Landsharks is NOT your friend!

Posted on March 18, 2013 by

breakup

It’s over. We are no longer friends. It’s not that we don’t love you anymore, it’s just better this way.

Okay, enough creepiness. Here’s the deal – Facebook considers it a violation of terms to treat a business as an individual. When we created our account in October of 2008, Facebook required users to have a personal account before creating a business page. Since we had neither, we created Saugatuck Landsharks as a person, as well as Landsharks as a page. Last week the “man behind the curtain” at FB headquarters changed our person to a business, therefore you “like” us now, but we are no longer friends.

breakup 4

Not to worry though, we’ll still be posting cool pictures, giving great gear away, and keeping you posted on upcoming sales and events. As a “liker” you’ll still see our feed. Every month we will give a $25.00 gift card to a shark fan (either on Facebook, a follower of this blog, or an email subscriber). And, get this, we are feeling very loving at the moment. The first 10 people to like this post on our Facebook page will get a $10.00 gift card. How is that for sharing the love?

In addition to Facebook and this blog, we maintain accounts on Twitter and Instagram. If you aren’t already a follower, please check us out on the both platforms @shoptheshark .

Thank you for 23 years of support. We are fortunate to have such passionate friends, fans, and Landsharks employees. We look forward to continue reaching out to you through social media. Yes, we still love you, even if we aren’t friends anymore.

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Our rockstar staff of 2012 will be back this summer to keep you looking good.

To those of you who have used Facebook in the past to send personal messages to Lindsay Timmerman (our social media director) and me, please hit us up on our personal pages. A David Lokker page is in the works.

Posted in CampVibes, Funny, Landsharks, Outdoor Industry, Outdoor Retail, Saugatuck Shops, Small Business | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

To a Proper New Year

Posted on December 31, 2012 by

 What does it mean to be proper?

Props to our Proper Brands "Leave it better than you found it..." -Proper

Props to our Proper Brands:
“Leave it better than you found it…”
-Proper

“We can’t force a definition on anyone. That would be improper,” says JD Brink, who launched The Proper Possible Movement just over a year ago. The nonprofit operates on a single rule: “leave it better than you found it.” Over the last several months, JD and his team have been spreading that message far and wide, holding workshops at schools throughout the state, hosting events at local pubs and breweries, and selling their apparel at retailers like ours. The goal is to “popularize proper behavior,” JD says. Basically, the folks at Proper just want to treat the right thing to do like it’s the cool thing to do. They make it easy to get involved!

We’ve been thinking about the meaning of “proper” a lot this season, and what better time to ponder how to leave the world “better than you found it” than the New Year? We decided to ask our Facebook friends to come up with Proper Resolutions for 2013 (offering a $25 gift card to the most Proper Shopper). Here are a few of the responses we’ve received…we hope you’ll feel inspired!

“Random acts of kindness. Often.” -Renee

10-25-PAT-Large-BrandPage

Props to our Proper Brands:
“Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.”
–Patagonia’s Mission Statement

“Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world.” -Alyssa

“Flush the toilet twice before I exit the bathroom.” -Anonymous

“Share your gifts, time and talents without expecting anything in return.” -Casey

“Acknowledge all as equal.” -Julie

“Win the $25 Gift Card and just happen to “lose” it outside of a homeless shelter’s front door.” -Lesa

“I’m hoping that leaving the world better than I found it will have much to do with my 6 & 3yr old sons and the way we’re striving to raise them.” -Jennifer

“To be proper is all of the above, but it is also important to be Properly Attired, as in wearing proper shoes, outer wear and clothing such as one can find at Landsharks of Saugatuck.” -Janet

toms-shoes

Props to our Proper Brands:
“One for One”
-Every time you buy a pair of Toms, a pair is donated to a child in need. So proper!

The winner of the Proper Shopper Award is Chris, who says:

“I read a book from the 60′s or 70′s titled “Hey Beatnick” (if you google it there is a free pdf copy online). It reassured some of the inclinations I had for years about society gone awry, and how to get it back on track. If we all live a proper life, using the Golden rule of “Do unto others”, the world would be a much happier, healthier, safer place to live. Thanks for the reminder, Landshark’s!” 

