Rock/Creek, the longtime Chattanooga-based outdoors retailer, has been sold by its original owners to a pair of veteran employees.
Dawson Wheeler and Marvin Webb, who had been involved in the business since it was started in 1987, on Tuesday sold Rock/Creek to Jonathan Scott and Chad Wykle.
"This is a labor of love," said Wykle, who together with Scott have more than 30 years in the business. "We've learned from fantastic mentors."
Scott said he started working on the sales floor in 1995.
"I've cut my teeth there and done about everything there is to do," he said.
Wheeler bought an outdoors shop in Chattanooga called the Canoeist Headquarters in 1987. His friend Webb came into the business shortly thereafter. The pair started in Hixson and then moved to Frazier Avenue on the North Shore in 1991.
Today, the business has six permanent locations, including four in Chattanooga and sites in Cleveland, Tenn., and outside Nashville. It also operates a seasonal store on the Ocoee River in addition to its internet presence.
Also this spring, Wykle said Rock/Creek has a deal with Hamilton County to open three rental sites for paddle sports and biking.
He said expansion of the business is on the minds of the new owners.
"We're open to looking at other places particularly in the Southeast," said Wykle, 46. "We feel like we know the Southeast U.S. really well."
Scott, 48, said he and Wykle pushed for putting a store in Cleveland. Also, the new owners had spent a lot of time on the Nashville area location, Scott said.
"[Wheeler and Webb] let us go through that process ourselves," he said. "I think we've got a very good opportunity to become a strong regional presence."
Wykle said Rock/Creek now has more than 100 employees.
He wouldn't give annual sales figures, but said 2016 was a good year in spite of the drought and fires in the area, along with the uncertainty of the presidential election.
Wykle said Christmas holiday sales were strong and he's optimistic about 2017.
"Countrywide, the outdoor industry is very popular," he said. "Chattanooga is such a destination. People are moving here because of those outdoor resources. We see a really good year bolstered by the new rental business."
Scott said talk about buying the business from Wheeler and Webb "gained steam about three years ago."
The purchase price wasn't revealed.
Wheeler said in a Facebook post that Scott and Wykle are "talented, great friends and have walked lockstep with Marvin and I. They never wavered, they never flinched and were always the first in and last out."
"You simply are the man," he said of longtime partner Webb, with whom he "had a million experiences."
"Whoa that was a hell of a ride," Wheeler said.
Wykle said Rock/Creek has shown a commitment to Chattanooga and that helped the business succeed.
"It's been [Wheeler's and Webb's] focus," he said. "They've been a strong member inside the Chattanooga community and knowing the potential of all the activities around here. They saw that so many years ago."
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318.