By Jill Nagy
The former Mountainman Outdoor Supply Company on Broadway in Saratoga Springs is now Saratoga Outdoors, but its owner, John Nemjo, said it is still the same business, same owner, same quality outdoor gear, and same knowledgable staff. The store needed a new name because Nemjo sold the old one, along with several outlets in Old Forge, NY.
Mountainman began in 1993 as a store in Old Forge. Nemjo came to Old Forge from New Jersey by way of Florida “I came back with $6,000 in my pocket” to start a business. “It was rough,” he recalled.
The business expanded to three outlets in Old Forge and in 2008 he added the Saratoga Springs store. Recently, Nemjo sold the Old Forge stores, along with the name, to a former employee. The Old Forge stores will continue to specialize in canoes—more than 20 brands of them—and kayaks, along with other outdoor gear. He expects that he and the new owner will work together.
Saratoga’s boating department will stock only one brand, Swift Canoe and Kayak, a Canadian brand and “the prettiest and nicest built and nicest paddling” boats around, according to Nemjo. As far as boats are concerned, it will be a “boutique,” selling only the one luxury brand.
Otherwise, Nemjo said, Saratoga Outdoors will continue to be “one of the leading independent specialty dealers in the Northeast.” It will continue to sell hiking, camping, and backpacking gear as well as clothing and footwear. They can also outfit cross-country skiers and snowshoers, but no downhill skis or snowboards. He noted that Saratoga Today voted his store the best men’s clothing and footwear store in town. It sells Patagonia, NorthFace, Marmot, and several Swedish and Norwegian brands.
Shopping at Saratoga Outdoors can be addictive. Nemjo said that one survey found that 60 percent of his customers, both local folks and out-of-towners, shop there three or more times a year. “It only takes getting a person here once and they are hooked,” he noted. He prides himself on offering quality product and name brands.
Before he sold the Old Forge stores, the company was making $6-7 million per year, Nemjo said.
Nemjo is aware of the growing competition for the Capital Region outdoor dollar, with several new national brands coming to the Albany area. They may give L.L.Bean a run for the their money, he predicted, but “I’m up here in Saratoga and I have a great location, so I’m not worried about growing competition.” That location is at 2008 Broadway, between City Hall and the City Center.
Saratoga Outdoors is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For holiday shopping, hours will be extended to 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. everyday. The telephone number is 518 935-3161.