Lincoln, New Hampshire, the heart of the White Mountains

The tradition continues!  This is the third year we are giving Thanksgiving turkeys to all of our employees.  As this tradition grows in tenure, it takes on a new and special meaning each year – and it keeps getting better.

In 2019 we gave each employee a turkey.  In 2020 we gave a turkey and a pie from The Moon Café.  This year we added another special treat for our employees.

As we look back on 2021, we are thankful for many things:

• Our team is healthy – despite a couple COVID-19 scares, we are in good shape (fingers crossed) and so are our families.  May this trend continue.
• Our family and friends who have and continue to support us – on our good days, our not so good days, and the challenging ones as well.
• Organizations such as the Granite Backcountry Alliance, White Mountains Trail Collective, Friends of Tuckerman Ravine, the AMC and many others that help preserve and maintain our amazing outdoor spaces.
• Organizations such as Pemi Search and Rescue, Lakes Region Search and Rescue, Ammonoosuc Search and Rescue who help those of use in need.
• New England Disabled Sports, Mt. Washington Valley Adaptive Sports, and others who get more people outside enjoying the spectacular beauty of the White Mountains - and building confidence and self-esteem.
• For The Moon bakery down the hall and the occasional drop off of free pastries!
• Not only making it through our second year in business, but growing and getting stronger.
• Launching numerous new products despite a challenging supply chain and myriad obstacles.
• The support we have received from residents, visitors, businesses and non-profits throughout the White Mountains.
• Field & Stream naming our Flume base layer the “Best overall hiking shirt” for 2021!
• Our wonderful customers who make this all possible.

“Piglet noticed that even though he had a very small heart, it could hold a rather large amount of gratitude.”  Winnie the Pooh

We are not sure of the size of Burgeon’s heart, but the amount of gratitude we have for everyone who has helped us on this journey knows no bounds.  We are truly blessed and thankful this year.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

~Cathy, Marlies, Sabrina, Nilia, Justin, Charmaine, Tyler, & Rudy

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Burgeon Outdoor was founded in 2019.  Burgeon’s mission is to create a better tomorrow for mountain communities such as Lincoln, NH where we are based.  Burgeon proudly manufactures premium outdoor apparel in Lincoln, NH.  By manufacturing locally, Burgeon creates year round jobs in the White Mountains.  5% of Burgeon’s sales support its community and environmental efforts. To learn more, please visit our studio at the Village Shops in Lincoln, our website burgeonoutdoor.com or call us at 603-745-7123.

Just over two years ago Burgeon Outdoor opened for business.  It was, and continues to be one wild ride.  We are incredibly thankful to all of you who have supported us as customers, friends, and believers in our mission.

While we have had our ups and downs, we have never wavered in our commitment to creating a better tomorrow for mountain communities, and specifically Lincoln and the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

Just over two years ago, my wife and I welcomed our second son, Emmett into the world.  About six weeks later, Burgeon opened its doors for business.  As we look back over the past two years, there are many parallels.

The first few months of Emmett’s life, all he did was eat and sleep.  Yes, he would smile every once in a while (probably due to gas or seeing some bright shiny object), but he did not do much else.

When we opened our doors, we had one product, our Flume base layer.  Everything else you had to pre-order – and everything else was our Franconia mid layer, Washington softshell, and our Powerwool beanies.  That’s it.  In short, we did not do much either.

Similar to Emmett, we had our ups and downs.  We had some great days and some not so great days.  But Christmas was coming and things felt good.  People were excited to learn about us, hear our plans for the future, and word slowly started to spread.

Emmett was maybe not that ‘interesting’ the first few months of his life, but my wife, son Thornton, and I were always excited to see what Emmett would do next.  Many of those days felt the same – groundhog day in your very own home.

That said, you could feel the bonds forming.  The love we had for Emmett grew stronger every day.  Each smile, giggle, or just the feel of his warm hand brought a smile to our faces and a tear to our eyes.  You knew deep down in your heart this was something special, something that was impossible to explain, but easy to understand.  It was love, it was family, it was everything that was good in the world – and it was right before our very own eyes.

