Horny Toad Activewear Purchases Bankrupt Nau, Inc.’s Remaining Assets

Horny Toad Activewear, Inc., a Santa Barbara-based lifestyle clothing company, recently made the decision to purchase the remaining assets of Portland-based Nau, Inc., which is also a lifestyle clothing company-which a company official said means outdoor recreational clothing as distinct from office wear. On May 2, Nau announced that due to financial problems, the company would have to shut down. However, many customers were upset that the company was closing, which inspired a few former Nau employees to try and rebuild the company. Horny Toad, a fellow outdoor industry company, stepped in and following their motto, decided to “do well by doing good,” according to Tami Snow, a Horny Toad executive.

“We know each other because we are from the outdoor industry, and many of us have worked together before,” said Snow, “so it only felt natural to help out.”

Horny Toad hired a team made up of former Nau employees to help create Nau: Version 2.0. The company will launch their new brand on August 1, with a fall collection that will still incorporate Nau’s philosophy of “Beauty, Performance, and Sustainability.” In the meantime however, the old Nau, Inc. (now referred to as Version 1.0) will continue selling clothing from their old line during July.

Nau: Version 2.0 will sell its clothing online and in the Lizard Lounge, a Portland clothing store and lounge for people to socialize in, which also sells the Horny Toad line.

Nau will also continue their online blog, The Thought Kitchen (http://blog.nau.com), where customers can learn about the progress Nau is making and comment on it.