The Gray Owl Outdoors

05/30/2026

🦉 Opening Weekend Giveaway Winners 🦉

Thank you to everyone who stopped in during our opening weekend, explored the shop, shared encouragement, entered our giveaways, and helped make the launch of The Gray Owl Outdoors so special.

We're excited to announce our giveaway winners!

🎣 Outpost Adventure Basket Winner:
Mike Grayson

🛶 Summer Kayak Adventure Giveaway Winner:
Richard Dobis

Congratulations! We will be reaching out to arrange pickup and details for your prizes.

We are incredibly grateful for the warm welcome, thoughtful conversations, and support we've received from the community. From outdoor enthusiasts sharing stories to visitors excited about rentals, local products, and future adventures, opening weekend reminded us exactly why we started this journey.

This is only the beginning. More gear, rentals, events, and outdoor experiences are still to come.

Thank you for being part of the adventure. ❤️

📍The Gray Owl Outdoors
402 Sunday Lake Street
Wakefield, MI

05/21/2026

Meet Sadie Mae 🐾
Official Snow Patrol Captain of The Gray Owl Outdoors.

Sadie is the four-legged sidekick of Tori and a two-year-old “Pitsky” — half Husky and half Red Nose Pit, complete with one blue eye and one brown eye.

Just like Tori, Sadie loves being outdoors. Whether it’s hiking in the woods, running trails, or exploring nature, she’s happiest outside and always ready for the next adventure. Right now she’s learning mushing commands and joining Tori on training hikes and outdoor adventures.

Sadie is incredibly friendly, full of energy, and always wants to be by her mom’s side… unless she spots a squirrel first. Then all bets are off. 😂

You’ll probably see Sadie around the shop, out on the trails, and helping us test out outdoor adventures along the way 🦉

05/20/2026

Meet Cash 🐾

Official Trail Scout for The Gray Owl Outdoors.

Cash takes his job seriously. Whether it’s checking shoreline conditions, testing water temps, scouting the next trail, or trying out the newest toys, he’s always ready to explore and play. Crazy, curious, and always close by, he’s the kind of adventure partner who reminds us to soak up the sun and enjoy the outdoors a little more.

Favorite activities include swimming, toy inspections, trail walks, and keeping a close eye on the best sunbathing spots.

You’ll probably see Cash around the shop, out on the trails, and helping us test out outdoor adventures along the way 🦉

05/17/2026

As we wrap up opening weekend at The Gray Owl Outdoors, I wanted to take a moment to properly introduce not just the store, but the heart behind it.

Why “The Gray Owl Outdoors”?

“Gray” comes from my last name and felt important to keep as part of the identity behind the business. It’s represented not only in my first business “Touch of Gray Interiors”, but also in the roots that helped shape me. Without the grounding, the support, and the encouragement from my family, many of my dreams would have never become goals, let alone accomplishments.

The “Owl” stood out to me because owls represent wisdom, awareness, curiosity, and quietly observing the world around them. It felt fitting for the kind of space I hope to create.

You may have wondered why “Outdoors” instead of “Outfitters.”

The Gray Owl Outdoors was created to be more than a gear shop.

Truthfully, I wanted this space to feel welcoming to everyone.

“Outfitters” can sometimes sound intimidating or geared only toward experienced adventurers. While I absolutely love quality gear and helping people prepare for bigger trips, I also care deeply about the beginner. The person renting their first kayak, the family looking for an easy trail, or the person who simply wants to spend a little more time outside but doesn’t know where to start.

I wanted this to feel like a community outpost. A place where people can ask questions, learn, plan adventures, drink a good cup of coffee, swap stories, and feel encouraged to get outside in whatever way fits them.

So I put it all together to create The Gray Owl Outdoors as a reminder to our community, locals and visitors alike, that you do not have to summit mountains to belong here.

Sometimes the best adventure is simply being outdoors.

05/16/2026

A few little corners of The Gray Owl Outdoors 🦉

Yesterday brought kind conversations, familiar faces, curiosity, encouragement, and people excited to see something new growing in Wakefield.

