Clintonville Outfitters
clintonvilleoutfitters.com
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Clintonville Outfitters was born in a big white van, named Flow 1, somewhere on an Ohio highway. Now,
I know that creation story isn't as common as say, "I invented this in my garage " or "it is a perfect franchise
opportunity!", but neither are the owners, and in turn, neither is the store. Matt and Jonathan spent many hours riding
in the aforementioned van while traveling with their band Jovial Flow. If you were unlucky, and had to ride in that
oversized rattling deep freeze, you would have undoubtedly heard the two of them rambling about the day when they
would own their own businesses. At the time it seemed that those goals wouldn't be realized until later on in life, but
as it always does, opportunity came knocking and this time not only did they answer the door, but they followed that
beautiful yet scary creature down the river, into the unknown.
I know that creation story isn't as common as say, "I invented this in my garage " or "it is a perfect franchise
opportunity!", but neither are the owners, and in turn, neither is the store. Matt and Jonathan spent many hours riding
in the aforementioned van while traveling with their band Jovial Flow. If you were unlucky, and had to ride in that
oversized rattling deep freeze, you would have undoubtedly heard the two of them rambling about the day when they
would own their own businesses. At the time it seemed that those goals wouldn't be realized until later on in life, but
as it always does, opportunity came knocking and this time not only did they answer the door, but they followed that
beautiful yet scary creature down the river, into the unknown.
As the band got bigger, the road trips got a little longer
and there was more time to talk about how nice it will
be in the future when they were the ones in control.
That continued until one day when Matt said "I'm
getting bored and it is really starting to show. Either I
start my own shop, or I take a job with a manufacturer.
I have so many ideas and so much to offer that is
going to waste." To which Jonathan replied, "Start a
shop, you know how everything runs and you would fill
the store with some great gear." Matt thought for a
minute and said, "I just don't have much experience
with the business part of it." "That's funny!" Jonathan
laughed. "I know a lot about that, but I wouldn't know
much about the non-business part of your industry.
How much to stock, merchandising, layouts. I'd be
lost."
and there was more time to talk about how nice it will
be in the future when they were the ones in control.
That continued until one day when Matt said "I'm
getting bored and it is really starting to show. Either I
start my own shop, or I take a job with a manufacturer.
I have so many ideas and so much to offer that is
going to waste." To which Jonathan replied, "Start a
shop, you know how everything runs and you would fill
the store with some great gear." Matt thought for a
minute and said, "I just don't have much experience
with the business part of it." "That's funny!" Jonathan
laughed. "I know a lot about that, but I wouldn't know
much about the non-business part of your industry.
How much to stock, merchandising, layouts. I'd be
lost."
Right here I wish there was a technology, through this expansive Internet web we all weave, that could somehow
telepathically sense that you were done reading that last paragraph. At which point you would hear those
ever-so-recongnizable synthesized bells and horns sounding that famous Windows declaration, "AH HA!" This is the
sound that I imagine Bill Gates had careening around his head when his light bulb, rather flood light, started to glow. I
would link the sound, but there is probably a copyright against that so just use your imagination. Sorry. Tangents.
telepathically sense that you were done reading that last paragraph. At which point you would hear those
ever-so-recongnizable synthesized bells and horns sounding that famous Windows declaration, "AH HA!" This is the
sound that I imagine Bill Gates had careening around his head when his light bulb, rather flood light, started to glow. I
would link the sound, but there is probably a copyright against that so just use your imagination. Sorry. Tangents.
It hit them right then and there. Each others weaknesses were the others strengths. A foundation for thought.
The next few months were spent trying to
convince themselves that this was a bad idea.
Could they really do this? Was it even a
possibility? Too early to tell. But as the research
continued and the countless brainhurting
sessions, ( I call them brainhurting sessions
because your head hurts either from thinking too
much or drinking that extra Newcastle)
something unpredictable happened. The more
they dug the more they realized that not only
could they do this, they owed it to themselves TO
do it. So the company was born. A living
breathing animal to be tamed into something
that will ultimately be a benefit to their customers
and community.
convince themselves that this was a bad idea.
Could they really do this? Was it even a
possibility? Too early to tell. But as the research
continued and the countless brainhurting
sessions, ( I call them brainhurting sessions
because your head hurts either from thinking too
much or drinking that extra Newcastle)
something unpredictable happened. The more
they dug the more they realized that not only
could they do this, they owed it to themselves TO
do it. So the company was born. A living
breathing animal to be tamed into something
that will ultimately be a benefit to their customers
and community.