At Burgeon, things were strikingly similar, but in a different dimension.  We had days with zero customers, we had days with dozens.  It was frustrating and fun all at the same time.  The bonds were forming here too.

Each customer brought a smile to our faces.  Those of you who visited and said “I’ll be back next time” gave us hope and encouraged us to continue forward through some of the more difficult times.  Deep inside we knew we were onto something.  Something that resonated with people, not only in Lincoln and the White Mountains, but beyond our walls & immediate community.  Something special was happening, it was impossible to explain, but easy to understand.

Covid-19.  What can we say?  Emmett was stuck at home - no more play dates, or visiting relatives.  Trips to the playground became fraught with danger.  A world that was growing larger each day suddenly shrank to a shell of its former self.

Burgeon struggled during COVID-19 as well.  The lifts at Loon stopped running.  Our retail store closed for over two months.  Lincoln felt like a ghost town.  It was eerie.

Emmett, his brother, my wife and I spent a  great deal of time together.  While it was a very small circle, our bonds as a family grew tighter.  We grew closer and the bonds we held became even stronger.  We were in this together.  We were going to make it.

During the initial months of COVID-19 we switched 100% of our production to making masks.  Our team worked in the studio, but we kept our distance.  The sewing machines hummed and every few days we would ‘sell’ our masks for $0.  Let’s just say the demand was incredible.  We would ‘sell’ +500 masks in 2 minutes.  

Like my family, we grew tighter as a team.  We were united in a shared vision of making a positive impact during some of the darkest days we could remember.  We knew each mask would make a difference and we were excited to play a role.  We felt a sense of control, but also humility as we knew others were in far worse conditions.

Summer arrived.  The playgrounds re-opened.  The PPE shortage, while still serious, was in much better shape.  The virus seemed to slow down, especially here in New England.  Life might not have returned to normal, but we slowly re-established our social connections.

Lincoln bloomed that summer.  Town was packed - well at least there were long lines at all the drive-thrus!  Business returned, but it was still difficult.  While things were recovering, restaurants had capacity limits, many people felt uncomfortable in stores, and caution still filled the air.

As Emmett celebrated his first year, his progress was more clear.  He was walking.  He was ‘talking’.  He started to develop a personality.  You could see him acting more on his own, venturing forward, exploring.  Things were changing, and they were exciting.

Burgeon stumbled out of the pandemic.  Our development was months behind schedule.  New products were delayed, both due to our production and supply chain issues.  Right around our first birthday, however, we launched the Highlander Hoodie, which quickly became one of our top sellers.  Enthusiasm was growing.  We were developing our own personality, our own sense of style and vision.

Emmett’s second year was one of incremental growth - with plenty of ups and downs.  He could walk, but he fell constantly.  He would chase his brother and do a faceplant after two or three steps.  He would try to talk, but sometimes no words would come out.  He dropped things constantly.

Burgeon had its fits and starts as well.  Our sunseeker hoodie took twice as long to produce as we anticipated.  Our supply chain had issues with materials.  The wheels turned maddeningly slow at times, but we persevered.  It was a struggle at times, but it was always fun.

Emmett slowly but surely began to walk better.  Then, before you knew it, he could run across the yard.  He began to say real words (at least ones we could understand).  He improved his motor skills to the point where he could eat soup and get more in his mouth than on his chest.  The milestones were somewhat blurred to Lianne and me, but much more noticeable to those a little more outside our circle.

Burgeon slowly expanded its products in its second year.  We re-arranged the studio to accommodate more retail space and production space.  We were working so hard we barely noticed the difference.  Customers who had seen us three or six months ago would say, “Wow, the space looks great, look at all the new products”, and we would sometimes look at them a little funny, but they were right.  We were getting better everyday - things were coming together.

