Hi Friends! 

If we haven’t met, my name is Erin and I’m the newest member of the Akinz team. I thought it would be fun to get the lowdown from Suzanne and write a post to celebrate the Akinz store anniversary. Keep reading for a li’l history lesson and a huge fist bump to Suzanne for bringing us the Akinz brand. 🙂

When Suzanne Akin moved the Akinz brand into the Old Town location eleven years ago, she didn’t know what to expect but she knew in her heart she could make it work. She had the talent, the drive, the brains, and the patience needed to bring her brand to the brick-and-mortar location it still occupies today. The first few years were a true labor of love, but she pushed ahead with positivity, long days, and lots of elbow grease. The Fort Collins community soon discovered Suzanne was a one-woman powerhouse of creativity and handcrafting skill. With the support of customers near and far, the Akinz store soon became more successful than she ever imagined.

From its humble beginnings in 2005, Akinz has evolved into much more than a brand and a store. Akinz is a community. A community that grew with its founder, embracing her journey from a wakeboarding brand in Texas to a snowboarding brand in Steamboat Springs, and finally to the vibrant, familiar brand Fort Collins knows and loves. Akinz has become synonymous with the Fort Collins lifestyle and has always been, at its core, a celebration of the outdoors, of bikes, beer, mountains, and every adventure in between.

Suzanne begins each original piece with a concept, brings it to life through design, and prints, knits, and finishes every piece by hand with the help of her small team of three. The result? A lineup of clothing that's not only a reflection of passion but also a commitment to sustainability, creativity, and craftsmanship. 

With hand printed tees featuring Suzanne's original designs, and super cool handcrafted beanies, it’s always fun to browse and shop at the Akinz store. But Akinz isn’t just about shopping. It’s about community, friendship, adventure, and welcoming each customer into the Fort Collins lifestyle with open arms.  

As Akinz celebrates its eleventh anniversary in the Old Town Fort Collins location, let’s raise a glass (a pint glass of course) to a symbol of the adventurous spirit within us all. Here's to many more years of community, adventure, and finding the extraordinary in every day. 

Happy anniversary, Akinz Old Town! 🎉