The beloved outdoor store and bike shop on Ballard Ave is reopening its doors in July with new ownership taking over.
Ascent Outdoors and Ascent Cycles shuttered unexpectedly in April, with owner Solon Scott announcing he was filing for bankruptcy.
The man now at the helm is Sandeep Nain, tech industry worker-turned mountain guide. After five years working for Microsoft, Nain founded guiding company Miyar Adventures in 2014, and has since expanded to include a gear store in Redmond.
“I want to bring back the local store, its welcoming nature, personable customer service, quality gear, and community events without competing with the bigger stores,” Nain told SNEWS.
“I believe that customer service is the key component of success. Additionally, by being Indian, I want to inspire persons of color that the outdoors is an inclusive environment.”
SNEWS reports that at least five of the former staff will return to work, and Nain will look at making a few changes, such as potentially absorbing the bike store back into the main shop.
In addition to his work with Miyar, Nain is also an instructor with Seattle Mountaineers, and has served on Everett Mountain Rescue for five years.