In their own words
Wilda and Ken Hopper opened Bird’s Eye Outfitters in 2016 to inspire others to get active, eat healthy, and have a good time doing it.
Bird’s Eye Outfitters Member since: 2021
Owners: Ken and Wilda Hopper Location: 107 E. Portage Ave., Sault Ste. Marie Opened: 2016 Specialties: High-quality outdoor gear, food/drink, coffee MRA services: Workers’ compensation
Story by RACHEL SCHRAUBEN Photos by STEVE JESSMORE Does your business have a unique story? Contact rschrauben@retailers.com.
Wilda Hopper grew up in Fort Myers, Florida and found herself making a long trip north to attend college in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. There she met her future husband, Ken, a native to Sault Ste. Marie, and together, they began to explore the trails and picturesque sites the U.P. had to offer. Ken and Wilda Hopper share how their passion for community, recreation, and eating healthy jumpstarted their business, Bird’s Eye Outfitters, in Sault Ste. Marie. Wilda – Years ago, we didn’t see a lot of outdoor activity in the Soo, even though Ken and I are avid outdoor lovers. Whenever we talked to people about going out around here, we found that many lacked the knowledge of what to wear, how to explore, and what gear was needed. We also learned that people wanted to belong to a group of fellow explorers. People are community-seeking, and they want to be with others while they go out on adventures. We saw a need. Ken – We wanted to see a paradigm shift in the area where most people preferred to stay indoors due to the long winters. We’re surrounded by natural resources! We wanted to share with others and show them how to celebrate it.
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MICHIGAN RETAILER JUN / JUL 2021
