Purple Moose hosts grand opening

WASHINGTON –A love of the outdoors inspired Stephanie and Scott Coultas to break away from the usual daily grind and open their own business.

The Purple Moose, 114 N. Main St., Washington, is an outdoor adventure apparel store on the Washington Square that is hosting its grand opening 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday.

The store opened at the end of September.

“We enjoy outdoor activities and this side of the (Illinois) River could use a store that sells these types of products,” Stephanie Coultas said.

Products include tough hiking/running shoes from Merrell and Salomon Shoes along with outdoor clothing and accessories at the Purple Moose.

“We are starting out on a small scale, but hopefully we will grow,” she added.

The Washington couple decided earlier this year that they wanted to chase after their dream of owning their own business before they were too old.

“We have two little boys and we love going out and exploring the trails and making each trip an adventure,” Stephanie Coultas said. “So the idea of an outdoor sportswear store seemed so perfect. “Then this spot on the square opened up, so it was if it was meant to be,” she added.

Everything started moving quickly for the couple after they got into the vacant storefront,

Stephanie Coultas said.

The focus on their store is quality outdoor wear.

“There are plenty of sporting good stores that can provide good, basic outdoor wear,” she said. “But we wanted to offer something not readily available everywhere and we wanted something that was going to wear well.”

That includes bringing in Salomon Shoes.

“I don’t think there are many places in central Illinois where these shoes are available,”Coultas said of the rugged shoes line.

“I’ve worn them and I am very happy with them so I want to offer products I believe in to our customers,” she added.

Grand opening specials featured Saturday include chances to enter and win free Smartwool socks, Life is Good water bottles, Pistil hats, Lole boot socks with matching hat and gloves, Locally Grown ball caps, and Salomon T shirts and caps.

Every Salomon shoe purchase will receive a free backpack, while supplies last, and every Merrell shoe purchase will be entered to win a $100 Merrell gift card.

Also, every purchase of $75 or more will receive a $10 gift card to be used on future purchases.

For now the store is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. But those hours could change as the business grows.

As for the name? Coultas said there is no inside joke or special story behind the Purple Moose.

“We were looking for something catchy that would be fun and still tell customers about what we are,” Stephanie Coultas said. “The Purple Moose just seemed to fit.”