Running a successful business for 100 years is no small feat. So Oleson’s made sure to celebrate it this month.
The Traverse City-based grocer with four locations, including Petoskey, Charlevoix and two in Traverse City, has been a consistent part of the Northern Michigan community for multiple generations. It celebrated its 100th birthday in June with special deals and celebrations at all four locations.
“We’re still family-owned and operated with a focus on providing the best customer service around,” said Oleson’s Petoskey Store Manager Scott Schmit. “We like to provide a variety of unique products that you don’t often find in one place.”
That includes fresh produce and meat from local providers, Schmit said. The company raises its own herd at Oleson’s Buffalo Farm, south of Traverse City. That herd is reportedly one of the largest bison herds east of the Mississippi, typically maintaining 250–350 buffalo, according to Oleson’s website. Partnerships with other local farmers and producers helps the grocer’s offerings to stand apart.
Schmit added that Oleson’s relationships with local producers and vendors continues to grow rather than shrink.
“We try to carry as many local products as we can,” Schmit said. “We’re supporting the community, but it is also what our customers like.”
Oleson’s Food Stores was founded by Gerald and Frances Oleson, who opened a small grocery store on Front Street in Traverse City in 1926. Since then, the business expanded while remaining under family ownership. Today it is operated by the third and fourth generations of the Oleson family.
The Petoskey Oleson’s location employs around 50 team members and gears up for the summer tourist season just like any other Northern Michigan business. While there is a steady stream of regular, local customers, the volume that the Petoskey store does in the summer is significant.
“You have tourists and campers and people coming to their (cottages) and visiting family members,” Schmit said. That requires seasonal support from part-time workers. This is the time of the year when we really gear up.”
Oleson’s is evolving in other ways, Schmit said. Ownership is looking into partnering with a delivery service like DoorDash or UberEats, and it promotes its brand liberally on social media, particularly Facebook.
Visit olesonsfoods.com to learn more.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Oleson’s celebrates 100th anniversary
Reporting by M. Alan Scott, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By M. Alan Scott, The Petoskey News-Review | USA TODAY Network
