Outdoor shop Denali undergoing restructuring
The esteemed New England gear supplier has closed one of its seven stores and the future of the others remains uncertain.
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Connecticut-based Denali has begun a restructuring process that will continue over the next few months, according to outdoor industry insiders.
It is unclear so far whether the outdoor specialty retailer will close stores. However, the Wakefield location is permanently closed, based on information on the company’s website.
“We hate to see any retailer consolidating and closing down doors,” said Peter Sachs, a Connecticut resident and the general manager of LOWA Boots. He was a vendor of Denali’s two to three years ago. “It reflects the overall health of retail, the economy and the industry and is not a good indicator of the current state of affairs or the future.”
Last year, Denali rebranded from Trailblazer and opened a seventh location in Providence, Rhode Island. Trailblazer was founded in 1994 to serve hikers, climbers, campers, runners, and travelers. The store is a member of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance and 1% for the Planet. It also operates a nonprofit affiliate, the Denali Foundation, which supports youth organizations and environmental initiatives, raising funds through the Pint Night series, Run the Gauntlet obstacle races, and the annual Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour.
Denali’s Wakefield closure—with more closures possible—follows the recent and sudden shuttering of Ascent Outdoors, one of Seattle’s premiere outdoor shops.
