Lexington's 108-year-old Phillip Gall's becomes Benchmark Outdoor Outfitters
Benchmark Outdoor Outfitters, which has owned Phillip Gall's Outdoor and Ski Store in Lexington's Woodhill shopping center since 2007, is changing the store name and adding a new "business vision" this week.
Benchmark marketing manager Sarah MacHarg said the store, Benchmark Outdoor Outfitters, would team with its sister store in Blue Ash, Ohio, near Cincinnati.
Benchmark will have a stepped-up commitment to providing outdoor activity education to customers, including public boat demonstrations, hikes and instructional clinics. The store also will offer more products, styles and options.
"If we sell the equipment and gear, we're also going to provide the staff to help you through that experience the first time or two," MacHarg said.
Another change is that the store no longer will be confused with Galls Inc., a retailer nearby on Palumbo Drive that sells police and tactical gear.
MacHarg said the two stores occasionally get each other's mail and customers.
In 1983, Gall's sold its public safety equipment business to Alan Bloomfield, who built it into one of the nation's leading public safety equipment suppliers before selling it to Aramark Corp.
MacHarg said that in addition to enriching the store's offerings, Benchmark would become more involved with local charity work and plans to team with local artists and vendors to better market Lexington-area merchandise.
Gall's got its start when Isaac Gall, an immigrant from Lithuania, and his father, Phillip, started the Gall's store in downtown Lexington in 1904 as a second-hand shop on Water Street. The store moved to South Upper Street in 1928; 230 West Main in 1972; to the now-defunct Lexington Mall in 1983; and to Woodhill in 1993.
In 2007, Phillip Gall's filed for bankruptcy, citing competition from the Internet and big sporting goods chains.
Benchmark bought Gall's name and other assets from a bankruptcy trustee.
This story was originally published June 27, 2012 at 3:08 PM with the headline "Lexington's 108-year-old Phillip Gall's becomes Benchmark Outdoor Outfitters."