Eastern Mountain Sports

Eastern Mountain Sports

Company type	Private
Industry	Retail
Founded	1967 (1967) in Wellesley, Massachusetts, United States
Founder	Alan McDonough, Roger Furst
Headquarters	Meriden, Connecticut , United States
Area served	Northeastern United States
Key people	Mark Walsh (CEO, as of 2012), Bob Mayerson (President, as of 2010), Will Manzer (former CEO)
Products	Outdoor apparel and equipment
Owner	Mountain Warehouse (since September 3, 2024)
Website	www.ems.com

Eastern Mountain Sports (commonly known as EMS) is a United States-based retailer specializing in outdoor apparel and equipment, with its headquarters located in Meriden, Connecticut. EMS primarily serves the Northeastern U.S. market, offering a range of outdoor clothing and gear from both well-known brands and its proprietary lines. The company also managed EMS Schools, which provided instructional courses in outdoor pursuits such as climbing, kayaking, and skiing, with its main facility situated in the White Mountains region.

History

Established in 1967 in Wellesley, Massachusetts by Alan McDonough and Roger Furst, EMS originally focused on supplying outdoor equipment to the Boston area. The inaugural store stocked products including Gerry outdoor gear and downhill skis. Following a merger in 1968 and relocation to a larger 10,000-square-foot space on Commonwealth Avenue, the founders sold the business in 1979 to The Franklin Mint, which was subsequently acquired by Warner Communications. After divesting The Franklin Mint, Warner Communications retained EMS before selling it to American Retail Group, controlled by the Brenninkmeijer family.

In 2003, under CEO Will Manzer’s leadership, EMS shifted its focus towards specialized outdoor equipment, unveiling a refreshed logo and moving away from mall-based outlets to stores embedded within local communities. The American Retail Group divested EMS to a group of investors led by J.H. Whitney & Company in 2004. Bob Mayerson assumed the presidency in 2010 while Manzer continued as CEO.

Versa Capital Management took ownership of EMS in 2012 and appointed Mark Walsh as CEO. By 2013, EMS operated more than 70 retail locations stretching from Maine down to Virginia. In April 2016, Versa’s Vestis Retail Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection; although it shuttered all Sport Chalet stores, EMS and Bob’s Stores remained operational.

Following Eastern Outfitters LLC's bankruptcy filing, Sports Direct International plc acquired both Bob’s Stores and EMS in April 2017. In May 2022, GoDigital Media Group purchased these chains with the goal of integrating content creation, community engagement, and commerce initiatives.

In June 2024, SDI Stores entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the third time in EMS’s history, announcing plans to close up to ten retail locations amid mounting unpaid obligations. The distribution center in Meriden was shut down, with online orders being fulfilled through remaining stores. By July 2024, SDI Stores declared the permanent closure of all remaining Bob’s Stores alongside select EMS outlets; liquidation sales commenced immediately. During these proceedings, approximately 24 EMS stores continued operating, including 15 designated as clearance centers.

On September 3, 2024, British outdoor retailer Mountain Warehouse completed the acquisition of EMS for $10 million, intending to grow the brand by opening up to 100 new stores over the forthcoming years.