We’re impressed! He revived the Golden Rule, suggested reading material, brought back the Beatniks, AND expressed unnecessary gratitude. Thank YOU Chris (and ya’ll should check out the book…it’s really good)!

Anatomy-of-an-Ambrose-Tee

Props to our Proper Brands:
Located in Holland, MI; “The mission of Ambrose is to develop sustainable spaces where mentoring communities can build creative confidence and competence in youth.” We’re proud to carry their tee shirts and excited to learn they’ve started a partnership with Proper!

It would be terribly improper of us to tell you what to do, but we hope you’ll join us as we strive for a Proper New Year. Here at Landshark’s, we aim to “leave it better than we found it” by shopping local, providing stellar customer service, enjoying each other’s company, and carrying products made by brands who care. We hope you’ll stop by and you should totally check out The Proper Possible Movement Facebook page as well. Here’s to living by the Golden Rule… now go celebrate! 2013 is here!

Posted in Ambrose, Landsharks, Patagonia, Small Business, TOMS, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

There’s No Place Like Landshark’s for the Holidays!

Posted on December 21, 2012 by

Hey, Shark Shoppers. This is Lindsay, home for the holidays and here to bring you tidings of great joy from Landshark’s!

What kind of holiday magic. you ask? This week only, all men's and women's apparel is marked 30% off, select shoes are marked $25-$50 off, and Smartwool socks are by 3 get 1 free!

What kind of holiday magic. you ask? This week only, all men’s and women’s apparel is marked 30% off, select shoes are marked $25-$50 off, and Smartwool socks are by 3 get 1 free!

I like to believe I’m not the only one out there doing the Santa Scramble this year. Christmas is only a couple days away, and I’ve just barely started thinking about how I’ll stuff the stockings of those I love. Luckily, I work at the most amazing outfitter in all of West Michigan.  I’ll have plenty of parcels to place under the tree by the time I hit the road! I hope you can keep a secret, because I’m about to give you a sneak peak at the surprises my friends and family have in store. If you still have some shopping left to do,  feel free to stop by and borrow an idea or two! We love working holiday magic with our loyal customers.

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For Mom: If anyone deserves an amazing pair of Miz Mooz ($200.00), it’s my mom (I know my dad is going to be jealous that I found such a perfect gift for her). When paired with a colorful paisley scarf by Vivante ($24.00), these Kelsey Boots will work with just about everything in her wardrobe. Plus, I know she will be comfortable wearing them to the office all day long.

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For Dad: My dad gets a little stir-crazy if he can’t get outdoors in the wintertime, and he needs the right gear to keep him going out there in the cold. I’m getting him a pair of Outdoor Research Storm Tracker gloves ($34.50) to keep his hands nice and toasty through all his snowy endeavors. As for the Bamboo Bottle ($25.00), well, I know he’ll appreciate how sleek and eco-friendly it is (and I just love that it carries our awesome Landshark’s logo!).

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For the Baby Brother: With a pair of tri-grey classic Toms ($38.00) for the classroom and a woolen woodpecker hat ($24.00) to flap around in at recess, I’m pretty sure my little brother will the classiest dude to pass through the second grade so far. How cool is it that when I buy him Toms, another pair is sent to a needy child? I can’t wait to tell him about how the whole “One for One” deal works.

photo-4For the Best Friend:  Things get pretty dreary at college in the wintertime, and when the sun isn’t shining, accessories can seriously help brighten the mood. These whimsy Smartwool socks ($26.95) will ensure that my best friend is warm as she walks from class to class. The Joy Susan purse ($38.00) will hold all her campus necessities. Perhaps just as importantly, both will keep her looking incredibly cute.

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For the Boyfriend: Next week I’ll be telling you a little bit about the Proper Possible Movement, but for now it should suffice to say that when my guy wears this tee ($25.00) he’ll be looking great and supporting the “greater good.” I think the Better Jacket ($179.00) is what really makes the outfit, though… leave it to Patagonia to create the perfect combo of comfy and cool!

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For Me(!!!): I thought I’d throw this out there, just in case anyone is looking for ideas. I’ve been lusting over the Luii Leather-Trimmed Jacket ($75.00) since the day I got back from school. The coat comes with the belt and goes great with our Vivante Bordello scarf ($29.00). I might not get to rock it, but someone should! Trust me, the lucky lady who gets to unwrap this jacket will be feeling very blessed this year.

