BIG BAY, Mich, (WZMQ) – Last year, Huron Mountain Outfitters in Big Bay re-opened under the ownership of Charlie Drury and his family.
But according to Charlie, the shop has been a part of the community for much longer.
“We opened the shop in 1994, and we ran it until 2003,” said Charlie. “At that point we sold the business. We ended up coming back in after covid, I guess that’d be 2022 or 2023 so it’s really our second go around at this.”
Charlie’s son Hayden Drury said the family shop was a part of his childhood, and now after getting his business degree, Hayden opened up his own business, Huron Mountain Ice Cream, right across the street from the outfitters.
“I’ve been wanting to bring an ice cream shop to Big Bay for quite some time now,” said Hayden. “Looking to bring good flavor and some excitement to Big Bay.”
So today the two shops owned by father and son cut their ribbons together.
“It’s a real treat not only to have him here in town, but also to have a business across the street,” said Charlie. “We can kind of work together and kind of bounce things back and forth.”
“It’s always been a dream of mine to come into business here in Big Bay and help regenerate some excitement around here,” said Hayden. “So being able to do that with my dad has been a fun personal kind of mission.”
Hayden says he hops his new ice cream shop will be able to help other families make memories and traditions of their own.
“When little Johnny walks in with his parents and he gets himself an ice cream cone and a lollipop,” said Hayden, “and comes back year after year, it would be cool to see Johnny eventually come in with his kids one day and kind of restart that cycle.”
Huron Mountain Outfitters is open 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday – Friday and 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Huron Mountain Ice Cream is open 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.
