Kayaks and canoes have
become big parts of the business,
with backpacking, biking and
outdoor clothing still the biggest
selling equipment. Even the ex-
cursion into high-end patio furni-
ture has been a positive. “We did
that to give something more to
sell in the summer. I figured even
the hardcore backpackers and
bikers needed a nice place to sit
and relax when they got home,”
he said.
Central Illinois has been a good
place for such a specialty retailer,
he said. “I’ve been able to make a
living at for 38 years. I don’t have
any regrets or second thoughts,”
he added.
If anybody would have the
opportunity to reflect on their life
decisions it would be Pestien. He
died while running in the 2011
Steamboat Classic nearly a year
and a half ago, but was revived
because a fellow runner got to
him and administered CPR until
an ambulance arrived.
“
It was definitely a sobering
experience. But I wouldn’t have
done anything different. I’m a
little bit slower now but I am
starting to get back into biking
and running,” said Pestien, 61. “I
put things into perspective. The
woman who signed me up to
run that race felt bad about what
happened but the way I look at
it is that if she didn’t I probably
would have had a heart attack
when I was running someplace
by myself, where I wouldn’t have
had the help I needed close by.”
Business has remained strong,
including during the recent reces-
sion. Pestien said even 30 years
ago he noticed that outdoor spe-
cialty stores seem to run counter
to the economy. “People kind of
revert back to a little simpler life.
For example, instead of expensive
vacations they go kayaking or
backpacking. So we’ve done ok,”
he said.
Pestien said some of the equip-
ment used in outdoor sports to-
day are improved from when got
into the business, including tools
for rock climbing that now allow
climbers “to push their limits a
little more”.
Shoes are lighter yet stronger,
as is other outdoor apparel, for
another example.
Hanging from the back wall of
the Bushwhacker store is some
of Pestien’s first outdoor gear
from when he started getting into
rock climbing. “Down jackets are
still down jackets but some of
the other stuff is different from
what we sell now. But it’s a good
reminder for me of why I got into
this business,” he said.
BUSHWHACKER
Metro Centre
4700
N. University St.
(309) 692-4812
Hours: Mon & Fri
10
a.m. to 9 p.m.;
Tues - Thurs & Saturday
10
a.m. to 6 p.m.
Offers a variety of equipment and ap-
parel for outdoor sports enthusiasts,
including canoeing and kayaking,
hiking and biking and snow skiing.
27
thePeorian.com
The Present
In the upper right corner is some of the original equipment that Rick Pestien,
owner of Bushwhacker, used when he started rock climbing and hiking while
in college. The other photos on this and the preceding page show equipment
the outdoors store sells today, including kayaks, bicycles and apparel.
