Longtime manager is new owner of Kalispell's Rocky Mountain Outfitter

Rocky Mountain Outfitter, the iconic downtown Kalispell store with a mountaineer sculpture hanging from the facade — is experiencing the first change of ownership in its 42-year history.

Longtime employee Jandy Cox has taken over ownership from Don and Colleen Scharfe. The Scharfes founded the outdoor retail business in 1976, and it has occupied the same space on Main Street ever since.

Cox grew up in Washington, D.C., where he spent much of his teenage years riding his bike out of the city to scout climbing routes along the Potomac River.

“Probably more than any other activity, [rock climbing] changed my life,” Cox said.

He graduated from high school early, bought a Volkswagen van and embarked on a yearlong, cross-country climbing trip. It was on that trip when he first met Don Scharfe. They crossed paths climbing at Lake Koocanusa near Eureka and Cox came in to Kalispell check out Scharfe’s store.

After the trip and some time working as a bike courier in D.C., Cox returned to Whitefish, where he started a climbing guide company called Vertical Ventures. The business is now defunct and his old sign can still be seen hanging in the Great Northern Bar in Whitefish. While running his guide business he also worked part time in Scharfe’s shop starting in 1989.

Cox eventually left the valley to spend some time in Colorado, but returned in 1994 to become store manager for Scharfe, a role he was in for about 23 years before taking over ownership. Cox says Scharfe now works for him, so customers will still see him around the store.

“He’s been a fantastic mentor for so many years,” Cox said of Scharfe.

Cox said the ownership transition has been contemplated for a long time and has gone quite smoothly. He doesn’t plan any significant changes and is confident the store’s niche will remain into the future. He said Rocky Mountain Outfitter’s loyal customer base seeks out the expert advice of its sales team.

“We’re not selling insurance, we’re selling stuff for dream trips that people have wanted to take for a long time,” Cox said.

“What we really strive to do is just connect with the community.”

He said the store carries the best equipment to maintain its outdoor niche, and that they don’t hesitate to send customers to other retailers if they feel it would better suit their needs.

“We don’t try to be something for everyone,” Cox said.

They are also furthering their brand by using social media to share news and information about more than just the store. They post information about where the snow is good in the backcountry and other things that keep the store relevant for their loyal customer base.

The Main Street retail space has only had two tenants since it was built in the early 1900s, Cox said. Before Rocky Mountain Outfitter, Eagle Shoe store called it home.

Rocky Mountain Outfitter is planning an open house to celebrate the ownership transition from 3 to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 21.

Peregrine Frissell can be reached at (406) 758-4438 or pfrissell@dailyinterlake.com