History
EMS was founded in 1967 in Wellesley, Massachusetts by two climbers - Alan McDonough, who was running the family hotel chain, and Roger Furst, a lawyer whose office was in the McDonough complex. Both saw the untapped market for outdoor gear in the Boston area. The first store on Linden St. in Wellesley carried the Gerry outdoor equipment line as well as downhill skis.
In 1968, the two enterprises merged and built the landmark 1041 Commonwealth Avenue store - at 10,000 sq. ft. the largest outdoor equipment/mountaineering store in New England. EMS/MS's wide range of products and experienced staff attracted serious backpackers and regional mountaineers.
McDonough and Furst sold the company in 1979 to The Franklin Mint, which was acquired by Warner Communications in 1981. Four years later Warner sold the Mint but retained EMS, subsequently selling it to the American Retail Group.
In July 2003 Will Manzer became President and CEO and shifted the company focus back towards specialty outdoors gear. A new logo, store reorganization, and a shift from stores in shopping malls to freestanding community-based stores followed.
Bob Mayerson was announced as new president in March 2010, as Will Manzer continues leading the growth of the company.
Read more about this topic: Eastern Mountain Sports
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