ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) —

This local consignment shop is more than its clever name. The loyal customer base, community contribution and love of the outdoors at Second Gear have made it a first choice for many over two decades.

Second Gear is gearing up for a 20th birthday celebration and block party from noon to 5 p.m., Saturday, June 15, at their storefront in the River Arts District, 99 Riverside Dr., Asheville.

“It’s 20 years. I mean, that’s a big milestone,” said Second Gear marketing lead Rhea Lidowski. “Everyone comes to Second Gear. It’s something for everyone. We want to have that party. We want to celebrate that. We want it to be really family friendly.”

The block party coincides with an in-store sale and features food, music and outdoor activities like hiking pole limbo. There will also be raffles. Those proceeds will go to event vendors like Dirt Skrrts, a female empowerment mountain biking organization, and Carolina Mountain Club, the oldest hiking club in Western North Carolina.

According to founder Russ Towers, the store began in 2004 for people interested in the outdoors to find affordable gear.

“I just thought it’s kinda crazy to buy all that stuff brand new if you’re gonna try something out and you might not stick with it, and you just want to get a taste for it,” Towers said.

Second Gear allows its customers to bring items in on consignment. The store purchases the items from community members, paying them outright or granting store credit to use. According to Towers, the store has paid out $6 million to 13,000 consigners over the last 20 years.

Those consigners bring in bikes, kayaks and climbing gear. Frisbee golf discs, tents and sleeping bags adorn the walls. Maps and water bottles mingle with cookstoves and Chacos. There are also racks and racks of outdoor clothing.

“We didn’t have an idea that clothing would be such a big part of it. But I’m wearing something that someone else wore before,” said Towers.

“Yeah, me too,” said Lidowski. “I call it the little circle of life.”

Second Gear feels that it is important to host their birthday party in the community, free for everyone. To them, that reflects their store mission.

“The outdoors is for everyone. It can be affordable. It can be right there within your reach,” Lidowski said. “This is bigger than us. This is something that is for everyone.”

“Perfect answer,” Towers agreed. “One little tagline we’ve used through the years is: ‘All our gear tells a story. What will yours be?’”