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Happy Holidays, everybody! I hope you’ll stop by and let us help you spread the Christmas cheer. May your days be merry and bright, and may you all have made the “Nice” list this year!

Posted in Outdoor Clothing, Outdoor Research, Patagonia, Saugatuck Shops, Small Business, Smartwool, TOMS, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Fearless and Well-Dressed Sharks

Posted on November 20, 2012 by

Heading into the holiday season we’d love to share some of our favorite things at Landshark’s. Now, we may not  have the celebrity star power of Oprah, but we are positive the peeps on your “Nice” list will appreciate these great goods.

Jenna, sizing up her greatest fear (spiders) in the lightweight, fashionable, and ultra-warm Lole Chilly Jacket

Meet Jenna Westveld, the most confident and out-going high school student we’ve had the pleasure of employing. Her three top picks for the 16-30 year old woman on your list are Classic Canvas TOMS ($44.00), the Ski-Town Beanie from Smartwool ($40.00), and the Lole Chilly Jacket ($220.00). Being an extremely popular junior, Jenna chose the Lole Chilly Jacket because she was looking for a durable, water & drama resistant jacket. And…..get this…. you can stuff it into its zippered self-storage pocket to use for a pillow!

You may have met Eva Gulotty at the store already, but I bet you didn’t know these fun facts about our kind, intelligent, and talented new rockstar:

“How much you wanna make a bet I can throw a football over them mountains”
-Uncle Rico in Napoleon Dynamite
“How much you wanna bet I can throw this rock over the Kalamazoo River”
-Eva Gulotty

  • she became one of the youngest members of the ACLU at age 6!
  • Eva can complete a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle in under 2 hours, with or without the help of whiskey
  • She learned how to walk silently from American Indians at the Chippewa Nature Center Summer Camp, a skill which helped launch her career in theatre
  • Eva’s favorite cocktail is Jamison & Ginger ale, also known as a Presbyterian …because it is a watered down Catholic

Ms. Gulotty’s fall favorites include Sorel’s Joan of Arctic Premium boots ($190.00), which she claims are warm enough to duck hunt in and sophisticated enough to wear to a show at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts. Eva is also a fan of the down scarf equipped with hand warmer pockets from our friends at NAU ($65.00). A must for every techie and frequent texter, check out the Sensor Gloves from Outdoor Research which allow you to text and use all of your iPhone apps without removing your gloves ($69.00)! The Grace Jacket from Prana allows Eva a full range of motion for snowball fights, break-dancing, and jigsaw puzzling ($135.00).

We’re proud to support Michigan’s famed designer Aaron Draplin, with this Draplin Design Company tee. The Caterpillar Haverhill boots from the Legendary Raw Collection are luxurious, and well-made by Wolverine Worldwide, another West Michigan company!

What does yours truly think are the best men’s items at the Shark? Hands down, the most comfortable shoe I’ve ever worn is the MixMaster from Merrell ($109). Look at the serious air I am getting in the picture! Try that with your 15lb Doc Martens.

I really love the Prana Redford Sweater ($149.00). The collar can be worn down, as show, or popped up if you need to join a fraternity in a hurry. The Draplin Design T-Shirt ($22.00) can be found in exactly one shop in the U.S., how is that for exclusive? Finishing out my torso, I have to pick the Outdoor Research Transcendent jacket ($180.00). This lightweight 650 fill down jacket is toasty and slightly longer than the other down jackets on the market.

I’m not sure if I am sexy enough to pull off the Caterpillar Haverhill boots ($140.00), but I am sure our young professionals from Chicago, Birmingham, and Grand Rapids will appreciate them.

The Patagonia Better Jacket and Merrell Felt Solo Origins were vital in Magic Marc overcoming his fear of heights. Look at him now!

“Magic Marc” (the new nickname is a result of his show-stopping performance at the recent Saugatuck Area Business Association fashion show) names the Patagonia Better Jacket ($179.00) as his favorite fall jacket at the shark. He loves the multiple pockets for stashing personal items. The stand-up collar provides warmth and sophistication. ”The length is ideal for kiddie slide at the park” Magic Mark recently told GQ.

Marc’s favorite fall shoes are also from Merrell - our favorite local shoe company . The Felt Solo Origins ($130.00) feature a waterproof upper, old school laces, and partially recycled footbeds and outsoles. He’s worn this shoe out to dinner, raking leaves, moving boxes, and even slacklining (see photo).

Dirk puts his gear to the test, just ask the Steelhead on the Kalamazoo River! DAZ names these three items - along with his fishing rod – as must-haves for Michigan winters:

Movember mustache not included.

  • The OR Transfer Hoody ($140.00). “I can ski, fish, test microbrews, play hopscotch, and use the Transfer Jacket as rainwear. It might be my best friend….”
  • The NAU down scarf ($65.00). “This toasty scarf has pockets deep enough for my hands or my favorite lures. I can wear it on the river or on a date with my bride, that’s versatility!”
  • The OR Yukon Cap ($38.00). “Give me an axe, a pile of wood, and this cap and I’ll be happy for hours. This is the perfect cap for eating chili, sledding, snowman manufacturing, and cold-weather planking. I do great things in plaid!”
Posted in Landsharks, Lole, NAU, Outdoor Clothing, Outdoor Industry, Outdoor Research, Outdoor Retail, Patagonia, Prana, Saugatuck Shops, Smartwool, TOMS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

HippyTree is Here. Nature is Coming.

Posted on October 9, 2012 by

The HippyTree Booth

The best part of our “job” at Landsharks is scouring the isles at various national tradeshows looking for the “next big thing”. Occasionally it is a game-changer like Keen, Crocs, or Vibram FiveFingers, but often times it is small operation that perhaps no one in the Midwest has seen or heard of. We like to brag when we find a genuine diamond in the rough, and have developed a knack for it over our 23 years. So….let me introduce this year’s find – HippyTree!

The Meadow Jacket was made for fall in Michigan. The quilted nylon is extremely durable, has a high warmth to weight ratio, and features a super soft corduroy collar. $88.00

After a frustrating day and half of scouring thousands of booths at Salt Lake City’s famed Outdoor Retailer Tradeshow, I stumbled upon a tiny booth filled with t-shirts, jackets, shorts, and pants that had an edgy vibe. The guys in the booth were much hipper than me, so I figured I’d take a closer look. My initial thought was, “if Poler and Prana had a baby, this would be the result.” I spent 5 minutes pawing through the samples with founder (artist, climber, surfer, and surf photographer) Andrew Sarnecki and decided HippyTree’s first retailer in Michigan would be Landsharks!

Now, as the grey in my beard might suggest, I am no spring chicken anymore. When I returned home from Salt Lake, I left the HippyTree catalog on the counter to gauge the reaction of the younger, better-looking, more in-touch demographic. Within 5 minutes of spotting the workbook, hipsters E$ and James Broe (don’t deny that you are hipsters – when you read this) approached me and begged, “yo, d-lok…. are we gonna get that HippyTree stuff in?”

The Ridge Flannel: wear it chopping wood in the morning and to the My Morning Jacket concert at night. Comfy, comfortable, with chest pockets big enough to stash your Field Notes. $80.00

This is what you’ll love about HippyTree:

  • The company started in the Hermosa Beach bedroom of a 21-year-old surfer/climber/ photographer/graffiti artist who was frustrated that his surf publications would not publish his photos. As an artist/designer he tried his hand at designing products and graphics that expressed his passion for surfing and climbing
  • HippyTree products are well-made with a unique style that you will not find in core outdoor brands. Each item has “surprise” details that you’ll find over the course of owning the item.
  • Consistent with the other brands we represent – HippyTree is committed to softening its environmental impact by using recycled, sustainable, and eco-friendly materials in its products.
  • HippyTree is an independent company and has not sold-out to VF Outdoor as many of its competitors have.
  • Andrew Sarnecki is a f*cking awesome designer. His graphics are clever and fresh. Andrew’s skills are showcased every year in the HippyTree catalog.
  • Our Fall HippyTree collection nearly sold-out within the first week. Every demographic from teens to guys in their 60s have snatched up the Tree at the Shark!

