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Photo by Jeff Thompson
Alabama Outdoors manager Lindsay Nanzari
Alabama Outdoors manager Lindsay Nanzari tests out a tent on the store’s sales floor.
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Photo by Jeff Thompson
Inverness store managers provide advice for gear
Inverness store managers Noel Watters and Mallie Beck Wilkerson are able to provide advice on gear for both outdoor novices and enthusiasts.
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Photo by Jeff Thompson
Alabama Outdoors Apparel
Alabama Outdoors carries a wide selection of apparel designed to suit any need.
Alabama Outdoors
108 Inverness Plaza
980-3303
Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Sunday, noon-5 p.m.
The company began in Homewood in 1975 and soon became a staple in the Birmingham outdoor community. Scott McCrory, current president of Alabama Outdoors, remembered buying his first jacket there in 1994. The company continued expanding through the years into seven locations in the state.
And in October 2012, it came to 280.
“We are fortunate to have many loyal customers in the Highway 280 area,” McCrory said. “An opportunity arose for us to bring a great selection of products to a more convenient location for these customers when Blockbuster Video vacated its Inverness location.”
McCrory described the store as a place where a mom and her children can feel at home while still catering to the needs of the modern explorer. It carries functional and stylish apparel for the entire family, as well as gear for enthusiasts. The staff is also willing and able to provide advice for whatever outdoor excursion a customer has in mind.
For example, if a customer is looking for a tent, there are about a dozen to choose from. But if the list includes a pair of Chaco sandals, a North Face ski jacket and a CamelBak, these can all be found as well.
“People can come in just to look around and learn, or we can outfit them for year-round activities throughout the world,” McCrory said. “You don’t have to be a backpacker or climber to come to our store. People here are active and want to be outside, and those are the people we connect with on a regular basis.”
McCrory said Alabama Outdoors is active in the community and sponsors local trail runs, kayak races, outdoor festivals and events held by advocacy groups. McCrory said in 2014 Alabama Outdoors would continue to be involved with Oak Mountain State Park and other outdoor destinations, as well as events like the Alabama Cup kayak series and the Moss Rock Festival in Hoover.
“We have strong relationships with Red Mountain Park, Ruffner Mountain, the Cahaba River Society and other recreation areas,” he said. “It is important to Alabama Outdoors to support access and usage of the outdoors.”
As warmer weather approaches, the store is stocking up on new items.
“We'll have lots of new styles this spring,” McCrory said, “including a great selection of footwear from Chaco and fresh new looks from Patagonia, Gramicci and Royal Robbins.”
