L.L. Bean Opens First Michigan Store in Clinton Township

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MI — Outdoor gear retailer L.L. Bean is opening its first Michigan store in Clinton Township Friday and eager shoppers have extra incentive to get to the Mall of Partridge Creek early: The first 200 customers in line will get a store gift card worth up to $500. Special Friday hours are 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

The store in the open-air shopping destination that features nearly 90 distinctive shops and restaurants is the 30th outside of L.L. Bean's Maine headquarters.

“We’ve always wanted a store in Michigan,” Greg Elder, the company’s vice president of stores, told The Macomb Daily. “We spent four or five years looking around until we found this space in Clinton Township. It became pretty clear this has the right mix of customers and outdoor recreation opportunities. That sealed the deal for us.”

L.L. Bean is also featuring its Bootmobile, a motorized replica of the Bean Boot, which will be on display from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. It will also take part in the Woodward Dream Cruise on Friday

From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, hands-on activities and games will be offered for kids.

Partridge Creek general manager Wendy Batiste-Johnson said the store will draw shoppers from surrounding counties to Clinton Township.

“We are thrilled L.L.Bean is now open at the Mall at Partridge Creek and are proud to offer another great retailer for our customers at this premier shopping destination in Macomb County,” she said.

L.L. Bean will provide about 100 jobs in Clinton Township, according to a news release.

Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said the store is sure to be a hit with outdoor enthusiasts.

“Here in Macomb County, we like our cars, we like our trails, we like being outdoors,” he told The Macomb Daily. “This store fits right into that lifestyle. I think they made a perfect pick with the location.”

Ken Kacere, senior vice-president and general manager of retail at L.L.Bean concurs.

“People in the Clinton area love their outdoor activities. From paddling and fishing on the Clinton River and in Lake St. Clair, to cycling along the Clinton River Trail, we know this is going to be a great home for us because of all of the great outdoor activities to be had, all within a stone's throw from the store,” he said in a news release. “Lots of people know us through our catalogs and website, but our newest store in Michigan will give folks in the Detroit area the chance to experience the true essence of an outdoor store and the L.L.Bean brand firsthand.”

L.L.Bean made the decision to continue to expand its retail presence into Michigan as part of its overall retail expansion plan and due to the store's proximity to several abundant natural resources and multiple opportunities for many outdoor activities, as well as a population base that enjoys regularly engaging in a variety of outdoor pursuits.

The store will allow the people of the greater Detroit area and beyond to experience first-hand everything that the legendary outdoor retailer has to offer, such as quality merchandise, a welcoming shopping environment and a large roster of ongoing demonstrations and clinics on a number of outdoor topics.

Of particular note will be the inclusion of L.L.Bean's Outdoor Discovery Schools, which will offer demonstrations, clinics and introductory hands-on activities like snowshoeing, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, archery and fly casting, all designed to make it easy for people to engage in outdoor activities for health, fitness and recreation. L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery Schools' courses are offered at every L.L.Bean Retail Store.

In 2015, over 140,000 people participated in these programs.

The Clinton Township store is located at 17420 Hall Road and will be open from10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.

Image: Mike Mozart via Flickr / Creative Commons