L.L.Bean is a private, family-owned clothing and outdoor gear company with 28 retail stores and 10 outlets throughout the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic United States. The company sells quality apparel for outdoorsmen and women, along with equipment to outfit budding and experienced adventurers and home goods for decorators seeking a country feel. In addition to goods, employees at the large, earthy L.L.Bean stores offer customers expert advice on gear and great locations to get outdoors. The company's Outdoor Discovery Schools take customers into nature through a variety of guided tours, including hiking, kayaking, bicycling, and snowshoeing; multiday adventures; and courses on everything from birdwatching and the proper footwear for trail running. The company maintains a high standard of customer service and provides round-the-clock customer support via three call centers.