Annual CityScope® Business Issue
By Kristen Dee / Top Photo Courtesy of TEREN
With a thriving outdoors scene fueled by both locals and tourists, Chattanooga provides a sensible setting for outdoors-focused businesses. Here, we speak with five local business owners serving those who can’t get enough of nature.
Drawing inspiration from other used gear shops in Colorado, Mary Beth Sutton and her former student and friend Chris Calhoun founded The Gear Closet in 2012, offering used outdoor gear with the purpose of giving back. Thanks to the local demand for outdoor gear, and those familiar with the mission of WaterWays, the store has been growing ever since.
The Gear Closet provides used gear such as kayaks, clothing, and equipment at an affordable price, seven days a week. “If you’re only going to sell one type of product, you’d better hope it’s something people in your area want,” jokes Sutton. “Luckily we have a vast market of outdoor enthusiasts in Chattanooga. Folks come in every day looking for a boat to help them explore the Tennessee River or even just an affordable pair of hiking boots.” Store manager Thomas Trouy agrees, sharing, “Outfitters like us have the opportunity to help equip people of all skill levels, backgrounds, and interests to enjoy all our city has to offer.”
Part of what makes The Gear Closet special is its unique mission – the effort is part of WaterWays, a local nonprofit dedicated to watershed health and restoration. “Every penny earned by The Gear Closet helps protect and restore our waterways,” says Sutton, who serves as the organization’s executive director. “It’s an essential part of our income and our outreach to folks who care about nature.”
Caring about nature is a core part of the work being done by Sutton, Trouy, and the rest of the WaterWays team. “We need nature,” insists Sutton. “It’s important to get away from the screens that dominate our lives and get a dose of well-being from nature. WaterWays focuses much of our environmental education on urban schools where students have few, if any, opportunities to experience the outdoors. We also provide businesses opportunities to get outdoors in service to nature to help build trails, clean up creeks, or plant trees. Through The Gear Closet, we offer a less expensive entry into outdoor pursuits so people can try out outdoor endeavors without a huge investment.”
Photos by Vityl Media
While there is no shortage of fly fishing spots along Chattanooga’s beautiful waterways, there has historically been a drought in local fly fishing outfitters. Seth Logan Fields recognized this gap in the market, and after working as a freelance fly fishing writer for various magazines, he jumped at the opportunity to open his own shop. Founded in 2019, The Hatch Outfitters offers a wide variety of fly-fishing products including rods and reels, clothing, bags, sunglasses, materials for flies, as well as guided tours, workshops, community events, and even a beer bar.
Chattanooga’s landscape includes urban fisheries, river gorges, mountain streams, and countless other waterways, appealing for both locals and tourists looking for a day out on the water. Not only does this make a great place for owning a fishing-focused business, but it also allows Fields the opportunity to introduce people to fly fishing, which he describes as a “medicinal-like” experience. “The focus required, the landscapes it brings to you, the camaraderie, and the physical exertion have proven advantageous for a whole host of folks looking for a way to connect with nature,” he says. “We love giving people the knowledge and tools to go out and begin their journey.”
While many of their products are offered online, Fields and his team at the shop make for a special in-store shopping experience that shouldn’t be missed, in addition to many unique events. This year, The Hatch Outfitters will continue offering their first Friday Fly Tying Nights, as well as a fly fishing film showcase, fly fishing tournament, and annual oyster roast. Fields enjoys bringing the community together for these events, saying, “Fly shops aren’t just retail spaces. They’re a cultural hub of sorts for local and traveling anglers – a place of information, friendships, great stories, and cold beers. I took the plunge and poured all my time and energy into it, and the result couldn’t have been more worth it.”
Photos Courtesy of The Hatch Outfitters
After husband and wife Cody and Jamie Wallis moved to Chattanooga, they took up cycling to meet new friends and share a hobby. As they began cycling more frequently, Cody became disappointed by the cycling gloves on the market, which often didn’t fit well or spark inspiration. After a candid conversation about taking a risk and starting a cycling glove company, Handup Gloves began operations out of the Wallis’ guest bedroom.
Cody set out to make a minimalist cycling glove that was fun and without gimmicks like padding or Velcro straps. What began as one glove has grown into diverse apparel that customers can wear while biking or on a night out with friends. “We offer a full lineup from head to toe,” shares Jamie. “We have progressed to both casual and serious cycling gear, and we offer nine types of riding gloves.” While they may be best known for their gloves, the Handup product line also includes items like jeans, socks, shirts, and flannels, perfect for everyday wear.
