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Arcadian Shop
Categories: Active Life Bike Rentals Shopping Sporting Goods Outdoor Gear Bike Rentals, Outdoor Gear [Edit]
91 Pittsfield RdLenox, MA 01240
(413) 637-3010
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
7 reviews for Arcadian Shop
7 reviews in English
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Review from Sam B.
Albany, NY
11/4/2010
Absolutely the best outdoor sports shop. The staff is courteous and extremely knowledgeable. Unlike the chain stores where you have a transitory and untrained staff, the Arcadian salespeople legitimately know their stuff, and actively participate in the activities they promote. Ask a chain store employee how Gore-Tex works, and you're likely to get a vague answer; at the Arcadian Shop you'll get a scientific explanations, and probably end up holding the sleeves of several jackets as they pour water over them while explaining the difference between DWR and the internal membranes!
The architecture and layout of the shop is unique and well done. The original building is one of the oldest in Lenox, with modern additions in the back. It is not uncommon to run across international celebrities roaming the racks or settled down in the cafe like "normal people."
The gear at Arcadian Shop is expensive, although no more than any other high-end gear store. But, you get what you pay for. Many of the flagship brands offer (or at least used to offer) lifetime warranties - for example I sent back an old pair of Patagonia ski pants because the zippers had broken down - about three weeks later a Shop employee called me to tell me that my brand new, $400 pants were in, and that all I owed was $5 for shipping!
The bike shop downstairs in without equal. Ken and Alan are a wealth of information, and will gladly help you fix your old bike, or sell you a new bike within your budget (bikes at the shop range from entry-level ($400?) to customized rocketships that cost more than a used BMW).
The Arcadian Shop sits on the edge of Kennedy Park, a beautiful 500+ acre trail system that is popular with mountain bikers, hikers, runners and equestrians (no motor vehicles allowed). The Shop has trail maps and can help you pick out a ride or hike - you can even walk to downtown Lenox, have lunch, and hike back, all within the Park. -
Review from Betsy H.
Pittsfield, MA
4/3/2012
I'm a cyclist, I stopped by this shop looking for a headlamp. I found my lamp in a corner downstairs, almost like bike equipment is an afterthought. The guy who sold me the light was friendly, but the whole experience was kinda uncomfortable. The merchandise is is nationally recognized name products.....meaning quality, yet pricey. I felt like I was out of my element. I'll stick to Ordinary Cycles, I don't need to be a cycling fashionista.
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Review from Tiffany R.
Salem, MA
11/11/2011
We read better than REI in a review so we had to stop by as we love REI. Guess what? Not better than an REI.
It has a very good selection for its small size. Some things were very pricey, however.
The staff didn't acknowledge us at all so I couldn't say they were friendly.
We'll stick with REI. -
Review from Nick M.
Franklin, MA
6/16/2009
Two words, SUPER SALE.
One of the best shops in the Berkshires for clothing, cycling and cross country skiing. The bike shop is incredibly knowledgeable, the salespeople are friendly and the shop is organized nicely. If you're into name brands like The North Face or Patagonia, this is one of the only shops in the area that caters to your palette. If you're looking for a Cannondale bike, forget Plaine's and head here.
Off Rt 7 in Lenox, it is a great destination for shopping, hit up Kennedy Park in back to test ride a mountain bike. -
Review from Hank P.
Rockville, MD
6/25/2010
Arcadian Shop is awesome! It is like REI with one location (actually, even better as there is a cafe inside). The store is beautiful and stocked with terrific, high quality brands for the outdoor person.
Prices are average when not on sale, but this is good stuff. I did score a great Cannondale bike jacket on sale.
The bike staff is very friendly and knowledgeable (I rented one for the day).
Very well run business -
Review from Erin G.
Fairfax, VA
8/19/2008
I agree with Steven K's review, the staff is knowledable and helpful, the browsing is casual so you don't feel pressured, there is a big range of sporting equipment and even some earthy-crunchy women's fashion options. I was in just last week and the summer sale items were a great deal - 50% and higher discounts for everything from bathing suits to shorts and t-shirts. They also have a great shoe department. I was convinced to spend the most amount of money i've ever dropped on sunglasses: $23.99 and they were worth every penny.
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Review from Steven K.
Manhattan, NY
7/22/2008
My son is an outdoor sports guy, heavily into mountain biking and snowboarding. So I'm here with my credit card out much of the time.
You could not ask for a better shopping experience. This type of gear is expensive, so you appreciate knowledgeable advice, which the Arcadians dispense generously. There is no snooty attitude whatsoever. They'll try to steer you to the less expensive option if possible.
Besides hardware, they stock an impressive array of clothing. Major brands abound: Patagonia, et. al. There are seasonal sales where some of this stuff becomes affordable.
The parking lot is also a take-off place for the biking trails in adjacent Kennedy Park, a very beautiful wooded oasis (if that makes sense).
Major plus: the coffee and soup bar, which serves great java and grub in a cool layout.
Stop and check it out. You'll buy something, for sure. And you won't regret it the morning after.
