After January’s announcement that Champaign Surplus would be moving from their longtime Downtown Champaign location (and announcing a massive clearance sale), they have now revealed their plans for the future.
Champaign Surplus will become Champaign Outdoors, and they will have not one, a few iterations of their store. You can read all of that information via the press release. The location will be at 2017 South Neil Street in Champaign, and that image is below as per their Facebook page:
From the press release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2018
Champaign Surplus Announces New Locations, Changes Name to Champaign OutdoorsCHAMPAIGN, IL — Champaign Surplus, Champaign-Urbana’s largest locally owned and operated specialty outdoor retailer, announced today that they are changing their name to Champaign Outdoors, and moving their brick-and-mortar and internet operations into three new locations.
Two brick-and-mortar concepts, Champaign Outdoors and Rugged Outdoors, will open in side by side spaces at 2017 South Neil Street in the Carriage Center, Champaign.
Champaign Outdoors will carry forward the best of Champaign Surplus, while its innovative design will utilize personalization and technology to bring a fresh viewpoint, reflecting the evolving way customers are choosing to shop. The new location will feature camping and travel gear, apparel, footwear and accessories from premier outdoor brands.
Next door will be Rugged Outdoors, the first brick-and-mortar store supporting the company’s nationally prominent website — ruggedoutdoors.com — and companion eCommerce businesses. The Rugged Outdoors store will feature an ever-changing variety of deals on top outdoor brands and an assortment of basic outdoor products.
In addition to the two new physical stores, the company’s corporate headquarters and internet operations will be moving into a new, state-of-the-art facility at the Titan Warehouses, 101 E. Mercury Drive, Champaign. The 20,000 square foot location will be configured to handle a high volume of internet business and product inflow, as well as new finance, customer service and internet-related jobs.
“Brick-and-mortar retail these days is all about the experience,” said Shira Epstein, company co-owner. “We’ve got some exciting plans and ideas on ways to build on our current strengths and what customers love about our store, while making the shopping experience even more unique. It will be a fresh and modern build out, but still true to our heritage, friendly outdoor culture and product mix. We’ll use technology to help us better assist each customer, whether they are preparing for a big adventure or just needing a quality warm coat to walk across campus.”
The company is updating its store name to Champaign Outdoors to more accurately reflect its current selection and expertise in products designed for the outdoors and outdoor-aspirational living. Champaign Surplus consistently offered surplus and military-style merchandise since opening its doors shortly after WWII. However, sourcing surplus has become increasingly difficult over the past decade.
“We love our heritage as a surplus store and are nostalgic about leaving it behind. It was a great part of our business for decades. But, we are simply not able to find quality surplus product to stock our shelves anymore,” said Dan Epstein, company co-owner. “The change in our name to Champaign Outdoors not only reflects our current product selection, but also our personal passions for camping, hiking, kayaking and getting people outside enjoying nature.”
The company expects to occupy all three new facilities near the end of May.
