5.11 Tactical, an American apparel brand that sells outdoor clothing and tactical equipment, is eyeing a late fall opening for its first Johnson County store, according to company officials.
Where exactly? With a potential location at 12010 Metcalf Ave. in Overland Park, the retail chain is taking over a roughly 4,500-square-foot space in Overland Crossing.
- Jason’s Deli had formerly occupied the location in the shopping center.
The details: In addition to selling outdoor clothing and tactical equipment, 5.11 Tactical also has footwear, accessories and uniforms.
- The company primarily targets the military, law enforcement and public safety personnel market, as it sells uniforms and accessories for those professions, according to its website.
- However, everyday apparel and equipment for the outdoorsy man or woman, such as boots, backpacks and athletic wear, are also sold by the retailer.
Background: Based out of Irvine, California, 5.11 Tactical started as a clothing line created by rock climber Royal Robbins in 1968.
- In the late 1990s, the brand began turning its focus to military personnel after new owner Dan Costa noticed the 5.11 pants were becoming popular among those in the FBI Academy.
- It now operates a chain of 96 retail stores across the country, including another Kansas City area location in Independence, Missouri.
What’s with name mean? The name “5.11” comes from the highest rock climbing difficulty level that was listed in the Yosemite Decimal System, which was developed by Robbins in the 1950s.
- When initially created, a 5.11 climb meant “impossible, but occasionally someone manages to accomplish it.”