Ed Davidson founded Bivouac in 1971 as a US Army surplus business.
Bivouac is holding a solemn event on Saturday October 9th, the day of the 50th anniversary of the business.
Bivouac, Ann Arbor’s independent outdoor equipment and clothing store, celebrates a major milestone this October – his 50th year in business, wholly family owned.
Ed Davidson, now 71, founded Bivouac in 1971 as a US Army surplus business. Much of the country, including students in Ann Arbor, protested the Vietnam War at the time. The clothing of choice among these students and Protesters was Army excess equipment.
Ed Davidson founded Bivouac in 1971 as a US Army surplus business.
“When the war ended, people wanted different clothes, so I switched to newer clothes,” Ed said.
Bivouac has evolved over the years and now sees itself as premium outdoor clothing and Gear shop and a contemporare fashion boutique in one. In addition to outdoor equipment such as coats and camping supplies, Bivouac now also sells jewelry, casual wear and housewares.
In 1973 it moved from its original location on William Street to the Nickels Arcade shopping districtt, 336 South State St. The store, which started in a small upstairs apartment, soon started buying storefronts in the arcade. By the early 1990s, it acquired all four storefronts it currently inhabits.
The four storefronts of Bivouac in the Nickels Arcade shopping district in Ann Arbor.
AJ Davidson, Ed’s son and the current president of Bivouac, worked in the shop all his life.
“Since I was a little kid, I’ve been organizing the back storage rooms, calculating the goods and doing wAll random tasks had to be done, ”said AJ.
AJ worked as a saleswoman in high school before joIn 2008, after college, full-time with the team, first as a manager, then as a vice-president and now as a president.
“I’ve played every role in the store at some point in my life,” he said.
As with most retailers, the business saw its share of fightingthe COVID-19 pandemic.
“It was really tough. There were times when we didn’t think we would make it and thought we might have to close, ”said AJ.
Trying to find ways to weather the pandemic after it was closed for several months,I started a new website, offers curb pickup and expands same day delivery radius to reach more people.
“We also changed what we brought into the store to suit people’s buying habits during the pandemic, such as loungewear and housewares,” AJ said.
“Of the 50 years, the toughest one was last year, no question about it,” added Ed. “But we like to say things begin to normalize. “
Ed Davidson is semi-retired but still comes in a few days a week to chat with regular customers, as well as on the busy days.
Bivouac has customers who have been shopping with them since the 1970sS.
Add costMers Ed has even known the store for 50 years to say hello when they return to Ann Arbor for soccer games.
“First they buy for themselves and now they buy for their grandchildren when they get to town,” Ed said.
Ed Davidson founded Bivouac in 1971 as a US Army surplus business.
Together with familiar customers saw Ed familiar employees. The store has also seen two or three children of former employees working in the store.
“I am very happy to have created something that lasts, and we would not have made it without the community.”
The key to the store’s success, according to the senior Davidson, is showing up.
“I got what I wanted to do and I did it by showing up,” Ed said. “90% of life just shows up and I showed up every day, worked hard and I think that is the shop is probably still there. “
Ed Davidson founded Bivouac in 1971 as a US Army surplus business.
AJ is on a similar wavelength and is just as excited about what the next 50 years will bring.
“It’s pretty amazing that there has been a store for 50 years these days, especially in times of COVID and the breakIons have to adapt somehow to survive these days, ”he said. “We are constantly adapting to the needs of our customers. That’s how we survived for so long. “
Bivouac’s anniversary sale week lasts from October 4th to 10th, with selected items on sale.
Bivouac is also hosA festive event will be held on Saturday, October 9th, the day of the 50th anniversary of the business. In addition to door prizes, Bivouac is giving away items every hour. Ten percent of sales are donated to the Huron River Watershed Council.
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