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Lincoln, NH the heart of the White Mountains:

It's a different world

These are challenging times for all of us. Some have lost loved ones, some have lost their jobs. Many are isolated from our families — especially those with elderly relatives.  Others are on the front lines trying to help in various ways: medical workers, checkout people at supermarkets, and other essential roles.

We know that while all of us have challenges, everybody’s situation is unique. We all have different hopes, dreams, fears and realities. We can only imagine the difficulties you face. We wish you all the luck and good fortune in navigating this new reality.

Burgeon takes a stand

Just over a month ago, Burgeon converted its production from outdoor apparel to making masks. As soon as we let people know what we were doing, we began to receive requests. Friends, customers, nonprofits and other small businesses wanted to buy masks from us. It quickly became apparent that our business would be stronger than ever. We had more interest than we could possibly handle. People were willing to pay as much as $50 for a mask. 

So what did we do? We started giving the masks away for free. No charge whatsoever, not even for postage.

We started off giving them to local healthcare providers such as Ammonoosuc Community Health Services, who needed them for presenting patients. The Massachusetts Association of the Blind was next. Then we heard from Taravista, a provider of mental health services in Massachusetts who did not have masks for their staff. A customer told us about Cathedral Towers, a nursing home in Atlanta that had zero masks. We sent masks to them as well.

Locally, we have donated masks to:

Linwood Community Volunteers

Loon Mountain Ministry

North Woodstock Post Office

Price Chopper

Loon Mountain

And many other local businesses

We started hearing from individuals and families in need. People needed masks to go grocery shopping, make food deliveries for elderly relatives or neighbors, and to go to the drug store.

So then what? We started making masks available to New Hampshire residents — once again, free of charge. No shipping, no handling, free. We started shipping them to Maine, Vermont and Massachusetts as well. Next — all of New England.

We will continue to supply these masks free of charge to those in need until they are no longer needed or until we can no longer sustain our business.

Our commitment moving forward

I founded Burgeon Outdoor because I believe that mountain communities are valuable resources not only to the people who live there, but also to the outdoor community and our nation as a whole. I wanted to create a company that not only produced great products made in these communities, but that improved their social fabric as well, making them stronger and richer places to live as well as visit.

While we are committed to making outstanding outdoor apparel here in Lincoln, we understand that right now what our community needs is masks. We are committed to providing them. The mountains that surround us here in New England are hundreds of millions of years old. They will be here for the rest of our lives. We are doing our part to make sure we are all able to enjoy them on the other side of this pandemic — and when you do, we hope you come by to pay us a visit.

Thank you to our customers for making this possible. Without you, we could not make these masks and donate them to organizations and individuals in need. Thank you for allowing us to make a profound difference to those in need at this critical time.

If you know of a New Hampshire healthcare company, community service nonprofit or other organization in need, please email us at info@burgeonoutdoor.com.

On behalf of everyone at Burgeon, we wish you, your family and friends safety and good health in the days ahead.

 ~ Rudy

 

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 environment 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:  Three weeks ago, Burgeon converted its production from its own products to making masks for organizations and individuals in need, free of charge.  Burgeon has concentrated its donation efforts on organizations that currently do not have the means to protect their people/patients.  In the past few weeks, Burgeon masks have made a positive impact in the lives of tens of thousands of people.

“We on the front lines of community aid are so thankful for Burgeon. Without us even having to ask them, they dropped masks off when they saw the local need. So pumped to have you guys in town.” Marcus Covey -- Loon Mountain Ministry

"What a fabulous company! They have “saved the day” by quickly switching from manufacturing apparel to sewing up bandanas in the form of quality masks to help protect our medical providers. Thank you for your service to the community!"  Jill Kimball -- Ammononoosuc Community Health
 
"Please pass along to your team that thanks to your shipment, we have been able to follow local, state, and national guidelines in carrying out our vital mission. Within days of learning that the local public schools would be shutting their doors, Gather quickly ramped up our Meals4Kids program, which normally covers the 10 free and reduced meals per day that vulnerable children miss out on during school breaks. We are providing right around 7000 meals per week to those kid’s families, every week, in 5 towns in the Greater Seacoast. We have also ramped up our pantry-market operation, mobile meals for seniors, and community open market— and literally could not have safely accomplished any of these programs without the masks that your company so generously donated. 

In difficult times, frontline organizations like Gather count on the support of companies like Burgeon Outdoor, and are especially proud that this kind of generosity is coming from a home state company." Scott McKee -- Board President, Gather

The thousands of masks that Burgeon has donated to dozens of organizations over the past several weeks have made an impact.  Grocery store workers at our local supermarket are better protected, meals are being taken to those in need and our healthcare workers are better protected.  The masks may be small, but their impact is huge.

We have received so many notes of kindness and heartfelt gratitude over the past weeks.  We are honored to serve in this time of need and look forward to the day when our masks are no longer required.
 
“We would like to thank all of our customers for supporting our mission during these tumultuous times.  Your purchases allow us to continue our efforts to support local organizations.  We are 100% focused on making a difference in the lives of those in need at this critical moment. You have made this possible.  Thank you.” Rudy Glocker -- Founder, Burgeon Outdoor

To read more about the impact of Burgeon masks, please see the following:

Granite State Manufacturers Re-tool to make PPE

A Lifeline and Call to Action - NHPR

Seacoast Online Community View Guest Opinion

Read a letter from Burgeon's Founder, Rudy Glocker

 

 

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 environment 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.

