Long before Theodore Roosevelt took office, the radio hit the airwaves, or the first Tournament of Roses was played (Michigan defeated Stanford 49-0), State Street was a popular destination for shoppers, diners, and university students in the heart of downtown Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Nickels family built the three historical buildings that Bivouac occupies today and is the namesake of the first glass-covered shopping street in the USA. The Nickels Arcade borders the north side of Bivouacs store, and reminds us of the Ann Arbor history and tradition of which our store has become a part.

Bivouac first opened its doors in 1970 a bit further west than its current location, in Iowa City, Iowa, where Ed Davidson, a student at the University of Iowa with a passion for both the outdoors and business, began selling used military tents, packs, and clothing. A year later, Ed moved to Ann Arbor and brought the store with him - minus some of the used clothing. As his hair got shorter and he traveled the world, the clothing lines Bivouac carried were updated and the store evolved from the last stop for vintage tents and bell-bottoms to one of the largest suppliers of outdoor gear, apparel, and fashion clothing in the Midwest.

The 80s brought leg warmers, Madonna, and a women's fashion department to Bivouac. Lisa Weiss, a fashion buyer from New York City, joined the team to build a collection of premium apparel and accessories to meet the growing demand of Ann Arbor's young, trendy students. In the last 20 years, the women's and men's fashion apparel collections at Bivouac have grown to include an extensive selection of high-end fashion denim to fit every style and budget.

Since their early days, Ed, Lisa, and the rest of the Bivouac management team have built a business that has become an Ann Arbor tradition, an institution even. As much a destination as the University of Michigan Stadium, Bivouac has been offering an extensive and ever-growing selection of outdoor apparel, adventure gear, and fashion clothing for over 35 years.

The doors to their web site are always open, but if you are ever in the area, be sure to drop by and visit the fine folks at Bivouac to learn what has made them a required destination for over a million University of Michigan students and alumni the world over. While you're there, be sure to ask Ed to share a few tales about his latest outdoor adventure!