"Hey guys, welcome to Mountain Outfitters! Just to let ya know, we have 50 percent off everything upstairs and we have things marked down on the racks. Let me know if ya need any help."
That right there is pretty much what I tell every person when they first walk in through the doors of the small-but-comfortable outdoor store located in Monteagle, Tenn. When you get off exit 134 Sewanee: University of the South, you first have to drive through the small town of Monteagle. There is not much to notice aside from the limited fast food chains and two gas stations, but if you drive a little further down you might just be lucky enough to stumble upon a not so hidden gem. Mountain Outfitters is a Sewanee classic by and by, it may be because its five minutes away from the University of the South, but I can guarantee you the finds are anything but small.
If you have some background about the store then you already know that if you walk in, there is always a sale—and when I say always, I mean pretty much every day since the last 20 years. The store itself is owned by Marjorie and Haynes Barnett, a mother and son who have a passion and love for the outdoors that rivals many other outdoor stores. One thing that's always noticeable about the store is that it's not impersonal at all. You can walk around the store, take a climb on the rock wall, chill with the dogs Chaco Bear and Percy the pug and still leave the store maybe not even buying a thing, yet still having a pleasant experience.
Maybe it's the cozy atmosphere that makes coming into this store so exciting each and every time. The leaves are falling and the never-ending Sewanee fog has made its way on to our beautiful mountain home, which means it's probably time to refresh my winter wardrobe. Lately the store has been restocked with new winter wear for those who are seeking to do some serious bonding with nature. Thankfully, though, Mountain Outfitters really does have everything—even for us people just looking to feel as warm and cozy as that PS Latte from Stirlings. I'm not saying there is a pumpkin spice latte jacket, but hey—there is FUZZY. I'm saying they have the most fuzzy types of jackets from Patagonia, Northface, Columbia, and basically all of your outdoor dreams/needs.
The moral of this story about the little outdoor store that sits upon the beautiful mountaintop is that it's worth checking out. So head over to Mountain Outfitters, have a nice chat, bring your PSL, and most of all have an awesome time.
