The grand opening of Borchardts Market today in Onsted, Michigan brought together county and state representatives, local business people and community members. Borchardts Market purchased the defunct and vacant Interlakes Grocery, which closed it’s doors in 2013. They have been in business since 1992 and currently have two other grocery stores in operation in Blissfield and Morenci, Michigan.
The 24 year old building was in good condition and only required minor cosmetic improvements, such as fresh paint and replacing of some dropped ceiling tiles. The parking lot was in need of minor patching, and then a seal coating followed with a repainting of the parking lot stripes.
The project total cost is projected at $770,000. Blissfield State Bank and private equity provided $570,000, while a GAAR Revolving loan fund totaling $200,000 was provided through Lenawee Now. This project will create four new full time jobs and several new part time jobs.
Borchardts Market is the only grocery store within 10 miles of Onsted and is also in very close proximity to Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. The market will also benefit from being in the Irish Hills area, close to several large lakes.
Bringing Experience to the Area
Bill Borchardt started in the grocery business at an IGA Store in Brooklyn, Michigan when he was 12 years old. He worked after school and summers until starting college in the fall of 1973. Bill was both a full-time student and full-time employee. While studying to become a Mechanical Engineer, Bill decided he would rather be working than going to college. He quit college after four semesters to work in the store and was promoted to Store Manager in 1977 at the age of 21.
From 1977 until 1991, Bill handled all aspects of the store for the owners, running the store, paying the bills, bidding the insurance hiring/firing, etc., all the while hoping to own his own store someday. In July 1992, Bill and his brother bought the Tibbs IGA in Blissfield, Michigan. They chose Spartan Stores, Inc. as their supplier and are still partners with them today. The brothers bought the Walco IGA in Napoleon, Michigan in 1995 and in 2005 they bought another store in Morenci, Michigan.
Bill’s wife Beth, a Central Michigan University graduate, handles all of the company’s financial duties. Bill’s son Andrew and nephew Robert will be working with him as well. Both have grown up in the grocery store business.
