Business name: Erehwon Mountain Outfitter
Address: 47 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville
Phone/website: (331) 215-6900, erehwon.com
Owners: Earth Sports LLC
Number of years in business: The Naperville store has been open since September 2015. The company has been in business for 44 years, with five locations in Illinois and one in Wisconsin.
Store manager: Paul Siepak
What does the business sell? Outdoor apparel, footwear, equipment for hiking, camping, backpacking, skiing, cross-country skiing, trail running, paddle sports, travel and lifestyle.
What was the impetus for opening this store? “To provide quality apparel and gear to others who share a passion for the outdoors and active pursuits, just like many of the people (who work) at Erehwon,” Paul Siepak said. (The store’s name is pronounced “air-one”; it spells “nowhere” backwards.)
What is the best thing about being in Naperville? “Being part of a community that seems to embrace the town they live in and support,” Siepak said.
What is the biggest challenge about being here? “Being located in downtown Naperville, sometimes parking can be a challenge. But it’s not impossible, say, like Chicago.”
When is your busiest time of year? “November and December, and seasonal activities all year around.”
What’s the most popular thing you sell? “Brands like Patagonia, the North Face and Sorel footwear, for adults and children.”
What thing do you like most about your job? “Being able to outfit and provide advice to customers that are planning an outdoor adventure, like skiing the Alps, climbing Kilimanjaro or taking their first backpacking or family camping trip.”
What is your least favorite thing to do? “Telling a customer we are out of stock on an item they came in looking for.”
Tell us about your most memorable customer. “Probably working in our Chicago location, when the then-prime minister of Croatia, Zoran Milanovic, came in during the NATO summit to purchase a pair of Salomon trail running shoes. He arrived with Secret Service detail all around him but was very down to earth and it was fun to learn about his outdoors experience back in Croatia.”
What is the biggest misconception about your business? “That Erehwon is expensive. Our prices are very competitive and we try to offer products that hit all price ranges, from someone who is a beginner recreational type to the enthusiast customer. Yes, we do sell many upscale brands that may cost a little more but they last a long time and many offer lifetime warranties. We also have sales quite often.”
How would you describe Erehwon’s philosophy? “Offer the best value and performance products to customers that share the same passion for the outdoors and provide a shopping experience with friendly and knowledgeable staff that can help you choose the right product for any outdoor activity.”
If you weren’t do this, what line of work would you be in? “Something with outdoors or travel.”
How has your business changed over the years? “Business is constantly changing, with products being more accessible through e-commerce and more competition from stores as products become more trendy and popular. I still think even in this technology age it’s nice to be able to touch, feel and try on the products as well as talk to someone who is knowledgeable and probably even owns one of what you are shopping for, and can give you an unbiased opinion.”
Daina Saleh is a freelance writer for the Naperville Sun.
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