Orvis is a name a lot of people know—especially if you’re into fly fishing, dogs, or outdoor gear with a bit of New England flair. Founded in 1856, the Vermont-based company has been around longer than most businesses in America. So, when rumors started swirling online about Orvis closing its doors for good, it caught more than a few folks off guard.
Maybe you’re a longtime Orvis customer. Maybe you’re just seeing the news and are wondering whether those fishing vests and hefty canvas bags will still be around next year. Either way, let’s break down where things actually stand.
Big Changes for a Big Name
In late 2024, Orvis announced some pretty significant changes that got people talking. They’re cutting costs, changing how they do business, and trying to set themselves up for the future. The company said it would lay off about 112 employees, or roughly 8% of its workforce. Anyone who’s ever worked at or shopped in a retail business knows—layoffs like that aren’t ever just “business as usual.” It’s tough for everyone involved.
On top of the layoffs, Orvis is closing several of its retail stores. If you have an Orvis location nearby, you might be wondering if it’s on the list. At the time of the announcement, the company didn’t say exactly which stores would be affected, but some closures—including a Seattle location—have since been reported by local news outlets.
There’s also another change longtime customers might notice: the mail-order catalog is going away. If you grew up getting those thick Orvis catalogs in the mail, this will feel like the end of an era. Orvis says it wants to move toward more modern ways of reaching customers, so they’re stopping the mailing of their catalog in 2025.
Why Is Orvis Making These Moves?
So, what’s going on? Why all these changes, and why now? In a statement, Orvis said it wants to become a “smaller and more agile business.” That’s the kind of thing companies often say when they’re dealing with economic pressure—especially when the old ways of doing business just aren’t working anymore.
Simon Perkins, who’s the company president (and part of the Perkins family that’s run Orvis for generations), was pretty clear. He said Orvis has survived a lot of ups and downs over the past 170 years, but now it needs to change if it’s going to stick around longer.
It’s not just about the economy. The retail world looks totally different than it did even five years ago. More people are shopping online, fewer folks are interested in catalogs, and labor costs have gone up. When you put all that together, it’s clear Orvis decided it had to pivot, even if it meant making tough choices.
Another sign that change is real: Orvis is moving its headquarters. For decades, the company operated out of Sunderland, Vermont, but now it’s relocating to a smaller space in Manchester, Vermont. The plan is to offer a more hybrid work environment—part in the office, part remote—which is frankly what a lot of companies are doing these days.
Stores Closing (But Not All)
If you’re someone who likes to browse fishing rods in person, or slip your dog into an Orvis bed before taking it home, store closings can sound alarming. Currently, Orvis operates about 70 retail stores and 10 outlets across the U.S., plus 18 shops and one outlet store in the U.K.
When the layoffs and restructuring were announced, there wasn’t a full public list of which stores would close. Some local news coverage did confirm that the Seattle store on 5th Avenue closed its doors in March 2025. If you live somewhere with just one Orvis location, it wouldn’t be fun to see it go. Even so, plenty of stores are staying open.
For employees, losing a job like this is stressful. Orvis did say it would support the workers being let go with two months of full pay and benefits, severance pay, and some help with health insurance and finding another job. That won’t make the transition painless, but it does show the company knows these aren’t just numbers—they’re people’s lives.
No More Catalog: End of an Era
The Orvis catalog has been around for almost as long as the company itself. Flipping through those pages was a ritual for a lot of fans. The print catalog wasn’t just about ordering sweaters—it was a way Orvis built its brand and stayed connected with customers.
But times change, and how people shop has changed even faster. Online ordering, email, and digital advertising have taken the wheel. Orvis says it’s ending the catalog to focus resources on those newer ways to connect. Some longtime customers might not love this change, but it’s not surprising if you look at broader retail trends.
What’s Next for Orvis?
Here’s the thing: Orvis isn’t closing down. There are rumors going around, and maybe friends or family have asked, “Is Orvis going out of business?” But the answer right now is no—they’re trimming down, not shutting down.
The company says it wants a “leaner” structure to stay competitive. That means fewer employees, fewer stores, and a smaller physical footprint. They’ll still operate their online shop, existing store locations (minus the closed ones), and support the communities where they do business.
Simon Perkins talked about positioning Orvis for the long term. The goal is to survive and actually thrive—just with a slightly different look and feel than before. That’ll probably mean Orvis remains a staple for fly-fishing fans and dog lovers, just a bit quieter and less visible on your doorstep.
For customers, that could mean fewer in-store experiences, at least in some locations. But if you usually shop online, you’ll likely notice very little change day-to-day. Orvis is betting it can keep loyal shoppers by focusing on what it does best—internet sales, specialty gear, and a bit of that old-school, direct customer service.
Looking at the Bigger Picture
It’s not just Orvis. Other outdoor and heritage retailers have been trimming costs, moving headquarters, or closing underperforming stores. Sometimes, these stories get mixed up with rumors of full-on closure, but what usually happens is much less dramatic. To stay relevant, companies have to keep up with how people want to shop—today, that usually means building a stronger online presence, cutting old expenses, and figuring out what makes them different from everyone else.
Business news sites like Blue Business Mag cover these trends all the time. If you follow retail news, you’ll see similar moves playing out across traditional catalog companies, regional stores, and even global brands adjusting to a changed world.
For Orvis, that means nearly 170 years of history isn’t coming to an end. It’s just shifting gears.
So, Should You Worry?
A lot of this comes down to how you like to shop, or whether you’ve got a sentimental attachment to Orvis. If you look forward to browsing the catalog with your morning coffee, the new strategy might feel bittersweet. There’s a certain nostalgia in old catalogs that won’t translate to an email in your inbox.
But if you’re mostly concerned about buying gear, booking a fly-fishing trip, or finding a tough dog bed, there isn’t a reason to panic. You’ll still be able to buy from Orvis online and in their open store locations. You might just miss out on the paper catalog and, in some towns, a trip to the physical shop.
These changes could even work out for some customers. Maybe a more focused Orvis will mean better product selection or a smoother online shopping experience. That’s the hope—though like any big shift, it’ll take time for everyone to adjust.
Final Thoughts: Orvis Is Still Here—Just Changing
To sum it up: No, Orvis isn’t going out of business. They’re not folding up the tents and shutting off the lights. What you’re seeing is a serious effort to adapt to new realities—fewer print catalogs, some store closures, moving the headquarters, and a leaner team.
Is it a little sad for those who love the brand’s traditional touches? Sure, and that feeling is understandable. But Orvis remains open for business, looking to serve its customers for another season—and probably a lot more after that. For now, the familiar green logo isn’t disappearing. It’s just showing up in a few less places—and maybe a few new ones, too.
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