Miller's Country Store - Northwoods Destination
BigMo
Posted 8/20/2006 7:38 PM (#205814)
Subject: Miller's Country Store - Northwoods Destination




Posts: 617


Location: Clintonville, WI
Was in Manitowish Waters this past Thursday through today for the WMT. Lambeau and I met up two days early to prepare for the tourney at a comfortable pace and take a couple hours here and there to relax.

Point being.....Friday a.m. Lambeau and I took a side trip to see Mark Gostisha and his new gig - Miller's Country Store - owned and operated in true family business fashion. What a terrific place!!

Very well done inside, open concept, unique shelving for c-store items, staple goods and some unique stuff available, COLD beer and soda, sit down diner area, GAS PUMP, coffee bar, small amphitheater in back for entertainment, and more. Lambeau and I had our breakfast sandwiches (of course I also had a still warm donut dipped in chocolate as we were waiting) and caught up with Mark. The store is located on Hwy B, 8 miles west of Land-O-Lakes, right on the snowmobile trail for those of us that also enjoy the northwoods in winter. It is the kind of place I'll patronize when in the general area and would hang out at if I were a "local" or spent extended time up there.

No motivation for my post other than I really think it is a great place. I recommend it to all of you.

Keep that steady stream of traffic coming in the store, Mark, and great job thus far.
sworrall
Posted 8/20/2006 8:10 PM (#205817 - in reply to #205814)
Subject: RE: Miller's Country Store - Northwoods Destination





Posts: 32886


Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin
I was there Friday afternoon, running in to Tom Dietz and Joe Bucher inside the store. Great location, and a really nice atmosphere, I'll be back again soon!
Mark Gostisha
Posted 8/26/2006 11:57 PM (#206762 - in reply to #205814)
Subject: RE: Miller's Country Store - Northwoods Destination




Posts: 103


Location: Land O' Lakes WI
Mike.
Thanks for the kind words. It was great to see a couple old freinds from the fishing business. Hours at the store have been brutal with 14 - 16 hours pretty standard. The job description includes stock boy, newspaper boy, dishwasher, haul the trash to the dumpster, occassional cook, wash windows, chase red squirrels from under the deck, help old ladies carry ice to their cars, periodic donut tester and more. My wife's duties are similar! We would not change it for the world. Truth be told, I actually snuck out of the store the day Mike came in and fished,,, and it was the first daytime fishing since we went to Vilas in mid-June.

I am home (Port Washington) tonight. Our home here sold and we are packing for the final move to Vilas County later this week! Email and Internet are non-existent in the store at this time making it nearly impossible to stay in contact with everyone. There are several changes still planned for the store. The name will officially be "The Forest Lake Country Store". We will finalize the kitchen remodeling and a modest menu expansion,, then we will look to get a high speed internet access via satelite.

Not sure if we will have time to use the outside amphi-theater this year but we do have some inside music planned later in September. The old owners, Frisk and Bret Miller will sing in the store on Sept 13 and 20 combined with an all you can eat spaghetti dinner. We hope to plan additional indoor events for the rest of fall.

If you are in the area please stop in and say hi. My memory is feeble so you may need to re-introduce yourself if we met at a show.

Thanks again for the visit by Big Mo and Lambeau, and then Mr. Worrall.

Best to all,

Mark Gostisha




Muskydr
Posted 8/27/2006 7:39 AM (#206769 - in reply to #205814)
Subject: RE: Miller's Country Store - Northwoods Destination




Posts: 686


Location: Tomahawk, Wisconsin
Congrats on the new endeavor Mark, see you in a few weeks, welcome to the northland now you are home and you don't have to go back!!:)
sworrall
Posted 8/28/2006 8:59 AM (#206877 - in reply to #206769)
Subject: RE: Miller's Country Store - Northwoods Destination





Posts: 32886


Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin
I think when we are up for the Outing we will make a trek over for a burger and to drive Mark a bit crazy.