Gearhead Outfitters to relocate Fayetteville store

Jonesboro-based outdoor specialty retailer Gearhead Outfitters will relocate its Fayetteville store from Dickson Street to 101 N. Block Ave., just north of the square.

The nearly 6,000-square-foot building, which had been dry cleaning company Ozark Cleaners and Laundry, is at the northwest corner of Meadow Street and Block Avenue.

Ted Herget, owner and founder of Gearhead Outfitters, said he expects the store to open this fall after a renovation project. Fayetteville architect Rob Sharp is the designer. Little Rock-based Dave Grundfest Co. is the general contractor.

Herget said the Dickson Street store closed in May after JPMorgan Chase & Co. approached him about leasing it. The company took possession of it in May, and it will be the first Chase Bank in Northwest Arkansas.

The Block Avenue building will be divided into three units, including the Gearhead Outfitters store comprising 3,500 square feet. About 1,500 square feet will be a concept store featuring brands. The other unit will be an art gallery.

“We’re excited about being in more of a retail district,” he said. “It will suit our customers better. It helps the square. We’re able to benefit from the customers already there, and hopefully the tenants around us will benefit from the customers we draw. It’s a retail destination.”

The Gearhead store will have about 10 employees and will be managed by Erin Irizarry. She has been the Fayetteville store manager since 2018 and has worked for the company since 2016.

On May 5, A Squared Investments LLC purchased 101 N. Block Ave. from Natasha and David Harris for $1.4 million, according to Washington County property records.

Gearhead Outfitters has 18 stores across five states, including five Rock/Creek Outfitters locations in Tennessee. In 2019, the company acquired Rock/Creek and Illinois-based Uncle Dan’s Outdoor Store. The Uncle Dan’s locations have since been rebranded to Gearhead Outfitters stores.