Two locals local Pittsburghers with a dream to open an outdoor store are taking the first step this weekend with Pittsburgh’s first Gear Fest, which will be held at the Ace Hotel, on Sunday, April 23, from noon to 5:00 p.m.
Friends, adventure buddies, and Gear Fest co-founders Chris Kaminski and Christine Iksic are taking advantage of the fact it’s Craft Beer Week in Pittsburgh, and dubbing the event: “Gear Fest: Used Gear & New Beer.”
In addition to a wide array of used outdoor gear seeking a new home, local breweries like Hop Farm, Spoonwood, Grist House, and East End Brewery will be in attendance, and rumor has it that they may be brewing something special just for Ace Hotel and Gear Fest.
Although they both were born in Pittsburgh, Kaminski and Iksic both moved away, and subsequently moved back to the ‘burgh. Ever since their return, the duo has been looking for a way to unite the different outdoor communities in Pittsburgh.
“We realized that you don’t have to live in Denver or Montana to see an outdoor community come together,” says Iksic. “This area has a ton of hikers, climbers, paddlers and so much more. Things can get a little disconnected, but we are all so passionate about the same thing – the outdoors.”
While Gear Fest is the first step for Kaminski and Iksic on their path to opening a new and used outdoor store in Pittsburgh, the duo has actually been working on the plan for almost three years, and want to inspire everyone to get outside and enjoy the abundance of natural resources around the city of Pittsburgh.
If you are interested in selling gear at the event, more information can be found on the the Gear Fest website.
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