Opened in 1884, Doud’s Market is America’s oldest family-owned grocery store. Andrew Doud, the fourth-generation owner of the market, proudly carries on the family tradition to this day.
Andrew took over Doud’s Market in 2007 and closed the store for an entire winter to do a complete renovation. The result? A truly impressive year-round store that stocks fresh produce, fresh meat, pizza, beer, wine, liquor, and snacks. Plus, there’s a substantial deli and bakery as well as specialty foods catering to Mackinac Island’s international workers. You can even find a favorite Doud’s mug or t-shirt in the quaint market!
Doud Family History on Mackinac Island
Members of the Doud family were among many Irish immigrants who settled on Mackinac Island in the 1800s, around the time of the great potato famine in Ireland. It was two brothers, Patrick and James Doud, who originally opened a store that was then known as Doud Bros.
Andrew has many memories growing up in the family business with his grandfather and father in charge. Andrew would often be found stocking shelves or bagging ice. One of his favorite memories as a child is running into the market and grabbing candy with his buddies when he wasn’t on the clock.
Growing up in a small-town business atmosphere has led Andrew to be an entrepreneur himself. He’s involved in an array of businesses on Mackinac Island including Patrick Doud’s Irish Pub and has a deep love for the history of the small community.
Andrew and his wife, Nicole, have three boys, Louis, Thomas and John. Just like their dad did many years ago, the boys enjoy helping at the store with packaging and recycling cardboard, restocking food and goods, or just running the aisles. Louis and Thomas already have their own timecards to keep track of the hours they have worked. They enjoy saving up money to buy something special for themselves at Great Turtle Toys or The Butterfly House.
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Doud Family Future on Mackinac Island
When they’re not on the clock, the boys love stopping in to grab lunch or a granola bar. The pizza is their favorite! It is amazing to watch the boys learn about their family history, work one-on-one with their father, and get to show them what a hard work ethic entails. You may see the three busy boys in the market this summer working hard or sneaking a snack.
One of the best feelings is watching your children carry on a generational tradition. Not many family businesses have the opportunity to see a fourth-generation business keep growing, and hopefully, continue as a fifth generation in the future.
Doud’s Market is open year-round and located on Main Street in downtown Mackinac Island.
Guest blogger Nicole Doud has lived on Mackinac Island since her first summer in 2006. She is married to Andrew Doud, with three boys. They go back and forth between Petoskey and Mackinac Island.
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