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Our History
From a single Michigan ski shop to a year round community hub for skiers, riders, and families.
Our Story
Sun & Snow opened in January 1971 in Belleville, Michigan with a simple philosophy: treat every guest like family and match them with gear that keeps them outside longer.
In 1980, the shop moved to Stadium Boulevard in Ann Arbor, offering skis and snowboards in the winter and swimwear, skate, and windsurf gear in the summer. The store quickly became a year-round hub for local outdoor enthusiasts.
By the early 1990s, founders Bob and Bill Parent saw the rise of inline skating and jumped in early. They organized skating competitions and races around Ann Arbor, launched an outdoor inline hockey league at Buhr Park, and began construction on a new store and indoor inline hockey arena on Jackson Road, completed in 1995.
The arena was named J.D. Jeffrey Arena in honor of Bob and Bill’s late mother, Jean Doris Jeffrey. It featured an NHL-sized SportCourt rink, dasher boards, and a 110' x 25' wooden skate bowl called The Badlands. Designed by an engineer and painted with a desert mural, it became a local landmark. Families still remember the birthday parties, all-night skates, open sessions with portable ramps, Junior Jeffrey mornings, and the legendary Camp Jeffrey summer camps.
In 2003, the Jackson Road property was sold to Sesi Lincoln and the shop moved to Westgate Mall in Ann Arbor. In 2010, Sun & Snow opened its Downtown Plymouth location beside Kellogg Park and became an active part of city events and traditions.
That same year, Bob Parent transitioned the business to the second generation, his son Rob Parent and Rob’s wife Heidi. They carried forward the focus on expert service, genuine advice, and community connection.
In 2015, the Ann Arbor store returned to Jackson Road with a modern facility. Most recently, in 2024, Sun & Snow opened the Service Center on Jackson Plaza, investing in state-of-the-art tuning technology featuring Wintersteiger Jupiter with ceramic polishing and V Edge precision.
From the 1971 beginnings to today’s Ann Arbor and Plymouth locations, Sun & Snow remains proudly family owned, Michigan grown, and dedicated to helping every skier, rider, and family enjoy their best days on snow.
Milestones
1971 - Belleville
Sun & Snow opens in January 1971 in Belleville, Michigan.
Sun & Snow opens in January 1971 in Belleville, Michigan.
1980 - Ann Arbor
The shop relocates to Stadium Boulevard to serve a growing community.
The shop relocates to Stadium Boulevard to serve a growing community.
1995 - Jackson Road and J.D. Jeffrey Arena
New store and indoor inline hockey arena with The Badlands skate bowl.
New store and indoor inline hockey arena with The Badlands skate bowl.
2003 - Westgate Mall
Property sold to Sesi Lincoln and the shop moves to Westgate Mall.
Property sold to Sesi Lincoln and the shop moves to Westgate Mall.
2010 - Downtown Plymouth and second generation
Store opens alongside Kellogg Park. Bob transitions leadership to Rob and Heidi Parent.
Store opens alongside Kellogg Park. Bob transitions leadership to Rob and Heidi Parent.
2015 - Back to Jackson Road
Ann Arbor store returns to Jackson Road with a modern facility.
Ann Arbor store returns to Jackson Road with a modern facility.
2024 - Service Center on Jackson Plaza
State of the art tuning with Wintersteiger Jupiter, ceramic polishing, and V Edge.
State of the art tuning with Wintersteiger Jupiter, ceramic polishing, and V Edge.
People first
Service Center and workshop
Our Service Center on Jackson Plaza brings advanced tuning to the region. From precise base structure to ceramic edge finishing and V Edge precision, the goal is simple: make every day on snow feel better.
Community impact
Downtown Plymouth since 2010
Our Plymouth store sits alongside Kellogg Park and is active in city events, film nights, and holiday traditions.
Clubs, schools, and causes
We support school programs, run annual coat drives, and host community gatherings that get more people outside.
Photo gallery
