The Old Pioneer Store & Emporium

Big Rapids, United States

4

Open now

5 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 231-796-2502
Website:
www.theoldpioneerstore.com
Address:
118 N Michigan Ave, Big Rapids, MI, 49307
Categories:
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Bussiness info

Take-out
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Accepts Apple Pay
No
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Wi-Fi
No

Today

Today 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Open now
Local time (Big Rapids) 17:35 Sunday, 29 June 2025

Business hours

Monday 9:00 am – 10:00 pm
Tuesday 9:00 am – 10:00 pm
Wednesday 9:00 am – 10:00 pm
Thursday 9:00 am – 10:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am – 10:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sunday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm

Description

Specialties

Our Kilwins Ice Cream Shop features Old Fashioned Ice Cream Treats-​Malts, Shakes and Ice Cream Soda’s. Our Candy Shop makes Kilwins Fudge, Brittle’s, Corns and a host of other confections. You will enjoy over 100 different varieties of Chocolates in our famous chocolate case!

The Old Pioneer Store and Emporium specializes in Michigan made gifts, year around Christmas and thousands of award winning gifts that you will be proud to give. We also feature a large selection of unique home décor ideas for your business or home. We gift wrap free and also have gift certificates. Our gift baskets are one of a kind and appeal to all types of personalities.

History

Established in 1972.

Located in what was once the Pioneer Newspaper this historic location now is the site of an 1800’s ice cream parlor complete with Vintage apothecary shelves that were salvaged form a local drug store operating in the 1800’s and our soda fountain with marble serving counter and porcelain base wooden stools that feature a 10 f-​ft brass foot rail amaze our travelers. We were picked as MI LiVE’s top 29 ice cream parlors in Michigan and Mecosta County’s best place for Sweets and treats.

The Old Pioneer Store also located in this location expands into yet another building that is one of the oldest buildings in downtown and makes for a unique shopping experience as many of the displays are unique antiques such as old broom makers and vintage jewelry cases.

Meet the Business Owner

Carlleen Rose T.

Business Owner

It has always been a dream of mine to own this business. I enjoy meeting people and working with my employees. Being a business that creates wonderful childhood memories and brings back memories of times long past with our 1800’s ice cream soda fountain is an every day pleasure I get to enjoy. Giving back to my community and helping the less fortunate is also a store culture that has been cultivated for the 35 years I have been at this location. In our gift shop we feature made in Michigan and made in the USA. We believe in supporting the hard working American.

Nearby

Near this location:
10
ft
Martz & Shapley Pharmacy
120 N Michigan Ave
10
ft
Optometric Associates Of Big Rapids
120 N Michigan Ave
20
ft
Chemical Bank
125 N Michigan Ave
60
ft
Travel with Ease Agency
106 N Michigan Ave
60
ft
Artworks
106 N Michigan Ave
60
ft
Natural Beauty Salon & Day Spa
106 N Michigan Ave

5 reviews of The Old Pioneer Store & Emporium

No registration required
Place rating: 1
Grand Rapids, MI
I called months before my daughters 4th birthday and and asked, «if I needed to pre order cake batter ice cream so, I could have it for her birthday party. I was told no, it’s always in stock». Four days before the party I called and they said «cake batter won’t be in till after Sunday». So, my kid won’t have her favorite ice cream on her birthday, this is a big deal for a four year old. I called the river town mall location and was told if I want cake batter I need to go to holland, I am very let down by this.
Place rating: 5
Kalamazoo Township, MI
Such a cute place. We always eat at one of the yummy places across the street and then head over for fudge or ice cream. The staff are always super friendly and patient as we take forever to pick out something new we want. My daughter always asks to go when we come up to visit the cabin and head into «town». Oh… lots of sugar free stuff for grandpa too.
Place rating: 4
Niles, MI
We have a Kilwin’s near my hometown, so I’ve been to Kilwin’s before. I just had to write a review as the store is very cute. Larger than you expect with candles & décor items in the back for purchase. The staff is what blew me away. The two girls working were extremely friendly, but not in that fake «this is my job, so I’ll pretend to like you» type of way. Would definitely go back for one of the giant cookies they had for sale by «The Muffin Mom». Yum!
Place rating: 5
Fairfax, VA
What a neat little place — although, it’s actually quite big on the inside. I would have loved to try the ice cream had it not been snowing outside. Very friendly staff. Would love to come visit in the summer time!
Place rating: 5
Dukedom, TN
If you are a stranger to Big Rapids Michigan and don’t want to be… visit the Old Pioneer and Emporium… the owners Carleen and Brian Rose never meet a stranger… and are quite willing to give you history… inform you on sites to see… other businesses to visit and share their knowledge of living in this university town… home of Ferris State… all of their lives.
My grand daughter and I stopped in for a quick ice cream and spent more than an hour «chatting»…my sweet little princess was treated by Carleen to her favorite chocolate ice cream… while I had to have a waffle cone filled with Pecan Praline and Butter Pecan… so good!
Wandering through the store… the smells of fragrant candles and Christmas year round… brings you back to a time of nostalgia that not so long ago you would be expecting a wood or coal stove burning in the back… crystal glistened… greeting cards… more than I can relay… My princess walked out with an old fashioned lollipop…
They are a Kilwin’s Chocolate store also… and the smell when Brian is making a fresh batch of fudge in the front window is delightful… I can’t wait to visit again… mean time… I can order on line: