Retail location marks major growth milestone for the lifestyle brand, following recent international and US-based expansion
NEW YORK, NY – Eastside Golf, the lifestyle brand redefining the intersection of golf, culture, and fashion, announced the opening of its first U.S.-based retail store in Detroit.
The new store, located at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Terminal A, Gate 34, marks a major milestone for the rapidly growing brand. Operated in partnership with Paradies Lagardère, a global leader in travel retail and the operator of PGA TOUR Shops, the Eastside Golf store will span approximately 300 square feet and offer a curated selection of the brand’s signature apparel and accessories, including its signature Swingman sweatshirts, tracksuits, performance polos and bucket hats for fashion-forward looks on and off the course.
Founded by former Morehouse College golf teammates Olajuwon Ajanaku and Earl Cooper, Eastside Golf has emerged as a cultural force, reshaping the game’s image and appeal through authentic storytelling, barrier-breaking collaborations, and fashion-forward design. The brand’s partnerships with Jordan Brand, the NBA, MLB, and major U.S. retailers have helped expand golf’s reach, change the perception of the game and achieve greater relevance with new audiences around the world.
“I came up with the idea for Eastside Golf while I was working in finance in Detroit,” said Olajuwon Ajanaku, Eastside Golf’s founder and Creative Director. “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 Earl Cooper, co-founder of Eastside Golf, who was born in Flint and spent years working as a PGA Teaching Professional 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.”
Eastside Golf’s U.S. store opening builds on an already expansive 2025 for the brand. Earlier this year, Eastside Golf announced partnerships with leading national fashion and sports retailers, including 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. Since its founding in 2019, Eastside Golf has experienced rapid growth, showcasing the desire among consumers for an updated, relevant and authentic vision and perspective to the game.
The opportunity to open a store in Detroit came about after Eastside Golf products launched in PGA TOUR Shops in 2024 and quickly became a top-selling brand. Its success has led to a presence in 10 PGA TOUR locations, and now the first-ever U.S. standalone store.
“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.”