This Massive Michigan Country Market Is Like Costco For Farm-Fresh Food And Local Finds

Flour comes in bags up to 50 pounds at this country market. That’s not a typo, and it’s not just plain white flour either. Organic, gluten-free, and big-name brands all sit on the shelves together.

The building covers 50,000 square feet in Michigan’s Thumb. It holds a bulk food store, a bakery, and a full-service restaurant under one roof. Fresh donuts come out of that bakery every single day.

I like how the whole thing started in a machine shed on a family dairy farm. Now it pulls shoppers from miles around for cheese, candy, spices, and house-made sausages. I can’t imagine leaving with just one bag.

So how does a farm shed turn into a Michigan shopping destination? And how much cooler space should you clear out before the drive?

A Dairy Farm Machine Shed Grew Into A Shopping Giant

Back in 1992, Country View Bulk Foods opened in a machine shed behind the owners’ farmhouse. That first building measured just 80 by 40 feet.

The Martin family ran it together. Clarence Martin worked alongside his son Marvin and his daughters Faith, Charity, and Sara.

They started small, with bulk foods, meats, and cheeses. Shoppers kept asking for more, so the family kept adding produce, baked goods, and extra grocery lines.

By 2010, the farm shed simply couldn’t keep up. The business moved to a much bigger 100-by-200-foot building on Germania Road.

Today the whole operation spans 50,000 square feet. That space holds the bulk store, a bakery, and a full-service restaurant. Not bad for a place that once shared a yard with dairy cows.

In April 2024, the founding family decided to retire. They sold the business to Argonne Capital, a private equity firm based in Atlanta.

The store still describes itself as having a friendly, back home feel. It’s also known as a Mennonite-run spot, and that heritage shows up across the shelves. Think homestyle jams, canning supplies, and cookbooks that feel straight out of a farm kitchen.

Your Pantry Is About To Get Very Serious

Fifty pounds of flour sounds wild until you start baking for the holidays. Then it starts sounding smart.

Bulk staples are the beating heart of this store. You’ll find grains, herbs, spices, brown sugar, oatmeal, beans, and popcorn. Some items come in quantities up to 50 pounds.

The flour lineup deserves its own shout. Organic and gluten-free options share space with Gold Medal, Wheat Montana, and King Arthur. That’s great news for anyone baking around food allergies.

Smaller packages are on hand too. So you don’t need a storage barn to shop here, though it might help.

Spices are a big draw, and the selection runs deep. If a recipe calls for something obscure, this is a good place to look first.

The shelves also hold unique dried fruits and vegetable chips. Those make easy snacks for the ride home, assuming they survive that long.

Bakers should check the pie and cake fillings sold in tubes. You’ll also spot flavorings and oils for baking and candy making. More than 100 varieties of loose-leaf and Bigelow teas round things out.

Bring a list, then expect to ignore it.

Good Luck Walking Past The Donut Case

Donuts are made fresh every day in the on-site bakery. That fact alone could justify the trip.

The bread selection stretches from classic white loaves to tomato basil French bread. Everything is homemade, which makes sandwich night feel a lot fancier.

Then come the pies. House-made pies and fry pies line up next to cheesecakes, and some of those cheesecakes are seasonal. Others can be made by request, so plan ahead for birthdays.

Store-made cinnamon rolls and sticky pecan rolls are popular picks. One warm roll with coffee makes a pretty convincing argument for shopping slowly.

Hosting a party? The bakery can put together cookie trays, platters, or dinner rolls. That’s one less thing to stress about before guests show up.

Home bakers get a shortcut too. House-made frozen pie crusts are sold here, which saves time without losing that homemade touch.

Here’s a fun Michigan tradition to circle on the calendar. Fresh paczkis are made on Fat Tuesday and the Monday before it. These filled treats are a big deal in the state every winter.

Getting them from a country bakery feels extra special.

Butter Cheese Might Become Your New Obsession

Soft, mild, and buttery in taste, the butter cheese at the deli lives up to its name. It’s the kind of cheese that quietly disappears from the fridge.

The deli carries a wide range of meats and cheeses beyond that star. Cheese is one of the things this store is best known for, so give yourself time to browse.

The fresh meat counter is equally serious. It offers USDA-inspected Premium Angus Beef, both grain-fed and grass-fed. Chicken is all-natural and hormone-free, sold in various cuts.

House-made sausages, brats, and chorizo add some flavor to the lineup. Grilling season suddenly looks a lot more exciting.

Feeding a crowd or filling a chest freezer? Family packs and case pricing are available. That’s where the Costco comparison really starts to make sense.

Home meat curing fans can grab Hi Mountain products here too. Making your own jerky becomes much easier with the right seasonings on hand.

A smart tip for this section: pack a cooler. Country View Bulk Foods sits a good drive from many Michigan cities. Keeping meat and cheese cold on the way home protects your haul.

Lunch Comes With A Side Of Shopping Fuel

Shopping 50,000 square feet works up an appetite. Luckily, there’s a full-service restaurant right inside the building.