Matt Gibson grew up in New Albany, OH during the sleepy years before the major
construction and build-up brought on by Les Wexner and the growth of the area. An Eagle
Scout who has always had a love for the outdoors, Matt spent many weekends every year
backpacking and rock climbing while growing up. In 1999, after graduation from high
school, he spent six months hiking the entire length of the Appalachian Trail from Maine to
Georgia. After the thru-hike, he attended OSU’s wilderness education program. The last
few years the sport of touring kayaking has grabbed his interest. You may have seen Matt
at some of the other outdoor shops around town over the years, as he has spent the
majority of his working life in the industry. Since his early part-time years working at
Galyan’s while still in high school Matt has wanted to open and run his own outfitting store
using his real world experience.
construction and build-up brought on by Les Wexner and the growth of the area. An Eagle
Scout who has always had a love for the outdoors, Matt spent many weekends every year
backpacking and rock climbing while growing up. In 1999, after graduation from high
school, he spent six months hiking the entire length of the Appalachian Trail from Maine to
Georgia. After the thru-hike, he attended OSU’s wilderness education program. The last
few years the sport of touring kayaking has grabbed his interest. You may have seen Matt
at some of the other outdoor shops around town over the years, as he has spent the
majority of his working life in the industry. Since his early part-time years working at
Galyan’s while still in high school Matt has wanted to open and run his own outfitting store
using his real world experience.
Jonathan Barth grew up in Bay Village, OH playing sports and being very involved
with music. During his childhood, he would spend nearly a month every year in Maine at
the house that his Great-Grandparents bought years ago. Learning to enjoy the outdoors
was easy in this beautiful venue. His first job was at the local shoe store only months after
his 16th birthday. He worked there all throughout high school and returned to work there
anytime he was at home throughout college. It was a great 6 years of employment there.
He spent his college years playing soccer and studying business. After graduation, he
took a job as an Account Executive with Airborne Express, now DHL. He worked there for 3
years working with some of the largest accounts in the Columbus area. Then he spent
nearly 4 years working as a Marketing Director for a computer consulting company here in
Columbus. Happy to get out of the office (and tie), Jonathan is now ready to put his efforts
into something he truly loves.
with music. During his childhood, he would spend nearly a month every year in Maine at
the house that his Great-Grandparents bought years ago. Learning to enjoy the outdoors
was easy in this beautiful venue. His first job was at the local shoe store only months after
his 16th birthday. He worked there all throughout high school and returned to work there
anytime he was at home throughout college. It was a great 6 years of employment there.
He spent his college years playing soccer and studying business. After graduation, he
took a job as an Account Executive with Airborne Express, now DHL. He worked there for 3
years working with some of the largest accounts in the Columbus area. Then he spent
nearly 4 years working as a Marketing Director for a computer consulting company here in
Columbus. Happy to get out of the office (and tie), Jonathan is now ready to put his efforts
into something he truly loves.
Cast of Characters
During the research, much time was spent discussing business philosophy and direction of the store. Other stores
were visited to see what was liked and disliked, Columbus was scoured for vacant retail space, and numbers were
crunched. When all was said and done, decisions were made and a direction was set. Welcome to our store:
were visited to see what was liked and disliked, Columbus was scoured for vacant retail space, and numbers were
crunched. When all was said and done, decisions were made and a direction was set. Welcome to our store:
Many ideas and philosophies were tossed around throughout the
discussion process, but one thing remained consistent. It was imperative
that the primary focus of the store be to build relationships with it's
customers and the community. Understanding that in the end, quality
products and the right product mix for your customers is what keeps
businesses in business, the question of how you get to that point is raised.
Answer: Relationships. The more you know about your customers the
better prepared you are to fill your store with their favorite goodies. So, the
discussion process, but one thing remained consistent. It was imperative
that the primary focus of the store be to build relationships with it's
customers and the community. Understanding that in the end, quality
products and the right product mix for your customers is what keeps
businesses in business, the question of how you get to that point is raised.
Answer: Relationships. The more you know about your customers the
better prepared you are to fill your store with their favorite goodies. So, the
First order of business? The store needs some walls. Where to put the shop? Turned out the best place would be
their backyards. During all the trips around Columbus looking for the perfect spot, everything kept pointing back to the
'ville. There were scores of reasons Clintonville would be the best place to put up our shed, but one reason is more
important than any of the others. It's foundation. The people.
their backyards. During all the trips around Columbus looking for the perfect spot, everything kept pointing back to the
'ville. There were scores of reasons Clintonville would be the best place to put up our shed, but one reason is more
important than any of the others. It's foundation. The people.