Just before our second birthday, Field & Stream named our Flume Base Layer the “Best Overall Hiking Shirt”, beating industry competitors such as Patagonia, the North Face, Fjallraven, and dozens of others.  What a great achievement to celebrate and to accelerate our momentum into Year Three.

I still remember holding Emmet in my arms just over two years ago.  We remember our first sale (Flume baselayer - that’s all we had!).  My love for Emmett grows deeper every day.  Our family bonds are continually strengthened.   Our conviction in Burgeon’s mission and business model deepens every day.

I am truly fortunate to have two healthy sons, a loving wife, and good health.  I am doubly blessed to work in Lincoln, the heart of the White Mountains, with dedicated and wonderful employees and a community and customer base that embraces our mission and values.  

To Justin, Cathy, Marlies, Sydney, Danyal, Sabrina, Adam, Katie, Charmaine, and Tyler -- thank you for all the work you have done in the past year to make this a reality.  People really do make the difference.  Your dedication, ingenuity, and shared sense of purpose are what allow us to be the company we are today.  I am forever grateful.

To our customers - thank you for supporting our mission.  Thank you for helping us to create a better tomorrow for both Lincoln and the White Mountains of New Hampshire.  You inspire us to get better every day and we promise to do exactly that.

Here’s to looking back on fond memories over the past two years.  More importantly, we are thankful for the foundations we have built and look forward with anticipation to many more special moments, memories, and great things to come in the year ahead.

On behalf of everyone at Burgeon and the Glocker household, we thank you for your continued support.  We cannot do it without you.  Stay tuned, more is on the way!

Rudy Glocker

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Burgeon Outdoor was founded in 2019.  Burgeon’s mission is to help mountain communities flourish.  Burgeon proudly manufactures premium outdoor apparel in Lincoln, NH.  By manufacturing locally, Burgeon creates year round jobs in the White Mountains.  5% of Burgeon’s sales support its community and environmental efforts. To learn more, please visit our studio at the Village Shops in Lincoln, our website burgeonoutdoor.com or call us at 603-745-7123.

Adam Keul has traveled all over the world over the course of his life, and he’s worn a lot of hats along the way. He’s been an elite pole vaulter, a college professor, a tourism geographer and an entrepreneur, and each chapter of his life’s story has been as interesting as the last.
 
But no matter where he’s gone or what he’s done, Keul maintained his unique passion for sewing, and now the former Olympic hopeful is making the most of his time away from academics by lending his talents to Burgeon Outdoor.
 
A fascinating life story
 
Originally from Tyler, Texas, a small city not far from the border of Louisiana, Keul was taught at a young age how to sew by his mother and grandmother. Over time he learned to sew clothes, furniture and just about everything else as he nurtured the passion alongside his other big love, track and field.
 

One of the top pole vaulters in the country, Keul starred at John Tyler High School before going on to compete collegiately at the University of New Mexico and then at Stephen F. Austin. By the time he was finished, Keul was a four-time All-American and placed second in the NCAA during the 2001 indoor season.
 
Following his graduation in 2002, Keul began training for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. To help support himself financially, Keul combined his track and sewing talents and started a business where he and a coach would help local track team’s repair their pole vault mats.
 
“We would go, bring all of our sewing machines and the equipment and sewed different covers,” Keul said. “It’s the kind of thing where if it gets a big rip in it, there are so few people who actually know how to sew and know how the pole vault pit is supposed to be, so it was always a win-win because we could make good money and really help out.”
 

Keul wound up qualifying for the Olympic Trials but not for the U.S. Olympic team, so while preparing for his next chance in 2008 he began working towards his Master’s at Arizona State and then his PhD at Florida State. In the meantime he continued pole vaulting, traveling all over the world to compete - including winning the Slovenian National Title.  He did qualify for the 2008 Olympic Trials, but he ultimately decided to end his Olympic dream to focus on the next stage of his life.  “For a long time I couldn't decide whether I wanted to be a student or an athlete, so I did both,” Keul said. “But eventually when you’re trying to write your dissertation you have to make a choice.”
 