The cafe serves fresh-made sandwiches, subs, and soups. The Reuben is a known favorite, so it’s a solid choice for first-timers.

Coffee lovers get some fun options as well. Gourmet flavors include Snickerdoodle and Michigan Cherry. That cherry choice feels like a tiny tribute to the state.

Eating here first is a clever strategy. Hungry shoppers tend to grab every snack in sight, and this store has a lot of snacks.

The hot case is another stop worth checking. It’s handy for picking up something ready-made for dinner after a long day of browsing.

Plan around the hours, though. The store opens at 9 a.m. Monday through Saturday.

It closes at 6 p.m. on weekdays and 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Sunday is a day off, so don’t make the drive then. A weekday lunch visit gives you a full afternoon to explore. Grab a sandwich, sip that coffee, and then tackle the aisles with fresh energy and a clear head.

Sweet Tooth Alert In The Candy Aisle

Milk chocolate double-dipped peanuts. Yes, double-dipped, because once clearly wasn’t enough.

The premium bulk candy section is a happy place for snack lovers. You’ll also find sugar-free nut clusters for anyone watching their sugar.

Candy here comes in plenty of styles and flavors. It’s the kind of aisle where a quick look turns into a full basket.

Making your own treats? The store sells candy and chocolate-making supplies. Holiday fudge and homemade chocolates get a lot easier with everything in one spot.

Remember those baking flavorings and oils mentioned earlier? They work for candy making too. Peppermint bark season will thank you.

Familiar brands pop up around the store as well. Better Made chips, a classic Michigan snack, sit among names like Walnut Creek and Watkins.

The best part is mixing bulk treats with name brands you already know. You get the fun of discovery plus your old favorites.

A friendly warning seems fair here. Kids and candy aisles are a powerful combo. Setting a candy budget before you go in might save some debate at the checkout, or at least shorten it.

Thumb-Made Goodies Deserve A Spot In Your Cart

Local pure raw honey and honeycomb are sold right on the shelves. Honeycomb on warm toast is a simple luxury everyone should try.

Maple syrup made in Michigan’s Thumb is here too. That means your pancakes can stay local from top to bottom.

Yoder’s Homestyle Jellies and Jams bring a farm-kitchen feel to breakfast. Pair them with homemade bread from the bakery for an easy win.

The freezer holds fruit from Natures Blessed, a Michigan-based company. Most of their fruit comes from Michigan, so smoothies and pies get a hometown boost.

Fresh produce is a big part of the store, including locally sourced fruits and vegetables. What’s available depends on the season, so each visit can look different.

Book lovers might spot some locally written cookbooks. They make thoughtful gifts and give a peek into regional home cooking.

Bath and body products made with local beef tallow are also on hand. It’s an old-fashioned idea that’s getting new attention.

Shopping local feels good, and it tastes good too. These finds make great souvenirs for friends who couldn’t come along on the trip.

Canning Jars, Garden Mulch, And Dog Food Too

Groceries are only half the story. The other half could stock your kitchen, garden, and pet bowl.

The homeware section carries Norpro kitchenware and plenty of canning gadgets. Jars plus bulk rings and lids make preserving season much smoother.

Knife fans can browse the RADA Knife collection. Decor shoppers will find wall-hanging signs, including the Peter Graham Dunn brand.

Cookbooks, Bibles, Bible cases, and hymn books sit nearby. Health and wellness products round out the mix.

Spring brings garden plants and flowers to the store. Hanging baskets, porch plants, and vegetable seeds help kick off growing season.

Soil options include potting, top, peat, and compost. Mulch comes in red, brown, black, cypress, cedar, and hardwood, so picky gardeners have choices.

Fall swaps in hardy mums for that classic autumn porch look. Timing your visit to the season pays off here.

Pets aren’t left out. Pride dog food, some cat food and litter, affordable animal treats, and bird seed are all available. Honestly, you could run most of your household errands in one stop and still have time for a donut.

Bargain Hunters Should Check The Specials Every Visit

Overstock from big-name brands sometimes lands here at low margins. That’s how the store keeps rolling out special deal buys.

Country View Bulk Foods works with food brokers to pick up these items. The lineup changes often, so no two trips look quite the same.

That’s the treasure-hunt side of shopping here. Spotting a surprise deal feels a little like winning a prize.

Getting there is easy. You’ll find the store at 177 N. Germania Rd, Snover, MI 48472.

It sits just off M-46 in Michigan’s Thumb.

The drive takes you through quiet farm country. It’s a nice break from busy highways and crowded parking lots.

Want to make a day of it? The Croswell Swinging Bridge is nearby. It’s Michigan’s longest suspension footbridge, and walking across it is a fun little thrill.

Outback Meat Processing is another local stop, known for fresh sweet corn. Pairing these stops makes for a full country road trip.

Pack that cooler, bring a list, and leave room in the trunk. The specials won’t wait, and the trunk fills up faster than you’d ever expect.