Keeping it Real for 40 Years, Real Cheap Sports’ 40th Anniversary

In 1981, Patagonia founder, Yvon Chouinard, and his brother Jeff, had an idea for an outlet store.  Its mission would be to serve the community by selling Patagonia overruns, closeouts, seconds merchandise, and related outdoor gear, at discounted prices.

The Chouinard brothers found a suitable location at 36 West Santa Clara Street in Ventura, just a block and half from Patagonia’s headquarters. When registering their new outlet store name, “Cheap Sports,”  the Chouinard brothers did a search of company names and found another business listed as “Cheap Jeans.” In a move to be unique, Real was added to the name, and to the side of the Cheap Sports logo.

In 1998 Real Cheap Sports left the Patagonia umbrella and became an independent outdoor store and outlet dealer for Patagonia, owned solely by Jeff Chouinard. In 2008, Real Cheap Sports was sold to longtime store manager, Tim Coates, and his wife, Ashley.  Real Cheap Sports is still in its original location, continues its tradition of a customer-focused, authentic outdoor store, and offers quality products at discounted prices.