Celebrating the Landsharks Legacy with David and Casey Lokker
Ask anyone in town, and they’ll tell you that outdoor apparel store, Landsharks, is a must-visit. Owners and long-time residents David and Casey Lokker and their friendly staff love sharing their passion for the area. They’re always happy to recommend the best hiking spots and help you find the perfect pair of shoes before you hit the trails.
Landsharks and the Lokker family have been beloved by the Saugatuck/Douglas community since the 90s, when David’s parents owned the store. Casey and David took the reins in 2017, keeping the shop open year-round, stocking high-quality Saugatuck-themed apparel to entice visitors, and supplying leading outdoor shoe and clothing brands to the local community.
What’s your connection to Saugatuck/Douglas?
David: I went to Douglas Elementary School and graduated from Saugatuck High School, so I’m about as local as they come.
Casey: I grew up on the east side of the state, but settled in Saugatuck after my college years. After teaching for nearly a decade in a neighboring community, I was hired to teach 5th grade at Douglas Elementary School, where both of our daughters attended. It has been such a pleasure to serve my community as an educator and as a small business owner.
People really love those fun, locally inspired T-shirts and sweatshirts that you carry. Why do you think that is?
David: Since we are not a large shop, we choose to be very selective when it comes to the tees and sweats we carry. If the item is high-quality and has an appealing design, we’ll consider carrying it in the store. We are proud to work with local Michigan designers like Good Ink, Michigan Awesome, Mitten State, and Idea Farm.
Casey: We meet with designers several times a year to develop artwork that you can only find at Landsharks. We want you to reach for the piece again and again, and we hope that it brings you warm memories of your time spent in Saugatuck.
What else makes the Landsharks experience so special?
David: We’ve really grown a lot over the past few years. Today, in addition to the locally designed Michigan and Landsharks-specific t-shirts, we sell our customers’ favorite outdoor brands like Patagonia, Kuhl, Hoka, Vuori, and Carve Designs.
A lot of people tell us that when they are visiting Saugatuck, Landsharks is a must-stop. Tourists love us, and we stay open year-round for the locals.
Casey: A big part of offering a year-round experience is keeping a consistent team in place. Our employees live in the community, so customers really get to know them. Maintaining that consistency helps us build a positive culture and deliver great service—which is what shopping small is all about!
What do you like most about living and working in Saugatuck/Douglas?
Casey: This same question came up during a dinner conversation with our Kuhl (outdoor apparel) reps last night. Running a small business means you sacrifice some personal freedom, like traveling during the summer, but we are lucky to live where others vacation. It’s really no sacrifice to run a small business in Saugatuck!
David: We are so fortunate to be part of a business community that helps support many local events and non-profits. Without this type of support, our community wouldn’t enjoy wonderful events like the Mountainfilm Festival, the Mt. Baldhead Challenge, the Douglas Halloween Parade for Adults, and Music in the Park, just to name a few.
I love that so many things that people have to travel to enjoy can be found right in our backyard. From concerts and performances at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, to winery tours and apple picking in Fennville, and even live comedy at Coral Gables, there is so much to do!
Do you have a certain itinerary that you recommend to visitors?
David: I’ve met some of my best friends at the shop, and I LOVE giving them tips on places to check out. Hikes at Saugatuck Dunes State Park and the Crow’s Nest are a must. I also encourage them to stop at Woosah, which sells original, natural-inspired art and apparel. The Southerner, Pennyroyal Café, Farmhouse Deli, and Salt of the Earth are also a must.
Casey: No trip to Saugatuck is complete without taking a ride on the Saugatuck Dune Rides, where you can learn about the history of the area and take in the natural beauty of our landscape, or taking a trip on the Star of Saugatuck, where you can go up the channel and see beautiful homes and the undisturbed natural ecosystem of the dunes. I would never miss the opportunity to encourage someone to soak up the sun at Oval Beach either!
David: If you’re in town during the winter, we rent snowshoes and can recommend places to try them out. I know all the best spots for ice fishing and cross-country skiing, too.
Cover photo credit: Lara Parent