Keul’s doctorate studies focused on tourism and geography – specifically Cajun swamp tourism like what you’d see on Swamp People – and eventually his academic work would bring him to New England. He first joined the maritime studies department at UConn Avery Point and then to nearby Plymouth State University, where he currently serves as director of the university’s Tourism Management and Policy program.
 
Currently on leave from Plymouth State, Keul has spent the last year working for various tourism-related businesses in the area, including Alpine Adventures and the Ice Castles. By joining the Burgeon Outdoor team, Keul is able to get back to his sewing roots while continuing to immerse himself into the local community.
 
Making a difference
 
As a geographer with a wealth of knowledge about the world economy, Keul understands better than most how global supply chains and economic conditions can often lead to production being moved overseas, as well as the resulting consequences. Because of that, he has a unique appreciation for Burgeon’s commitment to manufacturing apparel within the local community.
 
“I teach economic geography a lot, and that’s a class where I talk about the problems that Burgeon is trying to address,” Keul said. “So I’m well aware of how textile manufacturing occurs around the world, how the garment industry works and how there’s a reason we talk about sweatshops, so the fact that they’re trying to directly counter that story, that’s just as important of a part of it as the actual fact that I know how to sew.”
 
“And then obviously, the environmental impacts too, those can go hand in hand. The social impact and environmental impact, often we treat them like they’re two different problems, but they’re really not,” he continued. “They come from the same kind of system, so attacking it from within is more of a practical way to change the world. We spend a lot of time writing about it and theorizing but in a lot of ways this is walking the walk.”
 
In addition, Keul said he also loves getting to further immerse himself in the White Mountains community, and Burgeon has been an ideal place to do so.
 
“I knew going into it that a lot of it was going to be me fitting in with the group there and sitting around and telling stories,” he said. “So I really love it, it’s awesome.”

"Adam brings a great work ethic to Burgeon.  He is always looking to improve his skills, learn new ones, and is the first to volunteer to help out.  I can see why he was such a successful athlete.  He is a great addition to our team both for the work he does as a stitcher, but more importantly how he makes everyone at Burgeon a little bit better."  -- Burgeon Founder Rudy Glocker
 
If you’d like to meet Keul or any other member of the Burgeon Outdoor team, come on by the store. Burgeon Outdoor is open Sunday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Thanks for reading our blog.  You can save 20% on your next Burgeon order with coupon code "Adam", now through May 31st, 2021.

Meet our employees!

Cathy Duffy

Marlies Holmes

Danyal Bansar

Justin Walsh

 Shop Burgeon Products here

Burgeon Outdoor was founded in 2019.  Burgeon’s mission is to help mountain communities flourish.  Burgeon proudly manufactures premium outdoor apparel in Lincoln, NH.  By manufacturing locally, Burgeon creates year round jobs in the White Mountains.  5% of Burgeon’s sales support its community and environmental efforts. To learn more, please visit our studio at the Village Shops in Lincoln, our website burgeonoutdoor.com or call us at 603-745-7123.

When Burgeon Outdoor was founded in 2019, a big part of the company’s mission was to deliver high-quality outdoor apparel made right here in the White Mountains.  But in order to make that dream a reality, Burgeon needed to assemble a high-quality production team.  In late 2019, Burgeon welcomed Danyal Bansar who has helped elevate Burgeon’s production to new heights.

Danyal joined Burgeon Outdoor in November 2019 after a distinguished decade-plus career in production stitching. Since her arrival she has played a key role in the production of Burgeon’s most popular products, and if you were among the many to try out a Highlander Hoodie this winter, there’s a good chance she helped make it.

In high school Danyal was a member of Littleton High School’s 1995 and 1996 state championship cross country ski teams (not just our State Champion Stitcher, our 2x State Champion Stitcher!).  She fondly recollects the team spaghetti dinners, the long bus rides to and from competitions -- and especially honking the bus horn at late night hours to let everyone in Littleton they were returning home victorious.  A big thanks to coach Griffin and all her teammates for the memories.

