Retailer Spotlight: Rove Goods
Santa Cruz-based Rove Goods opened their doors just a couple months ago, and hit the ground running with a nice selection of technical bags and accessories. With a focus on performance fabrics, on-the-go tech organization, and everyday carry goods, Rove offers a unique purpose-driven perspective in the retail landscape. We’re proud to have some signature ILE styles represented in their assortment. Check out our conversation with founder Ted Holladay below to learn more:
What’s the story of Rove Goods?
I have been a bag collector for many years, with well over 30 different bags in my collection. Some are rare, hand-made in Japan, several from the French brand Cote&Ciel, another custom hand-made in the UK, and lots from US brands. I have carry options for every situation… which my wife confirms is overkill!
Growing up I moved over 20 times before I turned 20, and have since moved over 10 times. I’ve landed in the Santa Cruz area, and finally have a place I call home. Being in motion must be in my blood, as I have an Airstream, an electric motorcycle, two cars, and I’m restoring my seventh sailboat. Oh, and my neighbor gave me a canoe. The word “rove" means “travel constantly without a fixed destination; wander.” Maybe that’s why I named the new bag shop I opened "Rove Goods."
I’ve wanted to open a bag shop for a while, and I lucked out on finding the perfect location to start out, right in-between Cat & Cloud Coffee and Illuminee on the West Side of Santa Cruz. The shop has been open for just a couple months now, and I couldn’t be happier.
I will also be running my design/branding studio, Studio Holladay from the location. Mixed-use is where I thrive! I live in the Santa Cruz mountains, and am excited to be back in the daily mix of the West Side of Santa Cruz!
What makes your shop unique?
Rove Goods has a focus on technical bags, and will eventually move into other Everyday Carry (EDC) goods, as well as potentially clothing. There isn’t another shop in the area that offers multiple brands like these under one roof. Most brands have their own shop, and don’t really sell to other bag shops, except for REI and the like. My focus isn’t on hiking and camping though, but gear for the on-the-go tech crowd. Backpacks, totes, and slings for all your tech gear––laptops, chargers, documents, cameras, cables, etc. I want to provide a location where someone can come in and try on different brands to find the exact bag and size that will suit their EDC needs.
Santa Cruz, known as an active beach town right next to the mountains, has a lot of shops that cater to the cycling, hiking, surfing, and skate crowds, but nothing geared towards the everyday carry world. The reception by everyone who has stopped by so far has been extremely positive.
All the bags feature the latest in technical fabric, with most being waterproof or water-resistant. Some of the brands I’m starting with are Inside Line Equipment, Black Ember, Mission Workshop, Cote&Ciel, Braasi, Alpaka, Able Carry, and WANDRD.
What ILE product stands out to you and why?
When I started researching brands to reach out to, ILE was at the top of my list. I’ve known about their quality, reputation, and style for a long time. Being that ILE is from Northern California, it made total sense to connect and see if Rove Goods would be a good fit for their brand.
There were two specific ILE bags that I was really interested in and had to immediately have in the shop… the Default for its carrying capacity while being lightweight, and the Race Day Bag for its versatility. I see the Race Day Bag as being a hit here beyond just its use-case for cycling, but for taking to the beach, rock climbing at Castle Rock, and more. I look forward to having a broad line of ILE products at Rove Goods, as I know the brand will be a perfect fit for the area.
Check out Rove Goods online, on Instagram, and at their brick & mortar shop in Santa Cruz.
All photos courtesy of Rove Goods.
