OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich. — The Ottawa Beach General Store is reopening just in time for Memorial Day weekend, ready to dish up ice cream, souvenirs and nostalgia to beachgoers.
The general store was built in the 1930s near Lake Macatawa and Holland State Park, making it the perfect destination for people to buy camping supplies or stop for an ice cream cone.
"The holiday weekend is always a busy time for us," said longtime store operator Linda Dykert. "It's the unofficial start of summer, and I'm so grateful our doors will be open again for customers."
Management decided last year that the structure needed to be rebuilt and renovated. So after the 2023 summer season came to a close, construction to update the building began.
You won't notice many changes, though—Dykert said the store is still the same iconic red color, and the roofline and front porch haven't changed.
"I think they'll be surprised by how the store looks and feels – the same as it always has,” she said.
Now, the store is ready to reopen and welcome customers for the 2024 season.
“The Ottawa Beach General Store has been a mainstay for decades and I’m so thankful that building ownership put the work in to keep the tradition alive,” said Dykert. “I’m looking forward to seeing the front porch full of smiling faces again this summer.”
The Ottawa Beach General Store reopens at noon on Friday, May 24.
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