FREEPORT, Maine — L.L. Bean is wrapping up its weeklong 100th anniversary celebration.
The finale for the outdoors retailer on Saturday was planned to feature musician Chris Isaak as well as a fireworks display in the company’s hometown, Freeport.
Earlier in the week, there was a road race, parade and appearances by Red Sox mascot Wally and Olympic snowboarding gold medalist Seth Wescott.
The company got its start in 1912 when L.L. Bean obtained the state’s list of out-of-staters with hunting licenses, and sent mailings touting his rubber-soled hunting boot. Most of the boots failed but he earned goodwill be refunding money. Five years later, he opened his first store in Freeport.
You would be hard pressed to find better products for camping out in the living room, watching the outdoors on T.V.
replace “better” with “more expensive” and youve got a true statement!
Too bad this new generation company wouldn’t buy American made goods.Every item in catalog “imported”,way to go L.L.Bean
Not true. Type “USA” in the searchbox on http://www.llbean.com and you get 920 items. Many are made here in Maine. Full disclosure: I am an L.L.Bean retiree.
If looking in one of LL Bean’s clothing catalogs, almost EVERY item includes “imported” in the description. Bean takes advantages of quaint Maine place names like “Allagash” and “Eastport” and imports their crap from Asian countries with horrible labor and environmental regulations.
Way to go, Bean. Thanks so much for staying true to your roots.