Today on The Rock Fight, Colin, Eoin, and Producer Dave are joined by Darren Bush, longtime owner of Rutabaga Paddle Sports in Madison, WI, to talk about his decision to close one of the most beloved specialty outdoor retailers in the U.S.But this isn’t a story of failure, it’s about transition. Darren shares how a heart attack, a calling to hospice chaplaincy, and a lifetime of building community led to his decision. Along the way, he reflects on the evolution of outdoor retail, the importance of experiential opportunities like Canoecopia, and what the industry must do to survive in a digital-first world.Here is the full rundown for today's episode:<ul><li>VF sells Dickies for $600m 8 years after acquiring the 103 year old workwear brand for $820m. How does this benefit VF and what does it mean for the outdoor industry? (03:10)</li><li>Is an increase in participation driving fresh M&A actitivity?&nbsp;Capstone Partners says that is. The Rock Fight's consigliere weights in. (11:25)</li><li>Support this weeks partners of The Rock Fight! Ibex, Fjallraven, Royal Robbins, Lems, and Conatus Counsel! (22:12)</li></ul> The Monday Boys are then joined by Darren Bush to talk about the following topics (26:22):<ul><li>Why Darren is closing Rutabaga after more than 25 years of ownership.</li><li>How his personal journey—from epidemiologist to retailer to chaplain—shaped his outlook.</li><li>The state of specialty retail, from margins to customer service.</li><li>Why experiential opportunities like paddling schools and Canoecopia still matter.</li><li>The challenges of succession planning and selling independent shops.</li><li>What the closures of Rutabaga, Summit Hut, and Next Adventure say about the industry.</li><li>Darren’s proudest moments and the thousands of hugs he’s received from grateful paddlers.</li></ul> Finally for The Parting Shot, Colin thinks the outdoor industry may be a little to concerned with that 'seat at the table' and needs to get a little louder in the face of recent events. (43:40)Thanks for listening! The Rock Fight is a production of <a href="https://my.captivate.fm/rockfight.co" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rock Fight</a>, LLC. Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's semi-weekly newsletter by heading to www.rockfight.co and clicking Join The Mailing List.Please follow and subscribe to The Rock Fight and give us a 5 star rating and a written review wherever you get your podcasts.Want to pick a fight with The Rock Fight? Send your feedback, questions, and comments to <a href="mailto:myrockfight@gmail.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">myrockfight@gmail.com</a>.

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Rutabaga’s Last Paddle: Another Outdoor Retailer Closes Shop

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