Hatchet Supply Co. opened its doors in 2013 just when the historic neighborhood of Brooklyn Heights was undergoing major changes. Inspired by this retail opportunity and his love of the outdoors, stemming from his time as an Eagle Scout, owner and native New Yorker Gene Han created a store selling high-quality gear and lifestyle goods with the younger, more selective generation in mind. We caught up with Gene to talk about opening his shop in Brooklyn, his second Los Angeles location, curating his products, and the evolution of the outdoor industry.
We asked:
What inspired you to open Hatchet Supply Co. in Brooklyn Heights?
I’ve owned and operated a shop called AlumniofNY.com since 2005, which specializes in boutique footwear. My experience buying for that business, as well as my own personal passion for high-quality gear and lifestyle goods led me to open Hatchet Supply in 2013. We’re located about two blocks from the East River. Pier 5 along the waterfront is amazing and I always tell everyone to check it out. We actually opened the shop as re-development was underway, so we saw the changes coming. Brooklyn Heights has always been a historic area with many landmarks, including The Low Mansion, The Herman Behr Mansion, and St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church. It’s just great walking the streets of Brooklyn Heights during work.
You also have a store in Los Angeles. How do these two Hatchet Supply Co. locations differ?
We weren’t actually looking to open more doors, but during my work trips to Los Angeles, I found a unique space in the Arts District for a great deal. The area was, and still is, undergoing amazing development and changes and it was impossible to pass up. The two locations stock the same brands, but selections within the brands are curated to each city, mostly due to the huge difference in climates. New York has four distinct seasons, so I can offer gear and apparel for all conditions, whereas in L.A., there are just two seasons, or really just one since it’s always nice, so we accommodate that distinction.
How do you curate which brands are sold in the store? What do you look for in products you’re considering, and how do you ensure your shop is environmentally friendly?
First and foremost, we curate our shop with apparel and gear that can serve a function for the outdoors and serve it well. Our definition of “the outdoors” is more universal and not pigeonholed to just mean “in the woods.” Rather, it encompasses everything: from being in the elements during your urban commute to traveling or going on a day hike. Everything is curated with that philosophy in mind. For example, when bringing in something like the Battenwear Packable Anorak or the Snow Peak DWR Comfort Pant, I’m not only making sure it’ll look great while casually going about your rainy Saturday in Brooklyn or commuting on the subway to work, but also that they serve a function for you. Because we’re a boutique with a smaller space, we’re limited in the variety of products we can offer, a challenge that ensures we only bring in the best crafted and well-made products. For example, while we can’t offer a huge range of sleeping bags, we sure are proud to offer Western Mountain sleeping bags, all Made in the USA. We also make sure to limit our carbon footprint by using only recycled products internally, and we provide charitable contributions to a few select local conservation organizations.
How have you seen the outdoor industry evolve since you star ted in this business?
I feel that the outdoor industry has evolved by leaps and bounds in the few years since I started in this business. The market continues to grow and I feel very fortunate to be involved at such a dynamic time. One very clear manifestation of this evolution can be witnessed at Outdoor Retailer. Once solely dominated by huge outdoor brands, the OR show has carefully curated more lifestyle brand participants.
This article was originally published in RANGE Magazine Issue Seven.
xx Alex