Eastside Golf, the golf lifestyle brand, has opened its first U.S.-based retail store at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW).
Spanning approximately 300 square feet, the store offers a curated selection of the brand’s apparel and accessories, including its Swingman sweatshirts, tracksuits performance polos, and bucket hats.
Founded by former Morehouse College golf teammates Olajuwon Ajanaku and Earl Cooper, Eastside Golf has benefited from forming partnerships with Jordan Brand, the NBA, MLB, and major U.S. retailers.
“I came up with the idea for Eastside Golf while I was working in finance in Detroit,” said Ajanaku. “I remember showing Earl a sketch of our Swingman logo, and he suggested I put it on a t-shirt. I did, and I was stopped so many times while I was walking around Detroit by people asking where I got this shirt. At that point, I knew there was something there, and Eastside Golf was born. With that history, it just feels right to open our first store here.”
“Detroit, and the state of Michigan, will always have a special place in my heart,“ said Cooper, who was born in Flint, MI, and spent years working as a PGA teaching pro at the Detroit Golf Club. “I was born in Flint and became the first-ever Black PGA teaching professional at the Detroit Golf Club. To be able to open our first store in a city that has so much meaning for both Olajuwon and me feels like a full circle moment for our brand.”
Earlier this year, Eastside Golf announced partnerships with Nordstrom, Golf Galaxy, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and House of Sport, while continuing to expand its presence in streetwear and golf pro shop locations. The company also operates a retail store in Tokyo in partnership with High Draw. Eastside Golf is also featured in 10 PGA Tour Shops, having launched at the chain in 2024.
“Eastside Golf transcends culture, music, streetwear, and golf, creating clothing that appeals to both golfers and non-golfers alike,“ said Aaron Bonham, senior vice president, chief merchandising officer at Paradies Lagardère. “We saw how well the brand was selling in our partner stores, and it was a natural evolution to partner with them to open their own retail location. As golf continues to gain more cultural relevancy and credibility, we anticipate this store will perform incredibly well and look forward to expanding our partnership through our PGA Tour Shops and future Eastside Golf locations.”
Image courtesy Eastside Golf
