South Branch Market opens at corner of M-72 and Wakeley Bridge Road

The owners of one local convenience store recently opened another location in the county, and they’re gearing up for a busy summer season.

Terry Wright, owner of Kelloggs Bridge Grocery, said her family operates three small businesses, including the new South Branch Market.

“I, along with my husband, Rick, and son, James, operate the stores. Our son William also helps with the accounting,” Wright said.

The family opened Kelloggs Bridge Grocery (located at 9439 E. North Down River Road) in 2017.

“Previously, the store was named Kelloggs Bridge One Stop Shop. The store had been closed for approximately four years prior to us opening the doors as Kelloggs Bridge Grocery,” Wright said. 

Wright said the family bought South Branch Market – previous versions of the location included Larry & Joan’s and Rivertown Party Store – in 2017 and opened it late last year. South Branch Market is located at the corner of M-72 and Wakeley Bridge Road.

“(South Branch Market) was closed 14 years before we purchased it in 2017. We focused on opening and becoming established at (Kelloggs Bridge Grocery) before we opened South Branch Market in October of 2022,” Wright said. “The store is named South Branch after the South Branch of the AuSable River.”

Wright said opening during a time outside of the normal summer tourist season gave the family “an opportunity to settle in and work out any problems that arise when opening a new business.”

“We believe we will be a great addition to the community and business will pick up as we grow our selections and add needed products and services,” Wright said. “We have already gotten to know many local customers in the area and are looking forward to summer and the tourist season that will bring many fishermen, kayakers, golfers, campers, and cottage owners into our store.”

Wright said Kelloggs Bridge Grocery has built community relationships through participating in the Lovells Bridge Walk (providing breakfast), and the family is “looking forward to building a relationship with and supporting the community in Grayling Township” through South Branch Market.

“My family has been coming to the area for over 70 years. I grew up coming here to Lovells in the summers, so the area is special to us. When we had an opportunity to purchase a home in the area, we decided Lovells is where we wanted to settle,” Wright said. “We enjoy being part of the community.”

Kelloggs Bridge Grocery offers pizza, food, snacks, bait, hunting licenses, fishing licenses, recreational fuel, alcoholic beverages, ice, and more, according to the store.

South Branch Market offers a similar set of items, and the family is looking to add more.

“South Branch Market carries groceries, beer, wine, hunting/fishing supplies, firewood, and all the staples our customers might need,” Wright said. “As we grow the business, we plan to add a kitchen. To begin with we will plan to offer grab and go items like fresh salads, subs, and deli items. In the colder months we would like to add soups and chili to our carry out/grab and go items. We take many requests and do our best to carry any products our customers need.”

A few years ago, Kelloggs Bridge Grocery added canoe rentals to its business, and now both stores will offer canoeing.

“Bear Paw Canoes opened in 2019,” Wright said. “We offer canoe and kayak trips on the South Branch and Main Stream of the AuSable River from Chase Bridge on the South Branch to Camp 10 near Mio on the Main Stream. We also offer tube trips from Conners Flat landing to McMasters and Parmalee to Whirlpool landings. We run many shuttles and car spots for customers needing their vehicle moved. We will operate Bear Paw Canoes out of both locations.”

Wright said the family is happy to have both stores up and running.

“We love getting to know and becoming friends with our customers,” Wright said. “It is rewarding to hear the memories and stories from when they were children coming into the stores. At Kelloggs we still use the original wood Bernie Griner cooler as our beer cave and an old meat processing room one of the old owners added on as a deer processing room. Both stores have a rich history. Many customers appreciate us reopening the stores and enjoy the convenience of having a local market.” 

Wright said some employees work at both stores.

“Our team members are family to us,” Wright said. “We have dedicated employees that are willing to work hard to help us operate both locations; we appreciate all of their effort.”