New Outside Sports flagship store to open

The new Outside Sports flagship store in Queenstown will officially open its doors on Monday February 2, offering the highest levels of expertise and equipment.

Managing Director John Knight said he and the staff “couldn’t wait” to get into the new store, which has two separate entrances on Shotover Street and Memorial Avenue.

The purpose-built 700sqm store is all on one level, and designed to be easily interchangeable between summer and winter stock and services.

“It’s a beautiful landmark building with fantastic attention to detail inside and out, a combination of schist, glass, steel and wood,” said Mr Knight.

“Internally at its highest point it’s 12.2m high, almost like a cathedral and a magnificent space.

“Whereas in our previous store our staff were spread over three floors, here they can all interact with customers which is fantastic.

“It makes it easier for us when our key points of difference are our service levels, our technically-knowledgeable staff and the high-quality equipment we sell.

“When people come in to buy or rent one of our Specialized bikes, our guys and girls will make sure they fit properly to your requirements – from the recreational biker to the avid downhill fan.

“Similarly for Winter sports, whether you’re a beginner snow bunny, a back country snowboarder or a ski racer our staff can help you with boot, ski or snowboard fitting and servicing your gear.

“Every time our skis or bikes go out they’re fully maintained, tuned and repaired. We have a huge range of rental bikes, including bikes worth up to $9,000. They’re ‘fit for purpose’ bikes so you don’t have to bring your own kit here, and it’s the same if visitors are here over winter.”

The Outside Sports store also incorporates new Marmot and Icebreaker concept stores.

The final touches are now being put into the building by Naylor Love Construction.

Mr Knight said the new store would raise the benchmark for outdoor retail in Queenstown, and boasts customer parking at the rear of the building.

Outside Sports has traded from its current Shotover Street premises for the past 10 years and before that was at the top of The Mall. The company was started by local couple John and Judy Knight who turned their passion for sport and outdoor activities into a thriving retail and online business.

In 2009 Outside Sports merged with two other well established companies to form the enlarged Outside Sports group which now has shops in Queenstown, Wanaka and Te Anau.

The current shop will shut its doors for the final time this Friday 30 January.

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