Alright, where are we now? Location? Check. Name? Check.
Workshops? Check. Product? Mmmm. Time to buy some
product, the fun part. Matt and Jonathan packed up some gear
and headed out to Utah for the bi-annual Outdoor Retailer
trade show in search of innovative companies, products that
have withstood the test of time, and Fat Tire. For those of you
who are unfamiliar with Fat Tire, in the opinion of the owners of
this store, it is a some of the best beer one can taste. Not yet
sold East of the Mississippi, it is truly a treat for trips out west.
While it does not do justice to their story (they are also
modest), please take a minute to visit New Belgium Brewery's
website, www.newbelgium.com , and learn about their strong
push toward a greener earth. Just one of the many eye
popping statistics left off their website is that 99% of the waste
they generate is recycled or reused, including plastic wrap
Workshops? Check. Product? Mmmm. Time to buy some
product, the fun part. Matt and Jonathan packed up some gear
and headed out to Utah for the bi-annual Outdoor Retailer
trade show in search of innovative companies, products that
have withstood the test of time, and Fat Tire. For those of you
who are unfamiliar with Fat Tire, in the opinion of the owners of
this store, it is a some of the best beer one can taste. Not yet
sold East of the Mississippi, it is truly a treat for trips out west.
While it does not do justice to their story (they are also
modest), please take a minute to visit New Belgium Brewery's
website, www.newbelgium.com , and learn about their strong
push toward a greener earth. Just one of the many eye
popping statistics left off their website is that 99% of the waste
they generate is recycled or reused, including plastic wrap
After a tour of the brewery, a few pints to sample the product, and a night camped in a foot of snow next to a frozen
resevior, on to Salt Lake City. After 3 LONG days pouring through the over 750 different companies represented, a
core interest in a few was decided on and the rest left to the 100lbs of catalogues they were sent home with. Too
much to process for such a short time. One thing that was really exciting was the growing number of companies
offering "green" products. What an amazing thing to see so many companies taking the time and resources to
develop products from easily sustainable and renewable materials. From shoes made with bamboo foot beds to
shirts made from soy, the options for eco-friendly product in the Outdoor Industry is evolving, and Clintonville Outfitters
is thrilled to highlight their efforts and display their products here in Central Ohio.
resevior, on to Salt Lake City. After 3 LONG days pouring through the over 750 different companies represented, a
core interest in a few was decided on and the rest left to the 100lbs of catalogues they were sent home with. Too
much to process for such a short time. One thing that was really exciting was the growing number of companies
offering "green" products. What an amazing thing to see so many companies taking the time and resources to
develop products from easily sustainable and renewable materials. From shoes made with bamboo foot beds to
shirts made from soy, the options for eco-friendly product in the Outdoor Industry is evolving, and Clintonville Outfitters
is thrilled to highlight their efforts and display their products here in Central Ohio.
While more and more "green" products are becoming
available, not everything is made that way just yet. Those that
are of good quality and value will be found in the shop and the
goal is to increase the number of products carried each year.
Moving to a world where manufacturing plants are powered by
alternative energy, and the products those plants produce are
comprised of recycled material is in one word, innovative. A
word that would become a consideration in most of the
decisions made by Clintonville Outfitters since. Socks made
from corn? Sure. Packs made from recycled water bottles?
Those things and more will be found on the shelves.
available, not everything is made that way just yet. Those that
are of good quality and value will be found in the shop and the
goal is to increase the number of products carried each year.
Moving to a world where manufacturing plants are powered by
alternative energy, and the products those plants produce are
comprised of recycled material is in one word, innovative. A
word that would become a consideration in most of the
decisions made by Clintonville Outfitters since. Socks made
from corn? Sure. Packs made from recycled water bottles?
Those things and more will be found on the shelves.
