About Outdoors, Inc.

Outdoors Inc. was founded in 1974 when Joe Royer and Lawrence Migliara combined their two paddling businesses, West Tennessee White Water Supply and South Central Canoe Base, into The Great Outdoors. At the time, Joe and Lawrence were avid paddlers and racers who could not find performance outdoor equipment in Memphis. The first retail location opened in the spring of 1974. During the first few years of business, Joe and Lawrence concentrated on selling performance paddling equipment.

After a successful trip to Ranier Mountaineering School, Joe and Lawrence decided to start carrying climbing and camping equipment. They then changed the name to Outdoors Inc. Soon after, following a few seasons of unusual regional snowfall, Outdoors Inc. began carrying snow ski equipment and apparel, and sponsored the first ever Cross Country Ski races in Memphis’ own Audubon Park. In the early 1980’s, Cycling was added to our outfitting repertoire.  Over the next decade, Outdoors Inc. expanded into a new warehouse and added retail stores in Memphis and Jackson, TN. Outdoors Inc. continues to be the only Ski and Snowboard retailer in West Tennessee.

Today, we at Outdoors Inc. continue to provide Memphis and the Mid South with quality gear for outdoor enthusiasts of all types. We hope to provide our customers with high quality equipment and apparel to enhance their outdoor activities, while promoting long term relationships with customers by offering impeccable service beyond expectation. We believe that a high quality product that retains its performance and aesthetic appeal for many years is more environmentally responsible than one that must be replaced frequently due to inferior materials or poor quality workmanship.

We provide a workplace for employees that encourages honesty, fairness, respect for others, compassion and integrity.

In 2019, Outdoors Inc. celebrated its 45th Anniversary of being the Mid-South’s premier locally-owned and operated Specialty Outdoor Retailer, with 4 retail locations and a growing online sales presence. 

Outdoors Inc. continues to strive to serve the community through events that encourage respect and care for the environment, and to improve the quality of life of those in its community. 2019 marks the 38th year we have hosted the Outdoors Inc. Canoe and Kayak Race on the Mississippi River, and the 3rd year for the Outdoors Inc. Cyclocross Championship, which is the longest running Cyclocross race in the Nation.