Xplorer Maps put down more roots in Missoula, Montana, by opening a brick-and-mortar store in November, according to Greg Robitaille, co-founder and CEO.
“In recent years, casual discussions and considerations often led to Xplorer Maps opening a retail store,” Robitaille explains. “So, when word got out this past year that the adjacent space to our existing warehouse became available, we jumped at the chance to fulfill my vision of truly connecting people and place by emphasizing our local community in Missoula, Montana.”
The store at 1245 S 3rd Street W features more than 60-plus story maps and accompanying gifts like jigsaw puzzles, drinkware, blankets, natural stone coasters, kitchen towels, stationery, tote bags, and wood puzzles aimed at engaging individuals who embrace adventure, exploration, storytelling, and sharing memories, Robitaille notes.
The grand opening weekend was filled with prizes, music, food trucks, a wildlife presentation of amazing animals of the rainforest, and the launch of Xplorer Maps new storytelling series hosted by Mandela van Eeden, lead storyteller for the company and host of the podcast, The Trail Less Traveled.
“After months of preparation, we kicked off this new phase for Xplorer Maps with a ‘bang,’” Robitaille says. “We saw strong sales through 2023 and have met hundreds of passionate folks curious about the new neighborhood digs and anxious and willing to support another local business in Missoula.”
The Xplorer Maps journey began in 2010 with two brothers, Chris and Greg — one a talented, globe-trotting artist and the other an entrepreneurial geographer and outdoor enthusiast — who had a mission to create uniquely hand-drawn, antique-styled story maps of national parks and travel destinations, Robitaille explains.
With a full-time store manager and two part-time retail employees supporting the venture, the sky is the limit for the company and its new brick-and-mortar building space.
“As a boutique gallery and gift store, we’re more than just a place to shop,” Robitaille affirms. “We’re a hub for community and family-friendly events that celebrate the beauty of our planet and the importance of preserving it for future generations.”
