Company Info
History of Landsharks
Sally Troutman was the mastermind behind Landsharks in 1990. As the manager and buyer of an outfitting store named On Track, Sally envisioned a store with Saugatuck souvenirs and a catchy logo. She worked with Gear for Sports to create the current Landsharks icon. After five successful years, Sally and her husband Ken bought Landsharks and On Track, which she managed since 1983.
After purchasing the businesses, Sally decided to merge the two, (think A.O.L. Time Warner - just not quite as big) keeping the On Track location and using the Landsharks name. The decision has resulted in Landsharks becoming the premier destination for Saugatuck locals and tourists for more than 15 years.
Landsharks is a genuine family business. Sally is at the store on a daily basis, while Ken can be found maintaining the building, creating fixtures, designing counters and “holding court” on the street with other merchants. The Troutman children, David and Whitney, assist with every facet of the business. Even daughter-in-law Casey puts in upwards of 50 hours in the summer when she takes a break from her career as an elementary school teacher. The Troutman family takes pride in Landsharks and is passionate about building lasting relationships with customers and the outdoor retail industry. While every successful retail business touts customer service, Landsharks will make very effort to exceed your expectations.
At Landsharks, we are proud to be a part of the Saugatuck business community and to provide our customers with quality goods and services. Please visit us on your next trip to Saugatuck.
Our Motto: “Outfitters for Active People”
You certainly won't find any of our staff in a suit, so don't expect us to sell you one! We like to get down, get dirty and wear the earth. At Landsharks, we are passionate and confident about the products we carry. If it is in our inventory, be assured it has been on a trail, in one of our packs or on our backs sipping a drink in a far away place.
Places you might find our staff:
Ø On the Inca Trail in route to Machu Pichu
Ø At the start line of a 5k
Ø Scouring Lake Michigan for the elusive “Lucky Stone”
Ø A Saugatuck Dunes Coastal Alliance Fundraiser
Ø Paddling on the Kalamazoo River
Ø Kickin' it in Cuba for a couple weeks
Landsharks criteria for representing products and brands
1) Will it endure?
The outdoor companies represented at Landsharks stand behind their products. We want our customers to be excited about our products and pride ourselves in providing quality apparel and footwear. Rather than chasing fashion trends, we stock our store with time tested, well-made brands that will survive the most ambitious outdoor adventures.
2) Is the company socially responsible?
We pride ourselves in our relationships with Patagonia, Chaco, Green Label Organics, Tsonga and many other companies dedicated to the preservation of the planet. Many of the lines we carry feature recycled products, organic cotton and are members of 1% For the Planet - an organization dedicated to allocating 1% of gross sales toward environmental issues.
3) Is it unique?
The outdoor retail market (particularly for independents) is a very difficult business. Our family business has been successful for more than 20 years by differentiating ourselves from the big corporations. We try to carry exclusive lines that you will not typically find in a mall store. In addition, we differ from REI and Moosejaw by adding some fun and funky fashion items each year. Landsharks is truly an eclectic store: where else can you find Chaco, Fly of London, Kenzie, Ugg, Patagonia, Brand Q and Be As You Are all under the same roof?
4) Is it practical for our customer?
We specifically stock multi-functional clothing that can be worn hiking on a trail and out to dinner in the same day. We specialize in clothing that can be washed in a sink at and dry quickly enough to be worn the following day. All of our items are low-maintenance. Ninety-five percent of our products are machine-washable.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about our little company. We look forward to meeting you soon!