To combat the shortage of surgical and other masks, Burgeon is participating in the #millionmaskchallenge. Effective yesterday, Burgeon converted 100% of its production to create reusable cotton face masks to be donated wherever the need is greatest. A number of organizations

Highlights and photos from Burgeon's First Community Night

Burgeon is in the process of developing the next generation of women's outdoor apparel -- all made right here in the mountains!  Over the past few weeks we have been revising and refining our designs and are currently working on creating our next series of prototypes. We hope this next round of prototypes meets our standards and permits us to move forward to production!

 Lincoln, New Hampshire, the heart of the White Mountains

Reviews

"I was up in Lincoln and just happened to run across this store . ..  ended up buying this mid layer. I wore it out of the store, and haven’t wanted to take it off since.  It’s super warm and comfortable.” Neil S

“I used the Franconia as a mid/outer layer in 3 activities: hiking, skiing, running.  Performed extremely well every time. Ventilating great at hiking . . . very warm and comfortable as a midlayer for skiing - allowing upper body movement and just tight enough in the hip area to prevent the cold getting in.  Winter runner’s best friend.” Aljosa

"It is an amazing, comfortable, versatile piece that I have been wearing non-stop. Originally I bought it for cross country skiing and it’s great for that. But it is just so comfortable, breathable and warm... that I also wear it for lots of other things. I wore it on a long haul flight, I wore it running. I even wore it over a black cocktail dress... The only problem is finding a time to take it out of the rotation for washing. I need another one.”  Andrea

Why

The weather in the White Mountains changes all the time -- sometimes by the minute depending on where you are.  The woods can be warm, the summits cold and whether you are on the north or south side of the mountain can make a huge difference.  This calls for a mid layer that will keep you warm whether by itself or in combination with other layers. Requirements; warm, breathable, flexible, quick drying and of course, comfortable.

How

Polartec Power Stretch Pro:  53% Polyester, 38% Nylon, 9% Spandex.  Made in the USA! Material is Bluesign certified. YKK Zippers Made in the USA.  Hand stitched in Lincoln, NH and Fall River, MA.

Features and Benefits:

    Polartec 4-way Power Stretech for superior movement and fit
    Merrow Active Seam for increased stretch
    Velour lining for on skin comfort
    Thumb holes for improved hand coverage and layering
    Extended length ensures lower back and wrist coverage while active
    Integrated balaclava/hood for complete coverage in cold and windy conditions
    Two Chest pockets for quick access
    Two interior pockets for close to body storage

 

Activities

Hiking, Backcountry skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Downhill Skiing, Snowshoeing, hanging around the house on a cool day -- anytime you need to stay warm.

Story behind the name:  The Franconia Ridge is a famous destination for hiking in the White Mountains.  The above treeline ridge offers spectacular views on a clear day, and it is right up the road from Lincoln, New Hampshire -- home of Burgeon Outdoor.

Retail Price

$179. Blog readers can save 25% by using code “Blog” at checkout.

Shop the Franconia Now

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 environment 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.

 

We wanted a jacket that could handle those extremes and designed it to have features you want for that type of challenge.  Whether you wear it on Mt. Washington, another NH 4000 footer or just around town, our Washington Softshell will keep you warm

“I really enjoy working at Burgeon.  I know both my work and ideas are valued and appreciated.  The fabrics we are using are amazing. I love the sustainability of the tencel fabric in the Flume Base Layer as well as the recycled polyester in the Washington Softshell. The flexible hours they offer allow me to pick my son up from school -- which is wonderful.” - Cathy Duffy

Burgeon is proud to support Ski for MS at Loon Mountain this Saturday, February 1st. Ski for MS is bringing the POW to Loon Mountain with the all new Vertical Challenge: ski 450,000 vertical feet and raise critical funds for families living with MS. 

Burgeon presents New England Disabled Sports (NEDS) with a check for $1500. Burgeon's mission is to help mountain communities flourish. One of the ways we do this is by donating a portion of all sales to local initiatives. If you support NEDS, shop Burgeon!

Burgeon takes major strides in the development of their women's line and introduces fit model and field tester Alexandra Roberts!

Today marks the start of a new 'old' tradition at Burgeon -- the passing out of the Thanksgiving turkeys.  Today each Burgeon employee received a turkey for their Thanksgiving dinner.

Many years ago, employers would provide turkeys to their workers for Thanksgiving.  I remember when I worked at Mingo non-ferrous metals how the employees would literally line up at the back of a truck while the owner of the foundry passed down turkeys to each employee.  It was quite a sight and their were smiles everywhere.

Our mission at Burgeon is to create outdoor apparel in the communities that inspire its use.  One of our values is that we treat our employees well --- by well we mean giving them flexible working arrangements, health care for full time employees, as well as a percentage of each Burgeon sale.

Thanksgiving Turkeys are now a part of our values and a new tradition.

We hope you join us and support us in returning the manufacturing of outdoor apparel to communities such as Lincoln, New Hampshire.

We wish you a happy Thanksgiving.