Rutabaga’s Last Paddle: Another Outdoor Retailer Closes Shop

Today on The Rock Fight, Colin, Eoin, and Producer Dave are joined by Darren Bush, longtime owner of Rutabaga Paddle Sports in Madison, WI, to talk about his decision to close one of the most beloved specialty outdoor retailers in the U.S.Here is the full rundown for today's episode:VF sells Dickies for $600m 8 years after acquiring the 103 year old workwear brand for $820m. How does this benefit VF and what does it mean for the outdoor industry? (03:10)Is an increase in participation driving fresh M&A actitivity? Capstone Partners says that is. The Rock Fight's consigliere weighs in. (11:25)Support this weeks partners of The Rock Fight! Ibex, Fjallraven, Royal Robbins, Lems Shoes, and Conatus Counsel! (22:12)The Monday Boys are then joined by Darren Bush to talk about the following topics (26:22):Why Darren is closing Rutabaga after more than 25 years of ownership.How his personal journey, from epidemiologist to retailer to chaplain, shaped his outlook.The state of specialty retail, from margins to customer service.Why experiential opportunities like paddling schools and Canoecopia still matter.The challenges of succession planning and selling independent shops.What the closures of Rutabaga, Summit Hut, and Next Adventure say about the industry.Darren’s proudest moments and the thousands of hugs he’s received from grateful paddlers.Finally for The Parting Shot, Colin thinks the outdoor industry may be a little too concerned with that 'seat at the table' and could stand to be a little louder in the face of recent events. (43:40)Thanks for listening! The Rock Fight is a production of Rock Fight, LLC. Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's semi-weekly newsletter by heading to www.rockfight.co and clicking Join The Mailing List.Please follow and subscribe to The Rock Fight and give us a 5 star rating and a written review wherever you get your podcasts.Want to pick a fight with The Rock Fight? Send your feedback, questions, and comments to myrockfight@gmail.com.

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Tired of the same old outdoor narratives? If your post-adventure chats are filled with laughter over mishaps, commiseration about broken gear, and celebrating real triumphs (and epic fails), then The Rock Fight is your new tribe. Imagine this: you're no longer stuck in echo chambers. After listening in, you'll be part of honest, unfiltered discussions that mirror the conversations you have with your closest outdoor buddies. You'll gain fresh perspectives and feel more connected to a community that speaks your language. On The Rock Fight we get into the topics others shy away from – the real, sometimes messy, and always engaging aspects of outdoor culture. Ever debated the best layering system for an imaginary ice planet adventure? We're there. Concerned about the true environmental impact of outdoor brands beyond the marketing spin? We're digging in. We're not afraid to challenge the conventional and offer the candid insights you crave. We're those voices around the campfire, on the chairlift, and at the pub who aren't holding back. Our diverse discussions are fueled by a genuine love for the outdoors and a healthy dose of skepticism towards the status quo. Our goal is to create meaningful conversations and a stronger sense of community for outdoor lovers who are ready for something real. So grab your rock, hit play, and get ready to step up and participate in The Rock Fight.