Being in Chattanooga, Cody and Jamie are able to get real-time feedback from the local cycling community, allowing them to test and expand their product line. “We’ve been very fortunate to have Chattanooga’s trail system and the cycling community, which helps us tailor our products around what our friends use and love, and we develop products based on what we see missing in the market,” says Jamie.
One of the standout elements of the Handup line is the colorful and unique designs, which break the mold of more traditional cycling gloves. Prints are often limited runs, and designs are constantly changing. Thanks to this element, Handup has built its own community and continues to gain popularity in the cycling community, with their gloves being worn by everyone from former presidents and Tour de France racers to Red Bull athletes and even world-champion cyclists. “I love that our company gives people a reason to be outside,” says Jamie. “Wearing fun gear that expresses part of your personality on the trails gives you motivation and confidence that I’m proud to be a part of in a small way.”
Photos Courtesy of Handup Gloves
Founded in 2011, L2 Outside is Chattanooga’s first dedicated paddle board and kayak rental business, and it’s also one of the nation’s first inland standup paddle board and kayak rental companies. Since opening their doors, the shop has continued to grow and evolve. Owners Steve and Debbie Clanin have been operating L2 Outside since 2020, describing the business as “a sweet dream come true.”
Located right off the Tennessee River, L2 Outside specializes in paddle board and kayak rental offerings. Open seven days a week during the summer season, customers can get out on the river in a premium paddle board or kayak and take in the scenic views, explore Maclellan Island, or adventure along the cliffs and caves underneath the Hunter Musuem of American Art. In addition to renting paddle boards and kayaks to create your own adventure, they also offer private lessons and sunset tours. “We aim to be easy, accommodating, dependable, efficient, and trustworthy,” says Debbie.
The Clanins are proud to be small, local business owners, and they embrace L2 Outside’s motto “Live Life Outside,” which often comes easy in a city like Chattanooga. Debbie shares, “For the region, Chattanooga has an uncommon spirit of innovation and a sense of entrepreneurism. Water is the epicenter of Chattanooga lifestyle, which fits us perfectly. Our personal passion for living life outdoors drew us to ownership of L2 Outside, and we take pride in the unique business we offer to locals and tourists. We are dedicated to helping people get outside and enjoy life.” This year, they look forward to offering new classes and specials to customers, all with the hopes of getting them to live life outside.
Photos Courtesy of L2 Outside
“Spending time in nature has so many benefits – physically, mentally, and spiritually. Being in nature is where I feel most alive and inspired,” shares TEREN co-founder and native Chattanoogan Chris Loizeaux. This mentality is at the core of TEREN’s menswear, which bridges the gap between everyday clothing and performance gear. The high-performance outdoor apparel can be worn both “in the city and out on the trails,” in any and all conditions.
The idea was born from Loizeaux and his co-founder Nick Rader’s experiences buying outdoor gear that didn’t match their everyday life. “Too often, we’d buy gear that was overly specialized and not something we wanted to wear around town,” Loizeaux shares. “That gap inspired us to create TEREN – apparel that’s functional, stylish, and encourages people to spend time outdoors without changing outfits or hauling extra gear.” Their variety of innovative product offerings include items such as pants and shorts, different styles of shirts, and outerwear and accessories, many of which have special features, such as their insect-repellent pants or fire-resistant puffy jacket.
With Chris as a designer and maker, and Nick’s background as a mechanical engineer, the two work well together while navigating the challenges of running an outdoors-focused business. Thanks to an engaged community, there are always opportunities for them to continue perfecting their gear. Loizeaux says, “There’s a built-in sense of passion and purpose. Customers aren’t just looking for a product; they’re looking for gear that supports their next adventure and aligns with their love of nature. This creates a tight-knit community of like-minded people who offer valuable, real-world feedback. The local community is passionate about active outdoor lifestyles and preserving natural spaces, which aligns perfectly with TEREN’s mission.”
TEREN continues to innovate and has plans for new products in the works this year. Ultimately, Loizeaux is proud of TEREN’s effort in breaking down barriers that keep people from getting outside. “We eliminate the need for separate ‘outdoor’ and ‘everyday’ wardrobes. Our clothing says ‘you can go outside whenever you feel like it – no excuses.’”
Photos Courtesy of TEREN
