About Us
Marquette Location
514 N. Third Marquette MI
49855
Monday - Thursday 9am to 7pm
Friday 9am to 8pm
Saturday 9am to 5pm
Sunday 11am to 3pm
Houghton Location
308 Shelden Ave Houghton MI 49931
Monday - Thursday 10 am to 6pm
Friday 10 am to 8pm
Saturday 10 am to 6pm
Sunday Noon to 4pm
Green Program
The Down Wind Sports GREEN PROGRAM was established to help lesson our impact on the world around us. Since 1976 we have taken pride in the fact that we have been environmentally sensitive to our business practices...but we can do better. This year with the help from Chuck Trout, our bike shop manager we have implemented the following GREEN PROGRAMS at DWS.
BIKE TO WORK - We offer employees and local Marquette Businesses incentives for having employees ride their bikes to work. Local business can participate by calling call 906-226-7112.
ORGANIC COTTON BAG PROGRAM- Want to save 1% on all of your DWS purchases? Purchase a Patagonia Organic Cotton bag from us, bring it in each time you shop- and what ever fits in the bag you will receive 1% off of your purchase!
GOIN' FLUORESCENT- We are currently in the process of switching the entire store over to high efficiency fluorescent bulbs. While we may not have as much light in the store now, we will be 40% more efficient.
RECYCLE/REUSE-
*We now have a recycling dumpster for all of our cardboard!
*We also reuse plastic to stuff our backpacks with!
*All discarded bike parts are donated to Andy Gregg of Marquette Michigan, to be made into Bike Furniture! Very cool- check it out at www.bikefurniture.com
*All bike chains and freewheels are donated to Resourse Revival who in turn make picture frames, clocks and other bike art. Check them out at www.ResourseRevival.com
NATURAL POWER INITATIVE- Down Wind Sports is proud to participate in the prAna natural power initiative. 100% of the electricity used at this location is offset by green-e certified wind generated power. This program, in its 2nd year is made possible by Prana clothing . For more information please go to www.prana.com/natural power
COMMON THREADS RECYCLING PROGRAM - In 2005 Patagonia launched this program through which customers could return their worn out Capilene baselayers for recycling. Now expanded, recycling includes Patagonia fleece, Polartec fleece, and Patagonia cotton t-shirts. DWS is now an official drop off site! For more info on the program visit patagonia.com/recycle or call us at 906-226-7112
Community Involvement / Programs
Our philosophy has always been involvement in the community through programming, grants, event sponsorship and just plain having fun! Whether you join us on a weekly climb, ride, kayak, ski or snowshoe just about every night of the week we'll have something for you to do! If you would like more information on our events please refer to our event page.
History of Down Wind Sports
Down Wind Sports was officially formed and opened in September of 1976 and located in the University Shopping Center on North Third Street in Marquette. Dennis and Nancy Henderson created Down Wind as a way to return to their native U.P. and to the Marquette area. Initially, Down Wind sold a great number of Frostline Kits, a pre cut sewing kit for outdoor clothing and equipment. Additionally Hobie Cats and related sailing gear were also sold. (The name Down Wind came from the combination of down sewing kits and wind from sailing). After two years, Down Wind moved to a larger store within the shopping center and gradually began adding outdoor specialty products to their inventory. The first clothing line that was brought into the store was a little known company called Patagonia. We are proud of the fact that we were one of the first Patagonia dealers in the midwest! Over the years, we have been the first to introduce windsurfing, snowboarding and sea kayaking to the Marquette area.
In 1982 in search of a larger store the Henderson's moved the business to its present location at 514 North Third street. In 1992 a much need addition was added onto the back of the store to accommodate the paddling department.
In 1998 long time employees Bill Thompson, Todd King, and Jeff Stasser purchased DWS and took over ownership. In 2001 a new addition was added to the building and a new parking lot was built in the back of the building to allow parking on the side and rear of the building. Our new addition houses the camping, footwear, clothing and travel departments. Also two more changing rooms were added- no more waiting, yeah!
Down Wind Sports North was established in October of 1988 by the Henderson's and former employee Tim Rohaly. Located on Shelden Ave. in downtown Houghton, this store created its own image by adding some products unique to the Houghton market, while selling many of the same products sold in the Marquette store. In October of 1995, as a result of a major fire that burned down the Library Bar and Restaurant, DWS North moved to the Sharon Center near the new mall.
In May of 2000, Arni Ronis, Bill, Jeff, and Todd purchased DWS North from Tim Rohaly and moved back downtown to its present location at 308 Shelden Ave. In 2001, we opened a satellite store at the midwest's newest ski resort Mt. Bohemia. Located in the rental yurt our small shop provides clothing and equipment for skiers and boarders. We enjoy having our shops located in college towns as many old customers and friends stop by just to say hi and exchange stories from the past when they are visiting.
We hope you'll stop by the next time you are coming through town!
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