Adventure is for everyone.
That’s why Jamie and Renee Borglum went into the outdoor gear business and why they’ve brought their store, CrawDaddy Outdoors, to downtown Ames.
“Adventure looks different for everyone,” Jamie Borglum said. “Our mission is to help people take one step beyond their comfort zone and experience the outdoors.”
CrawDaddy Outdoors has opened a holiday pop-up at 327 Main St. where they will officially launch in March after renovations are finished. The store is open daily through Christmas Eve.
The renovated space will feature about 7,000 square feet of retail along with additional warehouse space, Jamie Borglum said. The popup is using about half of the main floor, which will eventually expand to include the lower level.
Strong sense of community brought CrawDaddy to Ames
Founded 20 years ago, CrawDaddy Outdoors has been under the Borglums’ ownership for two years. The couple considered expanding to Ankeny or the Des Moines metro, but ultimately chose Ames for its strong sense of community.
“We wanted to be part of a community, not just another store in a commercial strip,” Jamie Borglum said.
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance played a key role in recruiting the business after JAX’s closure. JAX Outdoor Gear was a fixture in the Ames community for 70 years before shuttering in August.
“Dylan Kline from the Alliance reached out to us, so we came for a visit,” Jamie Borglum said. “And we felt like it would be a perfect fit for us.”
The store has already drawn enthusiastic support from locals and neighboring businesses.
“It’s humbling,” Jamie Borglum said. “People come in and thank us for being here. That makes all the hard work worth it.”
CrawDaddy is the largest kayak retailer in Iowa, plans to offer guided trips
The Ames store will eventually offer a wide range of outdoor gear, including an extensive kayak selection.
“This is a tiny selection of what we have in our Waverly store,” Jamie Borglum said of the kayaks at the Ames store. “We have 50 plus different models and we will offer the full selection when we officially open next year.”
Jamie Borglum also plans to launch a variety of professionally-supported kayak trips around Thanksgiving, with registration opening after the first of the year. Options will include multi-day adventures, custom outings and team-building trips.
CrawDaddy is working with Ames Parks & Recreation to provide kayak rentals at Ada Hayden Park.
Community engagement is central to Jamie Borglum’s vision. A lifelong Eagle Scout, he hopes to stock gear for BSA, continuing a tradition of supporting youth outdoor programs.
The gear, trips, instruction, rentals, Scout materials and expertise offered by CrawDaddy fill the gap left after JAX’s closing. The Borglums want their family-owned store to become an important part of Ames.
“We aren’t JAX, and we’re not trying to be,” Jamie Borglum said. “What we are is the best version of CrawDaddy Outdoors in Ames that we can be.”
Ronna Faaborg covers business and the arts for the Ames Tribune. Reach her at rfaaborg@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: CrawDaddy establishes temporary pop-up in Ames ahead of permanent opening in the spring
Reporting by Ronna Faaborg, Ames Tribune / Ames Tribune
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