Op-Ed: Betsy Bertram reflects on the bittersweet closing of her family’s beloved shop
After 32 years, Townsend Bertram & Company is closing its doors with love and gratitude for its community
Author
Betsy Bertram
Betsy Bertram is the Brand Manager at Townsend Bertram & Company Adventure Outfitters and curator of the Glass Top Counter Blog, a writer in the outdoor industry, a Kripalu yoga teacher, and IKO certified kiteboarding instructor. She is an avid adventurer, community builder, speaker, and leader. Betsy is also a graduate of the Outdoor Industry Association Skip Yowell Future Leadership Academy.
Bertram is the author of our Retail Voice column, which aspires to directly address many of the challenges that specialty outdoor retailers face in today’s omni-channel retail landscape.
“Inspired by conversations with other retailers at shows, I saw the incredible impact of sharing best business practices and opening up honest dialogue about the challenges we all face,” Bertram says. “I hope Retail Voice creates a monthly opportunity for us retailers to raise our voices and make meaningful changes in our stores and industry.”
My Stories
Retailer Review: Cotopaxi Teca Half-Zip Windbreaker
Gear tester Betsy Bertram lauds Cotopaxi's packable windbreaker for its reuse of scrap fabric and for being gender non-conforming-friendly.
Retail Voice: 15 buying tips for specialty outdoor retailers
Learn tips and tricks from veteran buyers
Show time: How to optimize your trade show strategy
A lineup of seasoned retailers share their tips for ensuring trade shows—from regional ones to the big OR—are efficient, productive, and even fun.
Retail Voice: Are you a responsible retailer?
How to run a responsible company in today’s omni-channel market
Trade show report: Grassroots Connect Show
Get an insider’s take on what was buzzing at the buying group’s bi-annual show in Knoxville.
Retailer Review: United By Blue Anywhere Short
Townsend Bertram & Company Adventure Outfitters' brand manager may have discovered the perfect pair of female shorts for running, yoga or just walking on the beach.
Opinion | Let’s embrace gender non-conforming customers in our stores
Townsend Bertram & Company is taking concrete steps to be more welcoming and relevant to gender non-conforming customers. Here are 5 easy steps.
Retailer Review: adidas Polartec PowerAir Fleece Jacket
This new hoody zips up fit, function, and fashion into an environmentally conscious jacket.
Opinion | Let’s get real about body image and outdoor models
Townsend Bertram & Company’s Betsy Bertram speaks out about the effects of outdoor brands using chiseled models instead of “real women.”