Danyal started her stitching career at Genfoot's Littleton facility.  “Before I went to Genfoot I hadn’t stitched, then I went to Genfoot and it became what I loved to do,” Basnar said. “I was originally just going to get a job and then I found out it was my passion.”  She was there for 11 years.

When Basnar moved on from Genfoot she initially thought she’d wind up doing something different, but then an opportunity to continue stitching at Burgeon opened up and she jumped on the opening.  Since her arrival, Basnar’s work ethic and efficiency has made a big impression on her new colleagues.

“What I love about her is she’s worked in legitimate production factories and manufacturing environments which means she approaches this job with that same mindset,” said Burgeon Outdoor operations manager Justin Walsh. “Her superpower is her experience in production mode. She definitely shows up every day, she’s here early, and she’s head down working her butt off from the moment she shows up to the time she leaves.”

Though she had not previously worked on outdoor apparel like Burgeon’s, Basnar said she enjoyed getting the chance to try something new. As a nature lover who likes going on short hikes in places like The Basin, ice skating in the winter, and trips to swimming hole.  She appreciates that she can both enjoy the fruits of her own labor while playing a role in its creation right here in the White Mountains.

“I love what Burgeon stands for and that they’re making their own products and that I get to be a part of that,” she said. “I like making something from the start and seeing the finished product when it’s done, when it doesn’t look like it’s anything and then it becomes clothing.”

Danyal is no longer with Burgeon Outdoor.

Meet other team members:

Marlies Holmes

Cathy Duffy

Justin Walsh

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Burgeon Outdoor was founded in 2019.  Burgeon’s mission is to help mountain communities flourish.  Burgeon proudly manufactures premium outdoor apparel in Lincoln, NH.  By manufacturing locally, Burgeon creates year round jobs in the White Mountains.  5% of Burgeon’s sales support its community and environmental efforts. To learn more, please visit our studio at the Village Shops in Lincoln, our website burgeonoutdoor.com or call us at 603-745-7123.

Lincoln, NH the heart of the White Mountains

Where last spring was marked by uncertainty and restrictions, this spring brings the renewed promise of a full spring season (pray for snow!) in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Burgeon Outdoor is honored to support the return of one of the region’s premier backcountry events, the Granite Backcountry Alliance’s fifth annual Wild Corn Shindig.

Burgeon is proud to serve as sponsor for the Wild Corn Shindig, which will take place on Saturday, April 3 at the King Pine Ski Resort in Madison, N.H. and will run from 9 a.m. to sunset.

The all-day springtime party, which is back after a one-year break, will feature live music, demos, food and drinks, games and lots of backcountry terrain and tropical outfits.  For a complete schedule and list of events, please visit Wild Corn.

Tyler Ray, principal of the Granite Backcountry Alliance, said the event will be COVID compliant and that measures have been taken to encourage social distancing. He added that the new venue at King Pine has an expansive base area that will allow people to space out and that he’s confident in the backcountry ski community, which he said is uniquely well prepared when it comes to taking protective measures.

“We have had events in the fall and winter and now the spring, the way we’ve been able to manage that is we have a user group that is educated around being prepared when you go out into a ski tour, about the equipment, analyzing weather,” Ray said. “So it wasn’t a stretch for this group to embrace compliance measures for COVID.”

This year’s Shindig will feature live performances at the main soundstage throughout the day, with the Jason Spooner Band headlining at around 5 p.m. after performances by Farm to Table, Shark Martin and Rek’lis.

Another highlight will be the Wild Corn Skimo Race at 4 p.m., and throughout the day all of the lifts will be closed so the entire mountain will be open for guests to skin and ski at their pleasure. The Lostbo Pub and mid-mountain cabin will be open for barbecue and beer as well, and a children’s lift will be available for young kids to enjoy the slopes as well.

