As Civil Alchemy in Webster Groves saw an increase in demand for outdoor products during the pandemic, co-founder Ian VanDam decided it was time to expand.
“I knew it was the right time at the end of last year,” says VanDam, who was already considering the concept for the past several years. “People were talking more about how there were just so few options for outdoor retail in St. Louis.”
Get a weekly dose of home and style inspiration
Subscribe to the St. Louis Design+Home newsletter to explore the latest stories from the local interior design, fashion, and retail scene.
So this fall, VanDam opened Field Theory—a concept shop that focuses on outdoor apparel, gear, and inspired gifts—across the street from Civil Alchemy, at 8153 Big Bend in the Old Orchard neighborhood. The store specializes in high-quality, well-designed brands that might be lesser-known and cater to a variety of outdoor activities, including camping, hiking, climbing, skiing, and backpacking.
VanDam wanted to create an “emotional bridge” to the outdoors. “This state has some of the best kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, fly fishing, hiking, and mountain biking in the United States,” VanDam says. “It’s all at our backdoor, too. I want to be able to help create another channel for St Louis to feel connected.
“There’s this perfect balance and complement of people who are interested in the outdoors, who love to support local business, and who like things that are a little bit off the beaten path,” VanDam adds.
The inspiration for the shop’s name is two-fold, VanDam says. Conceptually, Field Theory pays homage to the psychological theory that examines patterns of interaction between an individual and the environment. “I saw this amazing connection between what I can do in the shop, the environment, and the outdoors,” says VanDam, “and how we could inspire people to take on a new life or hobby and try something new outdoors.”
On a personal level, VanDam was inspired by friends and family who’ve worked in professions such as geology and traveled on long-term expeditions. For VanDam, their stories created an emotional connection between the “vocational side of the outdoor experience” that inspired him to delve deeper into relationships between the natural world and field camps. “I was inspired by the scientific ethos behind why and how things are built for particular uses in the field or in the outdoors,” VanDam says. “The idea of going on a long-term excursion to study nature sounded like such an amazing experience.”
In the future, VanDam hopes that Field Theory will inspire more outdoor enthusiasts, who will in turn share about the store with friends and family. “I take a lot of pride in being a place that people actively seek out when they’re looking for something new,” VanDam says, “and exploring different products, ideas, and lifestyles.”
