TOLEDO, Ohio — One University of Toledo graduate decided to use his entrepreneurial skills to open a new business in downtown Toledo for outdoor equipment and retail shop called Ridge & River.
Founder and 27-year-old, Kyle Boyers, along with his business partner, Connor Scott, celebrated the grand opening on Saturday after they held a ribbon cutting Thursday for the new store at 621 Adams St.
He's partnered with Metroparks Toledo to donate 1% of the store sales to youth Metroparks programs.
Boyers said this store is one-of-a kind for the area and will have new items depending on the season.
"Being able to give something to do beyond just those experiences, to be able to shop, walk around, take advantage of the cityscape: that was my kind of envision," Boyers said.
Crane Development also was a major factor being the developer and construction management to the store with the help of Matt Rubin and Julia Randles.
The project was a recipient of the City's White-Box Grant Program, which helped the store hit the requirements for fire and code standards.
Boyers said the store will provide a fresh alternative to what is out there and will blend well with the Glass City Metroparks Phase 2 opening in the summer when people can launch kayaks and enjoy other outdoor activities.
"So pairing gear with what the Metroparks are doing, what downtown is doing it just made perfect sense to be here," Boyers said.
The store will be open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m And Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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