There will also be raffles, silent auctions and other prizes, and the proceeds raised will help support the Granite Backcountry Alliance’s mission to advocate for the interests of backcountry skiers, as well as to help develop new backcountry ski terrain.

“We’re honored to partner with the Granite Backcountry Alliance because they’re doing great things here,” said Burgeon Outdoor founder Rudy Glocker. “Both for the environment and because they’re bringing people together for their love of the mountains, love of New Hampshire and their love of the community and all it has to offer.”

“Burgeon has been an incredibly loyal sponsor and they absolutely stepped up to sponsor our event,” Ray said. “It’s great to see a start-up in Lincoln step up and take the initiative. We’re happy to partner with Burgeon and Rudy’s leadership and commitment to the community is very impressive and these are the brands we want to align with and be with.”

Tickets are $30 for GBA members and $35 for non-members, and for those who wish to take part in the Skimo race, entry is $45 for members and $50 for non-members and includes access to the rest of the event as well. Children age 10 and under get in free, and Apres tickets are available for entry at 4 p.m. through sunset for $15 (members) and $25 non-members.

Tickets can be purchased online at: https://www.skireg.com/wildcorn

Shop Burgeon Products

Burgeon Outdoor was founded in 2019.  Burgeon’s mission is to help mountain communities flourish.  Burgeon proudly manufactures premium outdoor apparel in Lincoln, NH.  By manufacturing locally, Burgeon creates year round jobs in the White Mountains.  5% of Burgeon’s sales support its community and environmental efforts. To learn more, please visit our studio at the Village Shops in Lincoln, our website burgeonoutdoor.com or call us at 603-745-7123.

Lincoln, NH the heart of the White Mountains

Today is Sydney’s last day.  For those of you who have not met her, Sydney is a valuable member of the Burgeon Team, a talented stitcher, and a lovely person.

As we celebrate her leaving, we have mixed emotions.  We are very excited for her and her future and want nothing but the best.  We also know that Burgeon will not be the same without her.  We will always remember her with a smile on our faces and a big warm fuzzy in our hearts.

Sydney joined our team in May of last year.  She had just graduated from Plymouth State and New Hampshire was slowly, but surely opening up for business.

It was a challenging time for Burgeon.  The pandemic had severely hurt our sales.  We were well behind our production goals for the summer season.  Demand was questionable - -would people return to Lincoln?  In short, when Sydney joined our team, the outlook was far from rosy.

Sydney brought more than her hard work and talent to Burgeon.  She brought a breath of fresh air at a time when we desperately needed it.  We will be forever in her debt for leading us in spirit during this difficult time.

Today we celebrate Sydney’s burgeoning into the next phase of her life.  We’ll always have a machine for you, but deep down inside, we hope you never need it.

Sydney, thank you for all you have done for Burgeon.  Burgeon would not be where it is today without you.  We are forever grateful for all your contributions.

To whom it may concern:

Dear Sir or Madam:

It is my honor to write this recommendation letter on behalf of Sydney Moquin.
Sydney was employed by Burgeon for ten months (May 2020 – March 2021). 

Sydney was an excellent employee – always on time, diligent, teachable, and hard worker.  More impressive, however, was the way she handled herself professionally.

Though she was just a recent college graduate, she handled herself with the grace and skill of people many years her senior.  Whether with a customer or a colleague, you could always depend on Sydney to put her best foot forward.

During our many hours working together I came to learn Sydney's strengths. She has a strong internal drive that lies beneath her calm exterior.  She takes an amazing amount of pride in her work, and more importantly from our perspective, she puts tremendous emphasis on helping her teammates.  She is fiercely competitive -- but she competes against herself (not her colleagues) to continually improve.

Burgeon was blessed to have Sydney on our team for ten months.  I recommend her without reservation.  She will always have a job at Burgeon, all she has to do is call.

Sincerely,

Rudy Glocker
Founder
Burgeon Outdoor