About MACkite
Who is MACkite?
MACkite was founded in 1981 as a kite shop in Mackinaw City, MI. Today we have two stores in Grand Haven, MI and carry not only kites, but windsocks, banners, toys, games, and boardsports like kiteboarding, wing foiling, and eFoil!
Although our product selection has grown over the years, we've remained true to our mission: to be "Where FUN Begins!™"
We carefully select each product we stock so that our customers know they'll be getting a quality item that's a ton of fun. Whether you're visiting us in-store or online, you can shop with confidence.
What brands does MACkite carry?
Too many to list! Some major brands you'll find at our Toy & Surf Shop include Playmobil, Brio Wooden Railway, Calico Critters, Blue Orange, Gamewright, Ravensburger, Prism Kites, and Hape.
View more Kite, Toy & Surf brands online.
Some major brands you can choose from at our Boardsports Center are Cabrinha, Duotone, F-One, North, Slingshot, and Foil Drive.
How long has MACkite been shipping orders?
We've been filling mail orders almost as long as we've been around. With our first location in Mackinaw City, MI and our current location in Grand Haven, MI, both of which are popular tourist towns, we quickly discovered that our customers loved to call us up and ask us to ship them items they'd wished they'd bought while visiting. Then they called back to order more for their friends- or to replace the one their friends "borrowed"!
In 1998, already with over 15 years' shipping experience, we launched our website, making it even easier for our customers who were online to order. We still took most of our orders by phone since many people did not yet have regular internet access, but even today, with our online shop just a tap away on your cell, we'll gladly answer the phone and help you pick just the right items for us to ship to your door.
Does MACkite have any events I can attend?
Yes! We love bringing the fun outside the store. In the fall, we head down to the beach in Muskegon or Grand Haven to fly kites- kiteboarding kites! You'll also find wings, foils, and eFoils. Whether or not you plan to get in the water, the King of the Great Lakes Boardsports Test Fest is a must-see. Boardsports brand reps and enthusiasts from all over crowd the beach with the upcoming season's new gear. Watch them race across the lake at breakneck speeds and soar high into the air. When the wind's just right, you may even see a little friendly competition among riders to see who can pull off the most impressive tricks. Oh- and all those "kiteboarding fail" videos on YouTube of kiteboarders crashing into the water? That's just a normal part of the sport, and the ones who crash the most are the ones pushing themselves to be the best. You'll see plenty of spectacular tricks and crashes the last weekend of September!
For 3 decades MACkite also hosted the Great Lakes Kite Festival the weekend before Memorial weekend in May. In 2019, the torch was passed to the kitefliers themselves, and the tradition continues at the Grand Haven State Park beach. Make plans to join us and see kite teams perform to music, unique kites designed by the people flying them, and huge show kites bigger than a school bus!
