Our Story

O’Brien’s Shirt Shop has been a Mackinaw City tradition since 1978. Founded by Jerry and Betty O’Brien, the shop began as the area’s first custom t-shirt store, building on years of family entrepreneurship that also included a  putt-putt golf course, arcade, and gift shop. The Putt putt started in 1966 and the arcade and gift shop were quick to follow, with the gift shop opening in 1972. By the mid-80s, the putt-putt land was sold and the arcade closed, but two businesses remained: the original O’Brien’s Treasure Chest gift shop still operated today by the O’Brien family, and O’Brien’s Shirt Shop.

From the very beginning, the shop has been rooted in family, creativity, and community. Now, in its third generation, O’Brien’s continues to thrive in the heart of downtown Mackinaw City, serving both locals and visitors with unique designs and custom apparel.

The Journey

Like any long-standing business, the road hasn’t always been smooth. In the 1980s, Jerry and Betty O’Brien operated multiple businesses along 200 feet of Main Street, but the family was eventually forced to consolidate. When Jerry passed away in 1986, Betty, along with her children Susie and Julius, took on the responsibility of keeping the businesses alive. For years, they carried both the passion for the work. Through many ups and downs the family survived until 2014 when Betty passed after her battle with cancer. Susie and Julius split the responsibilities of the business with Susie taking over control of the gift shop and Julius taking control of the shirt shop. Today, O’Brien’s shirt shop is run by Julius, his Wife Heather and their child Kal who looks to take over the store in the coming years.

What We Do

For nearly 50 years, O’Brien’s Shirt Shop has specialized in one-of-a-kind custom t-shirts. We were the first store in Mackinaw City to print a shirt, and today we remain the only locally owned and family-operated shirt shop in town.

Our specialty is turning ideas into reality. Whether it’s a souvenir to remember Mackinaw, a funny saying, a beloved pet, or a memorial for a loved one, we work quickly and carefully to bring every vision to life in minutes. Between generations of experience and the latest design tools, we’ve never turned away a request we couldn’t fulfill.

Alongside our custom offerings, we provide a wide selection of more than 1,000 designs — ranging from humor and sports to animals, cars, and children’s graphics. In addition to our downtown retail shop, O’Brien’s now operates an e-commerce site where customers can design and order from anywhere, as well as a wholesale business that supplies shirts and promotional products to other companies around the country.

Built on Family and Community

O’Brien’s Shirt Shop is, above all else, a family business. Most of the people who work here are family members or lifelong friends, and we believe that makes our store a welcoming, personal place to shop. The values Jerry and Betty instilled — family first, community support, and helping others even when it’s inconvenient — continue to shape everything we do.

Our customers are part of that family. Many have been visiting us for decades, returning year after year, sometimes spanning multiple generations. Others discover us for the first time and leave with more than a shirt — they leave with a story and a connection.

Our Promise

Every shirt that leaves our shop carries with it nearly 50 years of O’Brien family history. We promise to treat every customer like part of our story, whether you’re designing your first custom shirt, browsing for a souvenir, or working with us on a large business order.

O’Brien’s Shirt Shop is proud to be built on family, strengthened by community, and dedicated to helping every customer create something meaningful.