Outdoors Starts In Here

Fun things to try on the 4th!

The 4th of July is almost upon us, and with that comes planning to make the most out of summer’s favorite holiday weekend. But if you’re like many struggling to make old traditions fun year after year, why not give some new activities a try? There’s tons to do outdoors in the summer in Wisconsin, and Shep’s has all the latest gear to get you on your way to a new favorite outdoor activity. Here’s a few suggestions:

1. Disc Golf: There are disc golf courses popping up all around Wisconsin, and with the start-up cost so low, people of all ages are heading out to throw some discs. Shep’s carries hundreds of discs from Discraft, Innova, and Disc Mania along with bags and other accessories to get new players started and seasoned players restocked.

You can find a local course here –> https://www.discgolfscene.com/courses/Wisconsin

2. Biking: With hundreds of miles of city, country, or forest trails available for biking, Wisconsin is one of the best places to get out on two wheels. And with bikes for people of all ages and abilities, Shep’s is your biking headquarters. Comfort, fitness, or mountain bikes – we have it all, and we have all the accessories available too. Already have a bike? Our skilled mechanic is here to get your bike running smoothly and safely in time for the 4th of July weekend!

Interested in finding a new trail? Start here –> http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/activities/bike.html

3. Water Sports: Living in Wisconsin and being on the water go hand in hand, and even if you’re a seasoned water goer, chances are there’s a new activity you’ve yet to try on our beautiful waterways. Love to kayak? Why not give stand up paddleboaring a try? Are you a local pro on a slalom ski? Wake boarding, wake surfing, and more will give you an awesome new skill to master. Or if you’re simply heading to the beach for a quick dip, Shep’s has a great line of men’s and women’s swimwear from Prana, Patagonia, Roxy, Quiksilver, United By Blue, Kavu, and more! Lastly, don’t forget your Sun Bum sunscreen before you hit the water!

Don’t forget to look and feel great this holiday weekend wearing great new apparel for men and women from Patagonia, North Face, United By Blue, Krimson Klover, Prana, Kavu, Toad & Co, and so many more!

Here’s to You, Dad.

Thanks dad, for everything you do for us. Thanks for the memories, for the adventures, for teaching us the little things like how to ride a bike and the big things like how to treat other people. We’re who we are today partially because of you and we want you to know we love you.

Our fathers and father figures deserve a little extra love this Father’s Day and we know just the spot to shop. You’ll find discounts on bikes, water sports, hiking essentials, clothes, shoes, winter toys, and cool accessories he’ll love. Show him how much you appreciate him. (And treat yourself too, while you’re at it!)

If you need a little inspiration, check out the ideas for dad we posted last year. Or use visit us in downtown Wausau where we’re ready to help.

Happy Father’s Day!

Our Staff’s Favorite Summer Gear! Brian’s Picks.

1. Oakley Sunglasses – Oakley has always been one of the most innovative companies when it comes to eye wear. I’ve been wearing Oakleys for years and still own my very first pair I bought for baseball. They offer awesome, comfortable lifestyle sunglasses as well as amazing, unique sport sunglasses. Oakley’s new technology, their Prizm Lenses, enhance colors and better your vision, boosting performance for specific sports. I have a pair for mountain biking that I wear for fun rides as well as races, and I’m telling you: they work. I see everything on the trail faster and more clear than I could with the naked eye. For road biking, I have a pair of the new Jawbreaker frames and they are the most comfortable sunglasses I have ever worn, plus they breathe extremely well and vent amazingly. Way to go, Oakley. I love you.

2. HO TX Slalom Skis – HO’s slalom skis are better than ever. They’re everything you would want for a fun day on the water… and more. They’re super stable and easy to ski, making waterskiing more inviting to people who may have been turned away form the sport before, and even more fun for the experts. HO has done their part and made a ski for everyone. They are awesome.

3. Mypakage Weekday Boxer Briefs – What is there to say…. they are the most comfortable underwear on the planet “for men”. They help me feel protected and safe all day long when I have them on. They make the worst days the best days. I feel like I’m on cloud nine when I am wearing them. They helped me find my dog when it was lost. They always keep me snug and happy. Mypakage is the best out there. You should try some for yourself.

All of this and MORE can be found at Shep’s. Don’t forget Father’s Day is coming up… we just gave you three super good ideas for dad.

Our Staff’s Favorite Summer Gear! Rachel’s Picks.

As you can tell from this post, I’m in it for the fashion. While I love, use, and appreciate the top-of-the-line techie gear we have at Shep’s, if I’m honest, the expanding departments of everyday apparel is more my thing. Here are a few of my favorite items this summer.

1. Ahnu Saratoga Sandal – They’re casual, simple, and comfortable right out of the box. Made from soft, genuine leather and nubuck, their footbed and generous cushion & support make these so much more than a flat, basic sandal. With jeans or shorts or skirts and dresses – they’re always the perfect option! (And yes, both colors are great!)

2. United By Blue Fairmount Crossbody Bag – United By Blue quickly became a staff favorite. Their super-soft organic cotton apparel is cute enough & comfortable enough to live in every single day of the week. Their bags are just plain amazing and come in tons of shapes and sizes to meet your preference. All made with genuine leather and organic canvas, they have purses, totes, backpacks, travel cases, pouches and lunch boxes. UBB’s good deed? They’re committed to removing 1 pound of trash from oceans and waterways around the world for every bag they sell. Win, win.

3. Toad and Co. Linette Skirt – Toad and Co. (formerly Horny Toad) is impossible not to love. Their collection so perfectly balances on the line of performance and casual, everyday apparel. While this washable linen chambray skirt I happen to love is tailored to their “lifestyle” category, many of their pieces are from wicking fabric, wrinkle free, and always perfect for active lifestyles as well as travel. This skirt is adorable for work, picnics, concerts, or summer parties. It’s a summer staple.

You might be surprised to learn that we have a store full of apparel like the pieces you see above. And through June, you can save 20% on apparel, accessories, footwear, and more. You’ll love what you find.

#TBT – Shep’s Throw Back Thursday

This Thursday (June 4), Downtown Wausau’s River District is up to something special. You can read more details on the event’s Facebook page here, but I’ll sum it up using their own words: Merchandise, Music, and More! Come check out all that Downtown Wausau has to offer with added specials like one-night-only discounts, live musicians throughout the District, and extra entertainment and activities from 5 to 8pm. You’ll want to bring your family and friends as this summer-long event takes flight THIS WEEK! (This is an ongoing event happening in our Downtown. Mark your calendars for the First Thursday of June through October and join us from 5-8pm for special themes and lots of fun.)

In honor of June’s theme “Throw Back Thursday”, we’re throwing it back to the early years of Shepherd & Schaller. Not all businesses can pull out newspaper ads from six decades and re-live the old memories of time past, but Shep’s can. Believe us when we say we’ve been doing this a long time. 🙂 Take a peek below and notice how much Shep’s has evolved over the years. Changing and growing our store to meet our customer’s needs and wants is one of our favorite things to do.

So, #tbt: