Vintage 1985 Adventure 16 Product Catalog 8.5\" x 11\" For Sale

The Vintage 1985 Adventure 16 Product Catalog is a collectible advertising piece featuring the brand Adventure 16. This original product catalog was created in 1985 in the United States, making it a unique piece of vintage memorabilia. Measuring 8.5\" x 11\", this catalog provides a glimpse into the products and services offered by Adventure 16 during that time period, making it a valuable addition to any collection of vintage advertising materials.Founded in 1962 in a La Mesa, California garage, Adventure 16 (A16) grew from a Boy Scout filmmaking project into a legendary Southern California outdoor outfitter. The iconic retailer closed its physical storefronts in late 2019 after 57 years in business, later transitioning into a digital-first heritage brand.Origins and Early Innovation

• The Name:Started by an Air Explorer Scout squadron and their leaders to fund a 16mm camera for documenting outdoor adventure films.
• Gear Design:Aerospace engineer and founder Andy Drollinger used aircraft-grade aluminum and new padding concepts to build lighter backpacks, early dome tents, and innovative water bags.
• Incorporation:Mic Mead purchased the company in 1970, steering its growth into manufacturing and specialty retail.

Expansion and Community

• Leadership:Mic\'s nephew, John Mead, became president in 1992 and expanded the footprint to seven Southern California retail stores.
• Employee Ownership:The company shifted to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in 1987.
• Community Hubs:A16 became famous for its expert staff, annual Mother\'s Day used gear swap meets, classes, and active support for local wilderness preservation.

Sale and Closure

• Wholesale Divestment:A16 sold its wholesale distribution division to Summit Distribution in 2014 to focus on core retail.
• Retail Shutdown:Facing steep pressure from online shopping and big-box competitors, the family and employee-led operation closed its remaining brick-and-mortar locations in December 2019.
• Digital Rebirth:The Mead family later revived the brand online as a digital storytelling and design-focused project.