Well, it is finally time for a big ole email update. This time, an actual big update. There has been quite a bit in the works the past few months. Sorry for the radio silence.
San Util is moving out of Colorado to Bellingham Washington. It has taken years of thinking about it to come to this decision, but I am finally ready to take the step. I have a new commercial spot in Bellingham in an awesome part of town (about a 10 minute pedal to Galbraith).
So what is happening with San Util?
I am closing down our Winter Park location and moving the workshop with me out to Washington. It is going to be a tremendous amount of work, but I feel like it will be worth it. We are going to keep prototyping, custom frame bags and design in house or working with friends in the industry. A good bit of our production is in the middle of getting moved to different facilities around the country as we speak and a few more complicated bags will be made in Vietnam. We are going to do a big party to celebrate the past 5 years in Winter Park some time in June (Keep your eyes peeled). My coworker of almost 3 years Katie is going to be moving on to new ventures and hopefully have more time to bring more art and beauty into the world. She is good at that. Along with moving locations we are largely changing our business model. For the past 5 years we have been working in deep custom bags, taking ideas and learning how to turn them into reality. I think it has been the perfect way to grow a business like this and moreover grow my own personal skill set as a maker and designer. We have slowly been moving more and more away from customs and towards a product line that is solid and in my opinion beautiful. My designs are soooo much better than they used to be and I am confident that as we continue to grow, I am going to have the capacity to bring ever cooler projects to market (We have so much queued up for this year already that is going to be soooooo good). What else…. Well, feeling wise, I am nervous about this move. It has been such a journey the past 5 years and so many highs and lows. I know that taking the step isn’t going to be easy. Already 3 months out I am missing the Fraser Valley and everything I have built the past 7 years up here. My friends that have turned into family, adventures that have turned into normal life and a place that for the first time ever, I can say has truly felt like home.
So why move?
Well largely because of the age old saying “If you don’t fuck around, you wont find out”... or something like that. I believe that living here for the rest of my life could be an amazing life worth living, but I also believe that there will be a part of me that will always wonder what else is out there. There is an opportunity cost to every decision we make in life. The decision to stay here currently feels like a more risky decision than going out and seeing what else this life holds for me. And if I miss Winter Park too much, I can move back. I'm sure there will be a pint waiting at Hideaway for me.
Customs?
I am going to keep making frame bags in house for the time being, but I am going to be closing all custom color options on the rest of our products. We have built as much stock as possible the past few months in preparation for the move (and naturally are still out of stock of a ton), I am going to be opening waitlists for out of stock products and then when the orders come in I will email you. We have some super fun projects in route to us right now. About 300 panniers are in route, some really cool hip packs that will be released at the beginning of July as well as some massive 17” top tube bags. In the meantime, we are sewing everyday at the shop and have recently put 100 Roly Polys online, tons of Whirlpool Hip Packs, a huge run of Tool Rolls and Mac made a bunch of gear totes (get them while you can, they are going away soon).
If you have been a part of our story the past 5 years, Thank you! This has been a dream come true. Ever since I was a kid, I knew I wanted to be a business owner. I had no idea this is what that dream would turn into. I have so much more in the tank and so many ideas that I am excited to bring to life. I hope you keep on the journey with us. The goal is to write these email updates more often and to get better about posting updates on social media (I have such a love-hate relationship with the socials). Otherwise, If you are in the PNW please hit me up. I am going to be riding as much as I can and I can't wait to explore and have a new adventure again. We will have a small showroom inside of our industrial space, so you can come hang out and drink a pint.
If you do want to continue supporting - keep reading these email blasts. So many of you have been responding and giving real input and advice and over the years have become people I consider dear friends. Thank you! We are hopefully going to have more stock than ever and would love to provide you with gear! We couldn't have done this without all the word of mouth marketing that has happened. Keep that going, tell your friends about our next chapter.
We are going to be doing an ode to Winter Park shirt that will be available for our going away party. I would love to see them all. Swing by the shop and grab a bag or t-shirt these last couple months.
Love you all.
-
Adam