That leads us to today. As the weather starts to warm and the color returns to our yards, the work continues behind
the scenes. Final orders have been made, displays have been purchased, and the countdown has begun. When all
is said and done, what will the store be? A customercentric shop where relationships will be made with
knowledgeable friendly people, a store that embraces innovative ideas and product, a classroom where you can
participate in workshops, a venue where dogs are always welcome, and of course, somewhere to find some really
cool gear. Stop in and check it out for yourself and let the guys know what you think. This is only the beginning to this
story, we hope you help write the rest...
the scenes. Final orders have been made, displays have been purchased, and the countdown has begun. When all
is said and done, what will the store be? A customercentric shop where relationships will be made with
knowledgeable friendly people, a store that embraces innovative ideas and product, a classroom where you can
participate in workshops, a venue where dogs are always welcome, and of course, somewhere to find some really
cool gear. Stop in and check it out for yourself and let the guys know what you think. This is only the beginning to this
story, we hope you help write the rest...
Alright, so there were no Private I's. No need. Why? Because a lot of information on the residents of Clintonville was
already in hand. With both of the owners living here, they have the advantage of knowing how active the area is and
how they love to support their businesses. Even the local media agree. Check out what Columbus Alive (article reprint
) and Columbus Monthly (article reprint) had to say about our home. The sense of community is undeniable and it
was extremely important from the beginning that the shop be involved with it's neighbor's.
already in hand. With both of the owners living here, they have the advantage of knowing how active the area is and
how they love to support their businesses. Even the local media agree. Check out what Columbus Alive (article reprint
) and Columbus Monthly (article reprint) had to say about our home. The sense of community is undeniable and it
was extremely important from the beginning that the shop be involved with it's neighbor's.
Our Story
The Trail Taken
Matt and Jonathan didn't pick to open an outdoor store for any other reason than what they will sell is what they love.
That said, one of the main ideas from the initial stages was the need to offer workshops and classes for their
customers. The possibilities are endless and will only be defined by the desires of the participants. Helping people
to enjoy the outdoors and the various activities available is a cornerstone of the vision of Clintonville Outfitters. It is
also imperative that a store that promotes the outdoors does its part to support a healthy environment. Without that,
there wouldn't be as much for everyone to enjoy. It was decided that the store would be as "green" as possible and
would promote those initiatives locally. That truly was one of the easiest decisions that was made.
That said, one of the main ideas from the initial stages was the need to offer workshops and classes for their
customers. The possibilities are endless and will only be defined by the desires of the participants. Helping people
to enjoy the outdoors and the various activities available is a cornerstone of the vision of Clintonville Outfitters. It is
also imperative that a store that promotes the outdoors does its part to support a healthy environment. Without that,
there wouldn't be as much for everyone to enjoy. It was decided that the store would be as "green" as possible and
would promote those initiatives locally. That truly was one of the easiest decisions that was made.
need for 10 full time Private Investigators was evident. They were dispatched to the streets of Clintonville to gather all
the personal information and DNA they could find. Believe me when I say there are some interesting people in our
little neck of the city.....
the personal information and DNA they could find. Believe me when I say there are some interesting people in our
little neck of the city.....
being made back into their office furniture. This is one company doing things well. Again, tangents, but this one is
worth it!
worth it!
A Note From Matt & Jonathan:
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about our store. One thing that this website nor our physical store could
ever explain or depict is the love and support we have received from our friends and family. Without them, our store
would remain a dream. Instead, we are two of the very fortunate ones that get to live our dreams. To our friends and
family, your continued offers of help and words of encouragement have meant the world to us. It is an amazing feeling
to have so many people genuinely excited for us and for that we are extremely grateful. To our parents, thank you for
believing in us and showing your support and love in so many ways. Your contribution to us and the store is
immeasurable and we wouldn't have this opportunity without you. Finally, to Beth and Megan. What can we say? You
both have had to alter your goals in order for us to reach ours and your constant unwavering support has been our
backbone. Without you none of this is possible and we can't wait to show you what you have helped us build. Thank
you all!
ever explain or depict is the love and support we have received from our friends and family. Without them, our store
would remain a dream. Instead, we are two of the very fortunate ones that get to live our dreams. To our friends and
family, your continued offers of help and words of encouragement have meant the world to us. It is an amazing feeling
to have so many people genuinely excited for us and for that we are extremely grateful. To our parents, thank you for
believing in us and showing your support and love in so many ways. Your contribution to us and the store is
immeasurable and we wouldn't have this opportunity without you. Finally, to Beth and Megan. What can we say? You
both have had to alter your goals in order for us to reach ours and your constant unwavering support has been our
backbone. Without you none of this is possible and we can't wait to show you what you have helped us build. Thank
you all!
2869 North High Street Columbus, OH 43202
614-447-8902
614-447-8902