wrote on Nov 22, 2009 6:32 PM:
I doubt Wal-Mart carries many of those items and has knowledge of the staff.
Look at how long the House of Clocks has survived. Now, they have specialty items and a staff who is gifted with the lost art of clock repair. "
Brian wrote on Nov 22, 2009 6:12 PM:
It is just like you and Jerome to twist the knife.
-I will pray for Lodian that she recognizes her offensive demeanor before she barks up the wrong tree. "
Brian wrote on Nov 22, 2009 6:08 PM:
" Brian: It was an obvious jab. And it was inappropriate as these people are losing their business. Jerome obviously supports Walmart, not small business. It is just like you and Jerome to twist the knife. "
-I now visualize Lodian standing in front of the mirror giving herself a high five and feeling good about her bold face lies about me and Jerome.
However, I don't know if it's such a bad thing to support Wal-Mart. Their tried true strategies in marketing
are just the ultimate example how anyone can fine tune their business
that leaves the others in the dust.
Don't get me wrong. I have many issues
with the practises of Wal-Mart. But you can't deny their innovations in peddling their products. "
Mrs. M wrote on Nov 22, 2009 3:49 PM:
Lodian wrote on Nov 22, 2009 1:39 PM:
Brian wrote on Nov 21, 2009 9:26 PM:
Never mind the ones who are actually good at it. "
Lodian wrote on Nov 20, 2009 9:15 AM:
Brian wrote on Nov 20, 2009 4:42 AM:
cherokeeauto wrote on Nov 18, 2009 9:57 AM:
cherokeeauto wrote on Nov 18, 2009 8:11 AM:
foodwriter99 wrote on Nov 17, 2009 9:33 PM:
cherokeeauto wrote on Nov 17, 2009 3:59 PM:
dtbussowner wrote on Nov 17, 2009 12:17 PM:
DanaS wrote on Nov 17, 2009 10:54 AM:
cherokeeauto wrote on Nov 17, 2009 9:27 AM:
BonsaiB wrote on Nov 17, 2009 9:03 AM:
cherokeeauto wrote on Nov 16, 2009 6:30 PM:
dtbussowner wrote on Nov 16, 2009 5:54 PM:
Jerome R. Kinderman wrote on Nov 16, 2009 5:43 PM:
PAL wrote on Nov 16, 2009 12:17 PM:
cherokeeauto wrote on Nov 16, 2009 10:38 AM:
Your store will be sadly missed in Lodi but we have made some amazing friends and memories with my kids along the way from shopping at your store, to learning to Kayak or just waving hello as we would drive by.. its more then a hole or a empty spot on School street, we all will feel emptiness of this too..
Arie, Mikkena and Jori "
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