Michigan
Back Roads
Michigan getaway vacations to
Michigan attractions and Terrific Towns
Good Hart General Store - Good Hart Michigan
The
tiny red store in “downtown” Good Hart has a history all its own. The
current structure was built by resident Cliff Powers in 1935 and
operated as a general grocery, butcher, and gas station until 1971 when
the Powers sold the business to current owner Carolyn (Woods)
Sutherland, who currently operates the grocery, bakery, deli, and post
office with husband Jim Sutherland. Although a post office was
established at Good Hart in 1874, the current location was not used by
the postal service until 1945 when Mr. Powers became postmaster.
Many original features of the store remain intact such as the tinted front windows, the glass-front counter bins, the 1901 National Cash Register (with warranty, albeit expired), and the carved oak “cooling case” which visitors probably don’t realize was in fact just that, a cooling case, which was installed before electricity was available in the area.
Today travelers along Lake Shore Drive (M-119) can’t
help but notice the quaint general store situated steps from the scenic
roadway nestled between the signs marking the area of Good Hart.
Visitors will enjoy homemade baked goods, fresh jams and preserves, a
delicious selection of prepared foods, and a dizzying assortment of the
area’s finest tees and sweats.
For local lodging check www.backroadslodging.com