This is your new favortie pant – the Field Pant. The perfect blend of performance and sophistication. You can wear these to a wedding – the 3% spandex allows you the range of motion to scale the wall of the reception venue after a few too many PBRs. $68.00

The best compliment we hear at Landsharks is, “this is my favorite” store. Recently, we’ve begun to ask customers “why” when they praise us. Some like our staff & service, but overwhelmingly our guests like the mix of fashion and outdoor items that live within our walls. HippyTree is the perfect compliment to what we’ve always done – it is well-made, it is unique, and it is inspired by a passion for the outdoors.

We hope you love HippyTree as much as we do!

Posted in CampVibes, Climbing, Design, Graphic Design, HippyTree, Outdoor Industry, Outdoor Retail, Poler, Prana, Surfing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Honey Badger Award

Posted on August 7, 2012 by

There are certain things about my job at Landshark’s that make me want to drop out of school, move into one of the lofts upstairs, and work at the store forever. The Honey Badger Award is one of those things. I’ll tell you all about it in a minute, but first take a moment to enjoy the viral video that inspired this awesome award (it’s a bit explicit… consider yourself warned!).

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Alright. So the honey badger has no fear. It really doesn’t give a sh*t what it has to do. It runs all over the place. It gets the job done, no matter what! The head hanchos here at Landshark’s want their employees to work like that, so they created the Honey Badger Award. Here’s how it works.

The Honey Badger Ballot Box

An employee may be nominated Honey Badger of the Month for:

  • demonstrating outstanding problem-solving skills
  • going out of his/her way to help a customer
  • being complimented by a customer for doing a great job
  • coming up with a creative way to improve the store

Once all the ballots have been cast, the entire staff takes a vote. Then, our newly-elected Honey Badger and a coworker of his/her choice gets to go out for dinner and drinks at any restaurant in the Saugatuck/Douglas area, courtesy of the Shark! There’s only one catch: while they dine, they must come up with one idea to improve the shopping and working experience at Landshark’s. 

Who’s a Honey Badger?

Melissa Fox was dubbed our first Honey Badger in March. She was nominated twice; once for for acting fast to solve an emergency plumbing problem (yuck!), and once for being complimented on her stellar customer service skills 6 times in 5 days (damn, girl!).

Evan Knudsen became April’s Honey Badger for securing the future of Landshark’s. He thought he smelled smoke, and sure enough… he discovered an overheated appliance in the basement and essentially saved the store from burning down!!!

Presenting June’s Honey Badger: The ProBar Princess! The Queen of Crunch!

In March, Sierra Rodriguez earned the title of Honey Badger by taking the initiative to restock the entire store.Without her efforts, customers like you might have missed out on many of the awesome shirts, pants, dresses, and shoes that we offer here at the Shark!

Summer Hoffman was June’s Honey Badger. She won the award for realizing there were dozens of delicious ProBars just sitting in the basement, waiting to be sold. Several Shark Shoppers have left the store with a satisfying snack thanks to her hard work.

Choosing the coworker for whom I am going to vote is never easy. I’m surrounded by honey badgers here at Landshark’s, and I love it! Our clothes, shoes, and accessories are all incredible, but it’s really the Rockstar Staff that makes the Shark such a great store. If you haven’t stopped by lately, you should come in and say hey. There are a dozen crazy a** honey badgers here,  just itching to help you out! 

Posted in Funny, Landsharks, Saugatuck Shops, Small Business, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

What. Is. Ambrose?

Posted on July 20, 2012 by

“Support Child Labor.” It’s written on the tags of all our Ambrose t-shirts.

If you’ve visited Landsharks lately, a certain best-selling t-shirt may have caught your eye. Created by the folks at Ambrose, it carries a vibrant design and an awesome message: “Save Michigan – Buy Local.” That’s a cause we can all rally behind, right? If you look closely at the label, however, you’ll notice a tagline that has caused many a customer to do a double take. “Support Child Labor,” it reads. At first glance this may seem crazy, but you have to hear them out! I’m here to explain how Ambrose is making an incredibly powerful, positive impact upon the youth in our community.  

A few lucky Sharks (myself included!) were able to attend a private tee-shirt printing workshop at Ambrose earlier this week.

