Yooper Life started with family and was shaped by life in the U.P.
Bob’s roots in the Upper Peninsula run deep. His family has been connected to the Crystal Falls area for generations. He grew up surrounded by lakes, dirt roads, and the kind of everyday simplicity that defined life in the Northwoods. After years of living in a one-room cottage on Chicaugon Lake, his grandparents built a new home there in 1979. Passed down through the family, it continues to serve as the cornerstone of their life in the U.P.
His upbringing in the U.P. built a foundation of family, tradition, and an appreciation for the quiet, meaningful moments. Now, as a father, he cherishes the chance to continue passing those traditions down in a place they are proud to call home, where they hope to retire when the time comes, surrounded by generations of family who still live nearby, many along the same lake.
Born from Bob and Angie Hawke’s love for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Yooper Life started small and kept growing, one idea at a time.
Their journey began with a simple wish: to carry a piece of the UP wherever they went. But when they couldn’t find gear that captured the beauty and simplicity of the North in styles and colors they loved, they decided to put their backgrounds in graphic design to work and take matters into their own hands. Angie crafted logos that Bob brought to life through embroidery and engraving, creating unique pieces to share with friends, family, and neighbors. As requests grew for more colors and new products, they realized they had something special and Yooper Life was born.
Every piece in the shop is inspired by real moments and everyday needs up north, shaped by the little things that make life in the UP what it is.
In the fabric of Yooper Life, the difference is in the thread.
We chose embroidery over screen printing for our logos because it offers a superior and more durable result. Embroidery creates a textured, raised design that not only looks more premium but also lasts longer, withstanding the test of time and countless adventures in the Northwoods.
Our product line has grown beyond premium apparel to UP essentials like stainless steel tumblers for keeping drinks cold on the lake, coozies to keep your hands warm on the ice, caps to keep the sun off your face on the dock, and knit hats to keep the frost off your ears on the trails. Made for real life up north, every piece is built to last long enough to become your favorite old sweatshirt or lucky fishing tumbler.
Need a bulk order for your general store, camp crew, fish fry, or family reunion? Reach out for wholesale pricing. And if you're looking for custom embroidery or engraving, our sibling company Promo906 has you covered.
