Inside the Oldest Family-Owned Grocery Store in America

"Established in 1884, I've found Doud’s Market on Mackinac Island to be a charming, old‑fashioned yet practical grocery that serves as the island’s Main Street hub and is celebrated as America’s oldest family‑owned grocery store. Under fourth‑generation owner Andrew Doud the 4,500‑square‑foot store — in a building dating to 1885 — was revitalized with fresh meat, produce, bakery items, and a grab‑and‑go deli offering whitefish dip, chicken pot pie, subs, and salads; signature items include the cherry chicken salad and cherry chicken salad wrap, and the market’s freshly made pizza (toppings range from Italian sausage and mushrooms to banana peppers) is a popular quick option. Modern conveniences such as self‑checkouts, online ordering, and a summer delivery service routed by horse‑drawn carriages sit alongside nostalgic touches — 19th‑century family and archival photos over the produce — reflecting the island’s car‑free character; the market is the only grocery in downtown Mackinac, stays open year‑round (busiest July through mid‑August), and faces unique purchasing and pricing challenges compared with big‑box stores." - Derin Yilmaz