2008 Coat Swap: Yet Another Success

For two weeks in November, Uncle Dan's gave away 1,400 coats.

Don't worry; our business model didn't go bizarro. It was just our 5th Annual Coat Swap! Customers donated their old - but still usable - coats and got 20% off a new piece of regular-priced winter outerwear. And we took those old coats to area charities. Coats donated at the Chicago stores went to the Jane Addams Hull House Association, coats from the Evanston store went to Connections for the Homeless, and coats from the Highland Park store went to the Grandfamilies Program of Chicago.

We do this through One Warm Coat, a national non-profit that assists in the donation of coats. Since its founding in 1992, about 750,000 coats have been has collected and distributed through OWC activities. Uncle Dan's customers and staff have donated more than 5,900 coats in our five coat drives.

If you missed the announcement for the swap and want to participate in next year's, make sure to sign up to the e-club to watch for this and more of our community-based programs. (Speaking of, don't forget that our can drive runs through Dec. 10!)

New for '08-'09: The Time is Nau!

Uncle Dan's is proud to say it's one of a handful of retailers nationwide carrying the revived Nau brand.

You can read more about this company here. Its aim is to develop products that are functional both in active sports and in a casual lifestyle and that are made with the most environmentally friendly materials possible.

Designer Mark Galbraith stopped by the new Evanston store to talk to us about the brand - and some employees from the Southport and Lincoln Ave. shops came up to listen as well. We often have these clinics to stay on top of what our brands are doing and the features they're adding - and we use that knowledge to give you the best service we can. However, Nau's was a rare treat because designers rarely visit shops, so we got to learn how the brand was built from the ground up.

Nau's exciting for us because for product you buy, the company will give a 2% donation to a nonprofit in its Partner For Change program. You'll not only get a product with warmth, style, and sustainability, you'll also be able to feel good about the change it's making for others and for the environment.

We're excited to welcome Nau back to the retail world and into our doors. One you try on some of the products, we know you'll feel the same way.

(And, hey, great minds think alike! Check out Nau's Thought Kitchen blog!)

Icebreaker's Baacode Launch Party Pics

Icebreaker dropped by our stores in October to promote the launch of Baacode, the company's traceability system. Each of the company's fine merino garments now has a code affixed to it; you can go online, type in that code and see where the merino in your Icebreaker came from. This not only helps ensure the company's ethical and environmental standards but also lets you in on the process.

Icebreaker reps, Uncle Dan's employees and customers dropped by to learn more about the brand, get some deals on product and try some delicious New Zealand wine and cheese.


Think it looks like fun? You're right! How can you find out about events like this? Just sign up for our e-club. It's easy, free and lands you a new discount every week.

You CAN Help This Season

It's the season of giving, and we're all about being in season.

With that in mind, we're working with the One City, One Food Drive effort.



So, from November 18 to December 10, bring a canned food item or a nonperishable food item to your local Uncle Dan's, and you'll get 15% off each regular-priced item you buy for each item you brought in.

For more ways to help, check out the Chicago Food Bank.

This promotion was co-sponsored by our friends at Marmot.

E-Club Members: Biggest in-season North Face sale ever

If you're a fan of Uncle Dan's and a fan of The North Face, you're in luck:
This week marks the start of our biggest in-season sale on one of our best and most-popular brands.

Through November 21st, E-Club members can get some great North Face products at great prices. Check it out:

20% off all mens', womens', and kids' jackets, hats, and gloves.
25% off all winter boots
30% off all daypack

Why is in-season such a big deal? Well, normally discounts like this only apply to product that you'll have to store in a closet for some time - parkas in the summer, lightweight trail pants in the winter. But with this deal, you can get some top-notch TNF stuff and use it right away.


And, you may ask, what if I'm not in the E-Club? Well, join! It's free and open to anyone with an e-mail address. You can sign up at any of our locations or head over to the sign-up page on the website. Bring in your coupon and you're in business.

New Evanston location

Capping a busy two years for Uncle Dan's, this October the Evanston store moved shop to its new digs at 901 Church Street.

You may remember that in 2006, we opened our Wrigleyville store at 3551 N. Southport Ave in Chicago. Then, in 2007, the Highland Park store got its new digs at 621 Central St. We're a little tired from all the moving, but we're thrilled about the growth - and you will be too, when you see the new Evanston spot. 

We've grown a lot from the old store at 700 Church, nearly doubling our space with about 5,000 square feet at 901. This means you can spend more time walking around and exploring in comfort. The shoe area has seating for about 20 people, and the dressing rooms are larger and better-lit. Not that you can see it, but we've got a more organized stockroom that will make it easier for us to find product for you. We've expanded our hours (10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday),  in case you need to pick up some last-minute supplies for that trip you're leaving on tomorrow.

Don't worry; the stock hasn't changed. You'll still find all the great brands you've come to love, and a few new exciting ones as well! Stay tuned to the blog to learn more. 

To accommodate all this new space, Evanston nearly doubled its staff (with a bigger "Meet the staff" board, of course). So you'll still get the attentive service you've come to expect. Let us know how we're doing.

P.S. - Yeah, we miss the old location at 700 Church, but we're not done with it just yet. Starting November 7, it will be open for limited hours on weekends (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays) to serve as an outlet store. After getting your brand-new gear at 901, swing by the old spot to snag a deal. It'll last as long as the stock does, so hurry.

Come along with us!

Welcome to the blog of Uncle Dan's, The Great Outdoor Store. We're hoping to use this blog to keep in touch with our existing customers and to make new ones, so read on!

Uncle Dan's has been serving Chicagoland adventure enthusiasts since 1972. We now have four stores: two in Chicago, one in Evanston and one in Highland Park. You can find all your favorite brands here, and maybe some you've never heard of but will come to appreciate. Our employees are just as excited about getting outside and exploring as you are, and they're good at it, too. From skiing to rock climbing to world travel, our staff has you covered, and we love sharing our stories almost as much as we love hearing yours.

That's kind of the point of this blog. You'll be able to read our news and hear about our products, but we want to know what you think! Tell us about your trips, how well a tent worked or just send pictures of an outfit that you've gotten compliments on. You guys are the reason we come to work every day, and this will give all of us a better way to connect.

Thanks for reading, and good travels!