A new apparel and outdoor outfitter has opened a store in downtown Rochester and aims to be an alternative to Moosejaw and REI.
Trekt opened Sept. 7 at 425 South Main St. and is launching a
website today. The store sells footwear, clothing, eyewear, climbing and camping gear, and more. Stock for the store and for the website, which offers free shipping, comes from a warehouse down the road in Rochester Hills.
"We're brand new. We're on the ground floor. We'd like to be between Moosejaw and REI. We have the level of technical knowledge, but we're not as loud and in your face as Moosejaw and we're more personal than REI," says Kolin Karchon, internal operations manager for Trekt.
Michigan-grown outdoor outfitter, Moosejaw, is based in Madison Heights and started in Keego Harbor in 1992. It has six stores in Michigan and four in other states and has bred a loyal following. Karchon and his parnters believe there's room for a competitor.
Trekt is owned by Derek Gaskins, grandson of the late Joseph Gaskins, who lost his leg as a child and went on to open a health care and footware store in Pontiac in 1957. The store is still in business and part of a company that has grown into
alevastores.com.
Karchon says "the buzz in Rochester has been great. We're very happy with the reception."
Already, the store will increase the selection of merchandise for children who are part of active families.
"We're catering to the 30-somethings who have children but are still looking to keep that fun outdoor aspect to their lives," he says.
Source: Kolin Karchon, internal operations manager, Trekt
Writer: Kim North Shine
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