A casual retirement joke between a husband and wife turned into a real bulk food store in just three months. That’s not a typo. The idea went from kitchen-table banter to stocked shelves faster than most people finish a home project.
The shelves now hold flour, cane sugar, real vanilla, chocolate chips, and a long lineup of spices. There’s also Amish-made cheese from Michigan, local honey, and maple syrup. Out back, the same family grows hay and raises Jersey cows and pigs.
I like how this place mixes a baker’s pantry with a working farm. You can grab pancake mix and livestock feed on the same trip. I can’t imagine a more practical errand.
Discover what happens when a farm kid and a devoted home baker build a store together. Pretty much exactly what you’d hope.
The Spice Lineup Deserves Its Own Fan Club
Spices may be small, but they do the heavy lifting in a kitchen. Back to Basics Store stocks numerous spices, and they’re a big part of the store’s appeal.
Why does that matter? Bland chili is a sad chili. A well-stocked spice rack turns plain ingredients into dinners people actually ask for again.
Bulk shopping makes extra sense with spices you use constantly. Think of your weeknight staples, the ones that disappear before you notice. Grabbing them in larger amounts can keep your cooking on track.
The store’s focus on cleaner ingredients carries into this aisle too. That’s helpful if you like knowing what goes into your food. Fewer mystery fillers means more flavor from the spice itself.
A quick tip for spice shoppers: store them in airtight jars away from heat. Keep them out of the cabinet right above your stove. Heat and steam wear down flavor faster than you’d think.
It’s also a fun chance to experiment. Try a seasoning you’ve never used before. Worst case, you learn something. Best case, Tuesday tacos suddenly become the highlight of your week.
New Lothrop Road Is The Pantry Clue
Back to Basics Store is on South New Lothrop Road outside Durand, Michigan. Approach from the Durand area using the local roads toward the store’s rural address.
The store is not part of a downtown grocery strip; its country-road setting makes South New Lothrop Road the important final reference point. Watch for the business at the listed farm-area property.
Call or text the store before setting out, even on a normally open day. Most weekdays are by appointment, and bulk special orders have their own pickup arrangements.
Michigan Amish-Made Cheese Steals The Spotlight
Cheese lovers, take note. The store specializes in Michigan-made products, and Michigan Amish-made cheese is one of the standouts.
Pair that with Michigan-made meat sticks, and you’ve got a road trip snack plan. Or a game night plan. Or a standing in the kitchen at 9 p.m. plan.
Buying products made close to home has real perks. Your money supports nearby makers. You also get to try foods with a local story behind them.
Cheese and meat sticks make an easy charcuterie board base. Add some crackers and dried fruit from the snack shelves. Suddenly you look like you planned a party all week.
Big blocks of cheese are also handy for busy households. Slice what you need and wrap the rest tightly. Shredding your own often tastes fresher than the bagged kind.
This section shows what the owners care about most. They want cleaner food with Michigan roots. That goal feels personal here, not like a slogan on a sign.
So bring a cooler if you’re driving far. Trust me, warm cheese in a hot car is nobody’s idea of a souvenir.
Snack Drawer Emergencies Get Handled Right Here
Chocolate-covered almonds. Need I say more? The snack section at Back to Basics Store goes well beyond the basics.
Nuts come in a variety of options, including Brazil nuts. Dried fruit sits nearby for anyone building a homemade trail mix. Mix and match, and you’ve got a lunchbox upgrade.
Chips and salsa are on the shelves too. So are crackers and pretzels. That covers sweet, salty, crunchy, and dippable in one stop.
Here’s a practical idea for families. Portion bulk snacks into small reusable containers at home. It keeps grab-and-go snacking easy and helps the big bags last longer.
Hikers and road trippers can benefit as well. Nuts and dried fruit pack well and travel without fuss. They’re the kind of fuel that doesn’t melt in your backpack.
Pretzels and crackers also play nicely with that Amish-made cheese. You could build a whole snack board from this one shop. Just maybe hide the chocolate-covered almonds first.