What is Ambrose?                                           Simply put, Ambrose is the best after-school art program in West Michigan (and quite possibly the entire United States). It was founded by a young couple with a passion for innovation and outreach. In 2008, the pair sat down with a group of high schoolers. “What do you want to learn?” they asked,”and how do you want to learn it?”  They discovered these kids liked to get their hands dirty. They longed to be creative and try new things. More than anything else, the highschoolers with whom the couple spoke wanted to learn from passionate teachers who were willing to work with them, side by side.  Designed with these desires in mind, Ambrose exists for students who are interested in the creative process. Workshops led by successful professionals who love their trades are hosted there monthly. (For more information Ambrose’s artistic workshops, follow this link).

Tees Fund Workshops – written in chalk in the Ambrose entryway.

If kids get to attend these workshops for free, where does Ambrose get its funding?  This is where you and I come in! The artists who work with Ambrose design one-of-a-kind tees like the ones we sell at Landsharks. One by one, these shirts are fed through “Iron Abe,” Ambrose’s trusty, rusty, 20-year-old screen printing press (these folks place a high value on keeping the creative process close-to-home and eco-friendly). Consumers like us purchase the shirts, and the proceeds are used to support Ambrose workshops, the Ambrose company, and the occasional Ambrose student who helps with printing in exchange for some extra change.

Here I am, learning how to print my very own custom-designed t-shirt!

Who attends Ambrose workshops? On average, Ambrose workshops are attended by 15-30 high school students per week. These kids come from all over West Michigan, and about half of them fall into the at-risk category. The directors of Ambrose estimate there are at least 50 students involved with the program altogether. Students are merely encouraged to come when they can, yet Ambrose continues to grow steadily.

Even little Shark Lily Lokker got her hands dirty.

Where can I go to learn more? Ambrose has an incredibly innovative and informative website. There, you can learn all about the Ambrose crew, their mission, their process, their products, the artists with whom they work, and the workshops they are hosting currently (check it out at http://ambrose.is/).  And if you’re a local, why not visit Ambrose’s brand new venue? It’s located in Downtown Holland at 224 South River Ave. Of course, we would also love it if you stopped by Landsharks to pick out your very own Ambrose tee!

Posted in Ambrose, Graphic Design, Landsharks, Small Business, T-shirts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Make A Difference

Posted on July 9, 2012 by

I’ve always wanted to be a superhero. To be honest, the only thing holding me back has been the uniform. Superman’s speedo is a major fashion NO. I certainly wouldn’t be comfortable in Wonder Woman’s spandex. I can’t afford a Batmobile. And seriously, is the Spidey Suit even worth the super powers? Not while Landshark’s is carrying the Good Works bracelet! I don’t need a dorky Marvel costume when I’ve got this bold accessory helping me change the world. Let me tell you about a few of its super powers: 

  1. The Good Works bracelet allows me to change lives for the better.  Good Work(s) Make A Difference® uses 25% of the proceeds from each purchase to fund charitable programs. In the past, they have built homes for the homeless, sponsored conferences for at-risk students, and aided natural disaster relief programs.
  2. The Good Works bracelet makes me feel good about myself. Each bracelet carries messages like “you are beautiful,” “you are smart,” “live in peace,” and “make a difference,” making me feel seriously empowered.
  3. The Good Works bracelet elevates me to celebrity status. What do I have in common with Katy Perry, Michele Williams, Ashlee Simpson, Adrian Grenier, and that really skinny woman from Desperate Housewives? Absolutely nothing… except the Good Works bracelet. It’s the hottest thing in Hollywood right now!

If you stop by the Shark and pick up a Good Works bracelet, you too can possess this kind of power. We carry them in every color imaginable, so grab one for your sister, your mom, your son… heck, the wrap-around style would even make a cool, one-of-a-kind collar for your dog. Let’s help Good Works make super the new norm! 

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Our Great Lake: Lake Michigan

Posted on June 22, 2012 by

This charming young man is Kylen Blom, recent Hope College grad and co-founder of My Great Lake clothing.

We’d like you to meet Kylen Blom. He’s one of the co-founders of My Great Lake, a local line designed to celebrate the beauty of the Great Lakes and generate funds to protect them. 

Six months ago, Kylen was getting ready to graduate from Hope College with degrees in communication and business management. He hung out. He studied. He wasn’t quite sure what he was going to do after college, and he was alright with that.

