The Foxmart general store in Akeley has been serving the Pine Grove community for over a century.

It was first opened in 1886 by W.B Hale, who passed it to his son Lester in 1919, who in turn passed it to Billy Hale in 1958.

On July 13, 1899, a newspaper reported, “W.B. Hale, our popular merchant, is doing a rushing business. His goods are high up on the shelf, but low down on the price. He is known around here as a public benefactor, because of his many charitable acts.”

The Arnold family took over in 1993, and sold it to Steve and Lori Fox in 2001, who run the store today.

The store has been open continuously, except for a couple of months when it was closed for remodeling, Steve Fox said.

Until 1963, the Akeley Post Office was also located in the store, according to ‘A History of Pine Grove Township.’

Fox said the store got the name, “Akeley Mall,” when the Warren Mall opened and some kids jokingly drew a sign for the store.

“Since I’ve been here, a lot of interesting things happened, like (the day) Bucky Phillips (was arrested),” he said. “We made international news for selling 150 pizzas, when in reality, we sold 10.” He said he was interviewed that day by Channel 35 and UPI radio. “It was really funny, it wasn’t a record day for the store but the next day was.”

Fox said they have changed things a bit over the last 15 years, like removing the hardware section and replacing it with a dining area. “We still have some hardware,” he said.

“We’ve added some newer coolers, an ATM and a coffee and cappuccino bar.” They have also increased their menu, adding pizza, subs and deep fried foods. “We just added deep fried chicken planks, chicken finger subs, and French and curly fries.

He said his employee George Gifford likes to say they carry “everything from nuts and bolts to custom cut ribeyes.”

They hand-cut steaks to whatever a customer wants. He said he will hold a knife over the meat until the customer is happy with the thickness, then cut it fresh for them.

There is a deli in the meat department, hand-scooped Perry’s ice cream up front as well as cartons of ice cream in the frozen section.

“Our soups are all made from scratch,” he said.

His competitors are interested in his recipes, especially the chicken wing pizza sauce, he says.

Fox said, “We make our employees sign confidentiality agreements for our recipes.”

No one product is a specialty, he said. It all comes together as a general store should, with a selection of dry and canned goods and plenty of gifts.

They also cater for fundraisers, like sub sales. “Our largest was 450 subs. I was a little nervous that day,” he said.

The store has been a first job for many over the last 130 years, Fox said. “I wouldn’t even guess how many people worked here. We’ve had at least 35 in 15 years.”

On June 25, they will hold a “cruise-in,” from 1 p.m. until people leave. “Show off your ride,” he said.

And while there won’t be prizes for cars and trucks, they have been giving away prizes during the week leading up to it.

The prizes come from both store suppliers and the store itself.

Store hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday.