The Wells Avenue Business District welcomes a new addition this weekend. Gear Hut, an outdoor recreation consignment store, is opening its doors for the first time. Located at 1245 South Wells, near Wonder Street, their soft opening is Saturday, Aug. 18 at 11 a.m.
Gear Hut owners Rusty Donlon and Leah Wzientek are recent transplants to the area, having been seduced by the charms of the surrounding areas in 2016. Wzientek explains, “The Reno-Tahoe area has a plethora of free access to the outdoors, with National Forests, BLM land, free beaches and a general ‘don’t fence me in’ mindset, as well as a tight knit outdoor community.” However, they were dismayed at the lack of local shops that cater to adventurers on a budget. Wzientek goes on to say that their goal “is to make the outdoors more accessible to all of Reno, through low priced used gear.”
Gear Hut will specialize in outdoor recreational equipment, including camping, hiking, backpacking, skiing, biking and kayaking. Reno’s adventure enthusiasts will be able to consign their old gear for cash or store credit, and shop for “new to them” items.
“Gear Hut embraces a new outlook on consumerism – attempting to use gear through the full product life. Most outdoor equipment is well designed and outlives its usefulness for the first owner,” Wzientek explains. Their vision is to help experienced enthusiasts clear out space when they graduate to the new model of gear and give access to newer recreators without the high prices of new equipment.
“Gear Hut’s plan is to pass along the ability to adventure through consignment; giving consumers lower costs for gently used gear, increasing access for many who cannot afford brand new boots, sleeping bags, etc… Gear Hut’s ultimate goal is to redistribute gear so it doesn’t end prematurely in a landfill.”
The soft opening for the store will run Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 18 and 19 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Their regular store hours will follow suit, Wednesday through Saturday. For more information, contact [email protected].
