Neptune Mountaineering Sold

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FGD135

Social climber
Colorado
Topic Author's Original Post - Jan 7, 2013 - 12:53pm PT
"Boulder's Neptune Mountaineering has been purchased by Backwoods, the Texas-based outdoor retail chain announced this morning.

The official acquisition date was Dec. 31 for an undisclosed amount.

Neptune Mountaineering -- which was first opened on April 1, 1973 -- will remain open through the transition and will keep its name. Located at 633 Broadway, the store specializes in climbing, camping and other outdoor gear."

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/ci_22324919

fear

Ice climber
hartford, ct
Jan 7, 2013 - 12:55pm PT
Arrrrgghhhhh
Crimpergirl

Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
Jan 7, 2013 - 12:57pm PT
Uh oh. Hopefully this means the needed improvements happen without losing the best parts of the place.
SicMic

climber
two miles from Eldorado
Jan 7, 2013 - 12:58pm PT
The end of an era. Be happy Gary and Bibi.
SteveW

Trad climber
The state of confusion
Jan 7, 2013 - 12:58pm PT

Wow. I hope Callie's right.
Plaidman

Trad climber
South Slope of Mt. Tabor, Portland, Oregon, USA
Jan 7, 2013 - 01:22pm PT
They had the best mountaineering museum.
Loved that place. Sorry to see it go.
SteveW

Trad climber
The state of confusion
Jan 7, 2013 - 01:23pm PT

Uh, JLP, what side of the bed did you wake up on?

The staff that I dealt with was always helpful, professional, knowledgeable
and good.

maldaly

Trad climber
Boulder, CO
Jan 7, 2013 - 01:29pm PT
JLP, thanks for bringing up and event that happened 6 years ago when George W Bush was still president.
philo

Trad climber
Is that light the end of the tunnel or a train?
Jan 7, 2013 - 01:29pm PT
Whoa, Wow and Wild.
I wonder if I get kept on as their sparkski?
Crimpergirl

Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
Jan 7, 2013 - 01:34pm PT
I admit, getting assistance has always been hit or miss when I go there.

I've gone in and waited to get help while watching staff chat and chat. I've left the store after some time when this happens (not that anyone seemed to care). Other times, I get hit at the door with helpfulness. Those instances are very much appreciated

Last year for the holidays, I went in looking for a particular rope to give BN. Neptunes did not have it in stock. I asked if they would order it (I like to support neighbors and independently owned shops) and I was told to just go to Bent Gate in Golden to buy it! I went home and ordered it online instead (which I could have easily done before I took the time and trouble to go to Neptunes).

IMO, difficulty getting help has too often been their greatest weakness. Still, I'd hate to see it go. I hope it doesn't become just another chain-type store.
philo

Trad climber
Is that light the end of the tunnel or a train?
Jan 7, 2013 - 01:38pm PT
Gary created a great 'legacy' store and since he doesn't wear any his shoes will be impossible to fill.
I do hope they keep the shop from becoming REI-lite.
JLP

Social climber
The internet
Jan 7, 2013 - 01:38pm PT
Mal - 6 years ago, a few people actually still shopped there.

I wish Bent Gate would have bought them, but these folks don't seem too bad:

http://www.backwoods.com/

philo

Trad climber
Is that light the end of the tunnel or a train?
Jan 7, 2013 - 01:39pm PT
Attitude adjustment on aisle 5 please.
Bruce Morris

Social climber
Belmont, California
Jan 7, 2013 - 02:44pm PT
Back in 1973, I remember going into Gary's shop somewhere east of downtown Boulder when Eric Aldrich worked in the back resoling shoes. Seemed like there was a direct direct connection up to Komito's shop up in Estes Park. Climbing was a lot smaller back then and everyone knew everyone else in town. Sort of a climbing information exchange hub.

Visited Neptune's again in 1996-97 when there were lectures and slides shows on a weekly or was it bi-weekly basis by visiting rock jocks and mountaineers?

This really will be the end of an era!
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
Jan 7, 2013 - 02:49pm PT
This is not good. They did have their problems, but it would have been good to have bent gate buy them in stead of Walmart.

Ah well, a more generic experience, JLP will be happy.
10b4me

Boulder climber
Somewhere on 395
Jan 7, 2013 - 02:56pm PT
hope it works out for the best.

looking at the backwoods website, I was looking at the climbing section, I see that they carry five styles of five ten shoes, and four styles of La Sportiva.

they list an inventory of shoe sizes, and they don't have anything smaller than size 10. well there are a lot of big boys, and girls in texas.
GDavis

Social climber
SOL CAL
Jan 7, 2013 - 03:24pm PT
An end of an era. The first climbing shop I'd heard about before I'd seen it.
Fritz

Trad climber
Choss Creek, ID
Jan 7, 2013 - 03:28pm PT
This is absolutely terrible for one of ST's most valued members.

Those corporate folks from Backwoods are not going to let BrendaPuff and her slutvan continue to stay parked behind Neptunes.

Who is going to loan some parking space to BrendaPuff?
Prod

Trad climber
Jan 7, 2013 - 03:31pm PT
I wonder if the Museum pieces went with the sale?

No not Dan.... the gear.

Prod.
Wade Icey

Trad climber
www.alohashirtrescue.com
Jan 7, 2013 - 03:35pm PT
a piece of history is now...well...history.
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