One day, Kylen and a few of his friends got to talking about dream jobs. They all agreed it would be sweet to stay in Michigan. They discussed their shared love of the Great Lakes and the rest of the state’s natural awesomeness. This led to an argument over which lake is greatest. Kylen asserted the superiority of Lake Superior, but one of his buddies disagreed. “Lake Michigan is my Great Lake!” he said. Kylen and his friends took that statement and ran with it. Now they are the proud founders of a clothing brand, selling shirts that celebrate Lake Erie, Lake Heron, Lake Ontario, Lake Superior, and our favorite, Lake Michigan.

Takin’ a break on a My Great Lake road trip

When we called Kylen to interview him for this post, he was on his way to the Upper Peninsula to sell his Lake Superior line. It was his second time taking My Great Lake on the road since early 2012, when he launched the brand. Over the phone, he told us a bit about his first marketing adventure. He and his business partner Trevor traveled around the Great Lake states, selling their apparel in local shops and outfitters like ours. Once, Kylen said, they went into a store in Wisconsin and discovered the owner was taking a paddleboat for a spin. Less adventurous entrepreneurs might have shrugged their shoulders and moved on, but Kylen and Trevor hopped in a boat and headed out on the water. They found the shop owner and struck up a deal before they hit land again.

With his charismatic attitude and his willingness to go the extra mile (be it by boat, by longboard, or in his van), we’re pretty sure Kylen could sell anything. Still, when you look at the My Great Lake apparel, it’s easy to understand why it’s been cropping up in stores all over the Great Lakes region. These sweatshirts and tees are great looking and incredibly comfy, but that’s not all. When you wear them, you can feel good knowing a portion of all proceeds are donated to The Alliance for the Great Lakes. 

We’d love for you to join us in celebrating Lake Michigan, so stop by the Shark and pick up a shirt! If you’re lucky, you might even get to meet Kylen.

 If you want to learn more about the brand, visit the My Great Lake blog. There, you can read about Kylen’s adventures in greater detail, check out some more pictures, and find a link to the online store. 

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Style Your Sole!

Posted on June 11, 2012 by

Hey readers! This is Lindsay, here to  get you excited about our STYLE YOUR SOLE event this weekend.

For those of you hoping to join the Toms movement, expand your Toms collection, or just find a pair of shoes with some personality, Saturday is your lucky day! If you head down to the store and purchase a pair of Toms,  local artists with serious talent (Michelle Maicki, David Prins & Kathy VanTubbergen to name a few) will be here between 1-5 pm  to customize them for you, for free. 

If you’re anything like me, you’re already trying to figure out what kind of design your Toms will be rocking on Saturday. I just hit up Pinterest for some inspiration, and I came across some pretty wild and imaginative things. Just for kicks, I thought I’d show you a few of my favorite Style Your Sole designs:

Floral Feet: Yes, I’m a girly girl, but who doesn’t love cherry blossoms and sunshine? I really don’t think you can go wrong with a flowery design!

Cartoon Cruisers: When I started working at Landshark’s, my coworker Evan caught me humming a tune from the Lion King. He’s been teasing me about my my love of Disney movies ever since. I know he’d be super jealous if my Toms turned out looking like this. Nothing says Hakuna Matata better than Timone and Pumba prancing across your feet!

Walk the Talk: With the presidential election coming up in November, conversation can get pretty heated. Why not let your shoes do the talking instead?

The R2DShoe: When I was about 6, my father introduced me to the original Star Wars trilogy. The action was completely over my head, but I immediately fell in love with Hans Solo and decided I was going to turn myself into Princess Leia if it meant crossing over to the dark side. Maybe if I’d had these Toms I wouldn’t have felt the urge to do my hair in cinnamon-roll sized buns or beg for that freaky gold bikini… 

Killer Kicks: What kind of a Shark would I be if I didn’t fall for these Toms hook, line, and sinker? The store logo shirts we wear from time to time are pretty tame compared to these snappy shoes.

How will you style your sole? We have Toms for men, women, and children, so go ahead and invite  your friends and family to come get creative too! As always, when you purchase Toms shoes, a pair is donated to a child in need. See you Saturday afternoon!

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