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CommentsGreen Dynamo
Dynamic Earth, the everything-for- outdoors-adventure store, got a green make over and a whole new location.
The Shop: Dynamic Earth, Green Circle Shopping Center, 1110 E. Republic Rd. Suite 108, Springfield, 417-877-8855
Atmosphere: From the minute I drove up to the new Green Circle Shopping Center, I no longer felt like I was in Springfield. It had the look and feel of outdoor shopping centers I’ve visited on trips to Colorado and Arizona, so I was excited to see what else the new Dynamic Earth had to offer.
I had visited the former Fremont location of Dynamic Earth many times, often to pick up a unique Christmas gift for a camp-loving family member (I recommend JetBoil products) or running gear for my husband. Once I bought a Timbuk2 laptop case for myself, so I was familiar with what Dynamic Earth had to offer. But I was still surprised by the store’s new digs.
The two-story store has a yoga studio, Dynamic Body, and a rooftop deck. The deck has a garden and is surrounded by trees, somehow possible on a busy street corner. The one element I noticed most about the new store is how much brighter it is than the previous location. The entire store is flooded with natural light. Another feature new to Green Circle is a climbing wall at the front of the store, where wannabes like me can pretend to be amazing mountain climbers, or real climbers can test out equipment.
Key People: Owner Matt O’Reilly turned his vision for a green shopping center in Springfield into a reality. The project received LEED Platinum Status due to its pervasive use of sustainable materials and green building techniques.
Hufft:Projects architects and engineering from Olsson Associates provided this futuristic shopping center with geothermal HVAC systems and daylight harvesting, just to name a couple of the super-environmental elements. My favorite LEED feature is the shared parking lots the shopping center uses with adjacent church neighbors. This allowed the structure to go up with as little land clearage as possible, protecting many of the trees that now make the rooftop deck so inviting.
What You’ll Find: If you love the outdoors, this is your store. But what if you hate wide, open spaces? Dynamic Earth can still be worth a stop. With an expanded selection of apparel for all types of activities—and one of my favorite collections of laptop cases, bags and backpacks in town—even indoor gals like me can find a reason to stop in.
I had my eye on a blue Cloudveil work-out outfit that may actually motivate me to move a little faster. The short sleeve top is $45 and the duo skirt is $40. Both items claim to keep you dry and pull the sweat away from your skin.
My husband, Matt Lemmon, editor of GO Magazine and a marathon runner, picked up a pair of blue Salmon running shorts for $35 and created a list of other long distance running items that he just had to have, including an Bruton Adventure Racing Compass for $39.50. (I guess for those times he gets a little off course.)
Upstairs is a variety of backpacks, sleeping bags, canoes and tents. The new store, with its expanded space, allows you to actually get in and try out your purchase, since most of the items are already set up. Extreme sleeping bags, including a Western Mountaineering bag for $385, hang against the back wall while kayaks are stacked in the middle.
I admit to being a slight backpack fanatic, so I was immediately drawn to a green Osprey backpack for $84. It’s comfy, and I didn’t feel like I was carrying around a large hiking backpack.
417 Verdict: While I admit I am not exactly savvy when it comes to shopping for outdoor equipment, I am a fan of Dynamic Earth. The staff has always been helpful, and their new store is more accessible than ever. Plus, in a world full of those who claim to be green, it is nice to find a place that actually follows through.
Savvy Shopper is a monthly opinion feature guiding readers to independent local stores. Have one to suggest? Visit 417mag.com and click Contact.
