Seattle Orvis Store Closing

DKL

DKL

Steelhead
I just received a letter from Simon Perkins informing me they are shutting down the Seattle store in March. I feel so special. I think I’ve been in there only once when COVID first hit to buy a buff. Anyway, sounds like they are discounting inventory at this store until it is closed. No specific date mentioned, just says towards the end of March.
 
"Research reveals that more than 7,300 stores closed last year—a staggering 5 percent jump from 2023. It’s the worst wave of closures since the dark days of the pandemic. Business bankruptcy filings skyrocketed too—up 33.5 percent in 2024 from 17,051 to 22,762."
Most alarming is the number of chain pharmacy stores closing, Walgreens announcing 1200 to close this year, CVS 900, etc, and current projections are for 60,000 additional storefronts to close across the US in the next 5 years.
Anyone currently working in retail would be well advised to consider another career path.
 
I think a lot of companies:stores etc be closing. Wife wants 7 more years out of me I’m thinking 3. Think we’re heading for rough times.
 
Not to discount the doom and gloom of the current times because that shit is real. But….

Looking solely at Orvis as a company. Are they competitive with marketing strategies? Are they catering to a new generation of consumers?

I’ve never shopped at an Orvis store and I don’t own any Orvis products. I’m guilty of assuming that it’s all tweed and caters to a clientele in a different financial bracket than me. I know they have nice things but when I think of visiting a fly shop, Orvis is not on my radar.

A company that seems similar to Orvis in a lot of ways is Filson. Filson has had a strong marketing strategy towards reaching new consumers. I don’t shop with them either, but they have clearly had some success with that. Not sure how they are performing currently but I bet more people are familiar with them as a brand than Orvis. Especially younger folks.

Just putting some thoughts out there. I have no skin in the game but I do work in the retail industry and naturally see how catering to a broader demographic can help garner success.
 
I’ve had excellent service at that store, especially from a fella named Will that works there. I don’t consider them a fly shop, but more of a soft goods retailer. The new Primalof jacket I bought from them is easily one of the best purchases I’ve made for my own fishing. I wish I had bought one years ago. It sure makes cold winter fishing super comfortable.
They also took care of an issue I had with some wading boots.
I like having options for gear, so this isn’t great news in my opinion. It’s also a bummer folks are going to be losing their jobs.
SF
 
flybill said:
It was a shitty location that Orvis chose for the store.. hopefully they'll reopen in Bellevue or even at the Landing in Renton.. or anything better than downtown Seattle..
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Yet the Seattle Patagonia store has been directly across the street for years.
SF
 
I have never been to that location. I think having a specialty shop in a downtown area is bound to fail if actually making money is the purpose of having that location. I agree with @SteelHeadDave. I think Orvis has a relevance issue in the world of yuppie outdoor clothing. They definitely have a tweed and corduroy reputation compared to a company like Patagonia which is right across the street. I don’t think many younger folks are shopping there for their daily wear which is a problem if you are located in an urban area. I would not consider myself a younger person and have no interest in their everyday clothes either. I imagine young professionals in their 20’s and 30’s have even less interest than I do. Everyday clothing wise they are like the east coast version of Eddie Bauer.

Fly fishing gear and technical clothing wise is the reason they get my business. Reels in particular but also waders and other technical clothing like wading jackets. Good quality stuff and a reasonable price. My guess is folks were less inclined to make a special trip downtown for those items and instead chose to order online (I know I did). Unfortunate. Nice to have a brick and mortar option close by if something is needed fast. As others have said, also sucks for folks to lose jobs.
 
I'm not a dyed in the wool Orvis customer either, but last time I was in an Orvis shop it was in Tualatin, and they were going out of business. I looked around and what they did have was nice quality outdoorsy clothing, some gear, and if you needed some leaders or fly dressing, nippers etc. they had that. It was worth a look, and in it's location there it was the only thing interesting to me.
Future readers of my favorite book... The River Why... may not have the context to understand the beginnings from which the main character emerged without Orvis in the picture.
 
I own many Orvis products and am quite fond of them, the Company and their history. I’m not wealthy, therefore most of my Orvis rods and reels have been purchased used. I own several high end rods from Winston, Scott and Sage and can say that Orvis rods are right up there with the best of them in terms of quality.

Their Battenkill and CFO reels are legendary as are their Superfine series of rods. They are one of few Companies in the US that are still producing some of their rods here in the USA. They also have one of the best warranties in the industry and stand behind their products.

Just a little background on Orvis as a Company for those who don’t know.

Founded in Manchester, Vermont, in 1856 by Charles F. Orvis to sell fishing tackle, it is the oldest mail-order retailer in the United States. Orvis has only changed hands twice and had five CEO’s since its founding in 1856, more than 169 years ago.

I find that quite remarkable and like supporting companies like this as there are few left and they are unfortunately disappearing. These types of companies continue being bought out by large corporations like Far Bank and/or other industry monopolies.

It’s sad to see both local Orvis stores now closing. I hope that Orvis can continue operating, growing and producing high quality fishing products for many years to come. I’ll continue to support them.

Orvis, since 1856. For a reason!
 
I sold the small retail store I owned last year and am in the middle of a career change attempt. Customer base was aging out like for a lot of other hobbies/interests and I could see the writing on the wall.

Part of it though was certainly a fault of mine with lack of targeted marketing and reaching the younger generation. I understood the importance of the right marketing I just didn't have the knack for it. Unfortunately in this day and age good marketing in a lot of aspects is more important than a quality product.
 
troutstalker said:
I own many Orvis products and am quite fond of them, the Company and their history. I’m not wealthy, therefore most of my Orvis rods and reels have been purchased used. I own several high end rods from Winston, Scott and Sage and can say that Orvis rods are right up there with the best of them in terms of quality.

Their Battenkill and CFO reels are legendary as are their Superfine series of rods. They are one of few Companies in the US that are still producing some of their rods here in the USA. They also have one of the best warranties in the industry and stand behind their products.

Just a little background on Orvis as a Company for those who don’t know.

Founded in Manchester, Vermont, in 1856 by Charles F. Orvis to sell fishing tackle, it is the oldest mail-order retailer in the United States. Orvis has only changed hands twice and had five CEO’s since its founding in 1856, more than 169 years ago.

I find that quite remarkable and like supporting companies like this as there are few left and they are unfortunately disappearing. These types of companies continue being bought out by large corporations like Far Bank and/or other industry monopolies.

It’s sad to see both local Orvis stores now closing. I hope that Orvis can continue operating, growing and producing high quality fishing products for many years to come. I’ll continue to support them.

Orvis, since 1856. For a reason!
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Orvis will remain, I worked there for about 6 years and volunteered to teach their classes before I started and after for a while. This is just a location issue. Seattle sounds good, but you have to deal with parking, the homeless problem and where can you cast a rod you want to try. Orvis will likely open a store again, but if not then dealers will with many local shops carrying their gear.. rods/reels, etc. And worst case, you can order online and have it shipped to your house! Cheers!
 
flybill said:
This is just a location issue. Seattle sounds good, but you have to deal with parking, the homeless problem and where can you cast a rod you want to try.
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+1 for Bad location. I patronized the Orvis Bellevue store frequently. It was 10 min away. Bellevue had free parking on-site. Fun to see Leland. Only visited the Orvis seattle store a couple times. Congested drive to Seattle. No free parking. Had to pay to park on the street 15 minutes away and walk through a sketchy neighborhood to get to store. And no Leland. Made it easy to shift my trade to Avid Angler.
 
flybill said:
Orvis will remain, I worked there for about 6 years and volunteered to teach their classes before I started and after for a while. This is just a location issue. Seattle sounds good, but you have to deal with parking, the homeless problem and where can you cast a rod you want to try. Orvis will likely open a store again, but if not then dealers will with many local shops carrying their gear.. rods/reels, etc. And worst case, you can order online and have it shipped to your house! Cheers!
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I once had a brief part-time job at an Orvis store in DC. Some very fond memories.

Orvis has the kind of return policy people love and some people abuse. Kinda like REI or Nordstroms. However, I was totally intimidated by the clunky (p.o.s.) POS system and would try and disappear into the flyfishing department if a I suspected a return coming :rolleyes:

Maybe it's more of an East Coast thing, but people love Orvis clothes.
 
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