The Wander North Georgia retail store is now a familiar fixture on Main Street – as ubiquitous as their logoed hats and shirts throughout North Georgia — and a must-see stop for visitors. But the Wander story goes beyond just merchandise.
As co-owner Josh Brown describes it: “We are a small locally owned and family run business in the middle of downtown Clayton. Our shop offers a wide assortment of gifts, Chacos sandals and boots, hiking and camping gear, other outdoor products, locally made items, packaged beer, dog toys, and a ton more. We also have popsicles and ice cream sandwiches available with a full kids play area complete with free WiFi, a big screen projector, and corn hole boards. We are proud to donate 1% of every purchase, every day to local non-profits.”
More than a story, Wander is an experience dedicated to the joys of the mountains and Rabun County. As Josh relates: “When we first started our ‘brand’ we never had any goals of opening a store. We simply began with the idea of trying to tell the stories of the people and places that call North Georgia home. That loose framework has evolved into a platform that we hope continues to grow beyond a store. We count ourselves lucky and humbled and everything in between that locals from all across North Georgia and visitors from all across the state, the region, and beyond find us interesting enough to support our small business.”
That business offers an eclectic mix of clothing, books, outdoor gear and accessories – all available in-store or online. The friendly and helpful staff is always ready to answer questions or offer a suggestion. Online orders get a hand-written thank-you note and returns are hassle-free.
Wander embraces a set of values it details on its website. Among those values are commitment to community, respect for people, sustainability and protecting the environment. Wander donates 1% of overall sales each month to a local non-profit and offers a $1 discount when you make a purchase using a reusable bag.
Wander lays claim to being “Clayton’s Best Outdoor Store” by delivering a softer, more welcoming approach to outdoor recreation — minus the typical jargon and intimidation. “Knowing why we do what we do helps us know what to do and how to do it,” Josh explains.
Wander North Georgia
87 N. Main Street
Clayton, GA 30525
Owners: Josh & Alex Brown, Jake & Courtney Scott
Phone: 770.750.4470
Email: contact@wandernorthgeorgia.com
Website: www.wandernorthgeorgia.com