One of my favorite parts so far has been watching people slow down, explore the gear, talk about adventures, and simply spending time in the space.

This shop is still growing and evolving, but seeing people begin connecting with it already means more than I can explain.

Thank you to everyone who stopped in for opening day ❤️

We’re continuing Opening Weekend today and tomorrow, and everyone who visits can enter our two giveaways:

🦉 The Outpost Basket

🛶 Summer Adventure Giveaway
Featuring a future kayak rental experience as we prepare for rentals launching June 1.

Winners will be drawn next week.

Open today from 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM. Open Sunday 10:30 AM - 3:30 PM.

Stop in, say hi and explore the new space.

📍402 Sunday Lake Street, Wakefield

05/15/2026

Today’s the day 🦉

The Gray Owl Outdoors officially opens today in Wakefield.

This space was built from a love of the outdoors, community, adventure, and the simple idea that good gear and good people bring stories to life.

There have been a lot of long days, learning curves, excitement, nerves, coffee, laughter, and support poured into getting these doors open, and I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who encouraged this adventure along the way.

Whether you stop in to browse, talk fishing, check out gear, plan an adventure, grab a gift, or just say hello, we’re excited to welcome you.

We’ll also be doing two Opening Weekend Giveaways for everyone who stops in Friday through Sunday:

🦉 The Outpost Basket
Featuring some of our favorite shop items, local treats, and Gray Owl goodies.

🛶 Summer Adventure Giveaway
Win a future kayak rental experience as we prepare to launch rentals beginning June 1.

Winners will be drawn next Wednesday.

Like any good adventure, we know this is just the beginning. We still have more inventory, ideas, and experiences we’ll continue adding as we grow, but we simply couldn’t wait any longer to open the doors and start welcoming people in.

Opening Weekend Hours:
Friday 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Sunday 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM

📍402 Sunday Lake Street, Wakefield

Thank you for being here at the beginning of this adventure ❤️

05/15/2026

05/14/2026

Let us continue introducing you to some of the people behind The Gray Owl Outdoors.

This is Tori 👋

Growing up on a lake in the Northwoods, I spent most of my childhood outside exploring the woods, fishing, hiking, kayaking, foraging, and spending time on the water.

The outdoors has always been a huge part of my life, and over the years that love for nature turned into a real passion for helping others enjoy it too.

For over 20 years, I’ve worked as a ski instructor at what is now Snowriver Mountain Resort, helping individuals and groups learn to downhill ski safely and confidently.

I truly believe the outdoors is something everyone should be able to enjoy, and I’m excited to share my appreciation, knowledge, and passion for the outdoors with the community through The Gray Owl Outdoors.

You’ll see me around the shop, out in the community, and helping people get ready for their next adventure.

We’re are in the final count down for opening and I can’t wait to welcome everyone in tomorrow.
We will be open 10:30am-4:30pm🦉

05/13/2026

As we get closer to opening, we wanted to start introducing you to some of the people behind The Gray Owl Outdoors.

I’m Elizabeth, the owner and founder of The Gray Owl Outdoors.

The outdoors has always been a huge part of my life. Some of my favorite days are the simple ones spent kayaking, fishing, hiking, or just being outside in the U.P.

I am also involved with Search & Rescue and the local fire department, and those experiences have really shaped how I look at the outdoors and helping people prepare for it. Everyone starts somewhere and not everyone feels confident getting outside right away. I have always believed in meeting people where they’re at, helping people feel prepared, and making the outdoors feel less intimidating.

That’s a big part of why The Gray Owl was created.

I wanted it to feel like more than just a store. A place where people can stop in, ask questions, learn something new, support local businesses, rent gear, share stories, and feel connected to both the outdoors and the community around them.

A lot of thought has gone into making this space feel approachable, local, and real to who we are here in the U.P.

We’re still getting everything together, but we’re getting close now, and I’m really excited to open the doors Friday and finally share this space with all of you.

Thank you for following along while we build this little dream! 🦉

05/10/2026

Our new arrivals are aimed to make your next outdoor adventure a breeze!!