Fair warning, this aisle is dangerous for impulse shoppers. A quick errand can easily turn into a stocked-up movie night. Honestly, that’s not the worst outcome.
Sauces, Syrup, And Jars Worth Clearing Shelf Space For
Local maple syrup and honey are here, and pancake mornings just got sweeter. Grab a pancake mix from the baking shelf, and breakfast basically plans itself.
The sauce collection leans proudly mid-Michigan. You’ll find mid-Michigan made BBQ sauces and Buffalo wing sauces. Grill season fans, this is your aisle.
Cooking sauces cover a lot of dinner ground too. Look for taco, chili, pizza, spaghetti, and pasta sauces. That’s nearly a week of meals right there.
Jars of jam line up for toast lovers. Mustards and horseradish bring a little kick to sandwiches. Pickles round things out for anyone who thinks every plate needs crunch.
Homemade items from local vendors also appear in the store. That’s a nice way to discover makers you might never find otherwise. Each jar carries a little piece of the community.
These products also make thoughtful gifts. A basket with honey, jam, and a BBQ sauce feels personal. It beats another generic candle any day.
Keep a short list of recipes in mind before you shop. Matching sauces to meals helps you avoid a fridge door crammed with half-used bottles.
Bulk Ordering Works Like Clockwork Once You Know The Rhythm
Mark your calendar for the second Wednesday of each month. That’s the deadline for monthly bulk orders at Back to Basics Store, with orders due by 6 p.m.
Many everyday items stay in stock. The monthly order system is for specific products or larger quantities. Think big bags for serious bakers or stock-up shoppers.
Pick-up happens during the third week of the month. The window runs Wednesday through Friday. That gives you a few days of flexibility.
A 50 percent deposit is required for all orders. Plan for that when you budget. It keeps the system running smoothly for the family and for shoppers.
So how do you make this work for you? Keep a running list on your fridge all month. When the deadline nears, your order is already half done.
Set a phone reminder a few days before the cutoff too. Missing the deadline means waiting another month. Your future self, standing over an empty flour bin, will thank you.
This setup rewards planners. Once it clicks, shopping becomes calmer and more predictable. Fewer last-minute runs means more time actually baking.
Farm Folks Can Stock The Barn And The Pantry In One Trip
Here’s a twist most bulk food stores can’t offer. Cori is a dealer for two Michigan-owned livestock feed companies.
Those feeds include non-GMO and organically grown options. That fits the store’s bigger goal of cleaner food. Apparently, that goal applies to chickens and pigs too.
Hay is available as well. You’ll find various sizes, including square and round bales. Small hobby farms and bigger operations can both find a fit.
The family knows this world firsthand. They raise Jersey milk cows and pigs and keep their own hay fields. That’s real experience, not just a product list.
For homesteaders, this setup is a time-saver. You can pick up feed, grab baking supplies, and head home. One stop, two chores crossed off.
Planning ahead helps with farm supplies especially. Feed and hay needs can shift with seasons and herd size. Reach out early when you know a big need is coming.
It’s also a reminder of where food really starts. Healthy animals and good hay lead to good meals. This little Michigan shop connects those dots in a way that feels refreshingly honest.
Plan Your Sunday Drive Before You Hit The Road
Sunday afternoon is your best bet. Back to Basics Store is open Sundays from noon to 4 p.m., and Monday through Saturday visits are by appointment.
You’ll find it at 9580 South New Lothrop Road in Durand, Michigan 48429. It’s a country setting, so enjoy the drive. Rural roads beat parking lot traffic every time.
One important tip comes straight from the store. Call or text ahead, even on regular open days. Farm schedules and family needs can shift hours.
Checking the store’s Facebook page is another smart move. Updates there can save you a wasted trip. Nobody wants to show up for cheese and find a closed door.
Appointments during the week offer real flexibility. They’re handy if Sundays are already packed. Just reach out and set up a time that works.
Bring reusable bags or bins for your haul. Bulk shopping fills them fast. A cooler is smart for cheese and meat sticks too.
This is a place to shop with intention. Plan your list, confirm the hours, and enjoy the slower pace. Good pantries, like good farms, reward a little preparation.