Inspiration & Stories

Sustainably-Minded Shops in Truckee

Sustainably-Minded Shops in Historic Downtown Truckee

Truckee’s locally owned businesses are part of what gives our mountain town its character. From outdoor gear and apparel to thoughtfully sourced gifts and secondhand finds, these shops make it easier to support local businesses while shopping with sustainability in mind.

Whether you’re looking for gear for your next adventure, a new favorite outfit, or a one-of-a-kind find, add these sustainably-minded Truckee shops to your list.

RMU Truckee bar and handcrafted skis on the wall.A crowd of people sitting at the bar inside RMU Truckee.

RMU Truckee

 

Part ski and bike shop, part restaurant and bar, RMU Truckee brings mountain culture under one historic roof. Located in the Krueger/White House, built in 1873, RMU is a gathering place for locals and visitors to shop, grab a drink, catch live music and connect with Truckee’s outdoor community.

RMU, short for Rocky Mountain Underground, grew from a group of friends making skis together into an employee-owned mountain brand with locations in Truckee, Breckenridge and Whistler. Beyond gear and apparel, the Truckee location regularly hosts community events and partners with local nonprofits.

Sustainability is also part of RMU’s approach, from thoughtfully sourced food and drinks to its ski manufacturing practices. The Truckee location is a certified California Green Business!

 
Exterior shot of Trout Creek Outfitters and Fly Shop.

Trout Creek Outfitters

Truckee’s dedicated fly shop, Trout Creek Outfitters is a hub for anglers of all experience levels. The locally owned shop carries fly-fishing gear and apparel and offers guided trips, rentals, fishing reports and local expertise for exploring the waters of the Truckee-Tahoe region.

Stewardship is central to the shop’s philosophy. Trout Creek Outfitters supports the health of Sierra Nevada rivers and streams through volunteer efforts, fundraising and partnerships with local organizations.

Stop in before heading to the river and ask the team what’s biting—they know Truckee-Tahoe’s waters inside and out.

Tahoe Mountain Life store interior showing apparel and accessories.

Tahoe Mountain Life

Tahoe Mountain Life, the sister store of Tahoe Mountain Sports, is a retail shop in downtown Truckee offering a curated selection of lifestyle apparel for the adventure-minded. Here you’ll find high-quality men's and women's clothing, footwear, and accessories that you can wear from the trail to après.

The bright and airy space is filled with brands at the forefront of sustainability: Patagonia, Cotopaxi, Vuori, On Running, and others. Plus, because of its southwestern exposure, Tahoe Mountain Life utilizes natural warmth and sunlight to highlight its unique curation and passively heat and cool the building through design.

After a visit to Tahoe Mountain Life, enjoy a stroll to the nearby Old Jail Museum to learn about Truckee’s history, or pop into Coffeebar, an Italian cafe next door with a gorgeous outdoor courtyard for passing the time with an espresso or baked treat in hand. 

 
An outfit from Juniper Boutique next to a sweater that says "meet me in the mountains".

Juniper Boutique 

  • Website
  • Address: 10056 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee, CA 96161

Juniper Boutique is a cute shop in the heart of downtown with fun and stylish women’s clothing for any occasion. Formerly Ela Chapman, Juniper Boutique has inventory from many beautiful, eco-friendly brands. Committed to sustainability, they carry products that are Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified, a globally recognized standard for organic textiles. GOTS brands meet environmental and social criteria, ensuring products are responsibly made - better for us and our environment. 

Curious about the name? Truckee born and raised local, Michelle, thought it only fitting to name her boutique after the Sierra Juniper, a native California species found throughout the Sierra that thrives in some of the most rugged mountain environments, like the exposed granite of Donner Summit. Look for one on your next hike!

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Upcycled Adventures

  • Website
  • Address: 12177 Business Park Dr, Ste 8, Truckee, CA 96161

Truckee’s outdoor gear consignment shop, Upcycled Adventures gives skis, snowboards, bikes, boots, apparel and other adventure gear a second life.

By buying and selling quality used gear, the shop offers a more affordable way to get outside while helping keep outdoor equipment in use and out of the waste stream. Inventory changes regularly, so part of the fun is seeing what you’ll find.

Whether you’re gearing up for a new sport, outfitting a growing kid or clearing space in your garage, Upcycled Adventures makes reuse part of the adventure.

Mannequin in brown dress beside vintage luggage in a clothing store

Thrifty Tails Boutique

  • Website
  • Address: 12047 Donner Pass Rd, Suite A3, Truckee, CA 96161
  • Phone: (530) 536-3850

Give pre-loved goods a second life while supporting local animals at Thrifty Tails Boutique, the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe’s thrift store.

The shop offers a rotating selection of donated clothing, accessories, home goods and other finds, making every visit a little different. Shopping secondhand keeps usable items in circulation while proceeds from the boutique help fund the Humane Society’s animal rescue programs and services.

Have items to pass along? Thrifty Tails also accepts donations by appointment.

 

Shop Local, Explore Responsibly

Shopping locally is one more way to support the people and businesses that make Truckee special. Seek out thoughtful products, give great gear another life and take home something with a little more connection to the place you visited.