Backcountry North : Passion & Purpose

Backcountry North

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Tracy Mayer has owned Backcountry North since 2000, but her roots in the outdoor industry stretch back to her youth. As a young girl, Tracy would tag along with her father who was a sales representative.

As a high school and college student, Tracey worked at Backcountry Outfitters, the original Traverse City location. Founded in 1978, Backcountry Outfitters sold camping gear, packs, apparel, and much more. She recalled “often pitching in whenever the owners needed extra help.”

A law degree from Wayne State University Law School took her from the Traverse City area. However, her love of nature kept drawing her back to the outdoor industry. In 1995, she joined the West Bay Trading Company and worked with brands such as Teva, Ugg, and Marmot.

Back in Traverse City, the owners of the 2,800 square foot store were looking to retire. When they reached out to Tracy, she jumped at the chance.

With her experiences at West Bay Trading Company and as the owner of a women’s clothing boutique in New York City, Tracy has grown the business from that original store into Michigan’s largest independent outdoor specialty retailer.

Rad Facts

Proprietor

Tracy Mayer

Location

Traverse City & Birmingham

Product

Adventure apparel, footwear, and equipment

Philanthropy

Involved in watershed protection programs, provides funds for local river cleanups and sponsor of Six River Land Conservancy's Adventure League.

Growing up in Traverse City right on Lake Michigan, Tracy knows the importance of conserving our great lakes and land.

According to its website, Backcountry North “is passionate about getting people outside to enjoy outdoor recreation activities, nature, and adventure travel while also protecting the environment in which we enjoy these pursuits.”

Tracy rebranded the store to Backcountry North and opened additional locations in Birmingham, MI and Traverse City, MI. Backcountry North currently boasts a total 16,000 square feet of retail space and more than four times the annual sales of the original store. Backcountry North also employs 35 local staff members.

Outdoor recreation generates $18.7 billion in annual consumer spending in Michigan, according to the most recent national surveys conducted for the Outdoor Industry Association. About 194,000 Michigan residents are directly employed in the outdoor industry. Nationally, outdoor recreation employs 6.1 million people and generates $646 billion in annual consumer spending.

Backcountry North not only supplies the community with the physical supplies to create memories out on the water or camping in the trees, but they also help their community preserve the natural resources as well.

In partnership with national brands such as Patagonia, Backcountry North has provided funds for local river cleanups throughout the year.

In Southeast Michigan, Backcountry North has teamed up with Six Rivers Land Conservancy to sponsor the Conservancy’s Adventure League. The Adventure League encourages the public to discover Southeastern Michigan’s wealth of outdoor recreation opportunities by inviting residents outside to hike, bike, and kayak. Backcountry North’s staff have gotten involved by helping lead hikes and other outdoor trips.

In the Grand Traverse region, Backcountry North supports the Boardman River Restoration. In partnership with national brands such as Patagonia, Backcountry North has provided funds for local river cleanups throughout the year.

These are just two examples of the numerous land and watershed protection programs that Backcountry North participates in each year.

Protecting Michigan’s natural resources is an important part of growing her business. By giving back to the community, Tracy and her staff are working to protect Michigan’s land and water so that their customers can enjoy the Great Lakes State today and for generations to come.

Outdoor recreation generates $18.7 billion in annual consumer spending in Michigan, according to the most recent national surveys conducted for the Outdoor Industry Association.