PHOTOS: Iconic beachside store reopens

The newly rebuilt Ottawa Beach General Store has re-opened for the summer.

For decades the seasonal store has been a destination for ice cream cones, candy, and nostalgia.

"I'm so grateful our doors will be open again for customers," says longtime store operator Linda Dykert. "I think they'll be surprised by how the store looks and feels – the same as it always has.”


Courtesy First Companies The new 2,400-square-foot building resembles the original in almost every way – including the same color, roofline, and front porch.

Courtesy First Companies Whether it’s an ice cream sundae, a cold drink, a delicious snack on the way to the beach, a souvenir sweatshirt or T-shirt, or last-minute camping supplies, the Ottawa Beach General Store has something for everyone.

Courtesy First Companies Located at 2256 Ottawa Beach Road, the Ottawa Beach General Store has a rich history.

The original structure was built in the 1930s and was taken down in September 2023 after reaching the end of its useful life. Construction remained on schedule over the winter and spring, and it reopened just in time for the summer season that runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Old look, but updated structure

When owners Cheri DeVos Ehmann and Steve Ehmann last year announced their plans to rebuild, they said they were determined to keep the vintage look.  

The new 2,400-square-foot building resembles the original in almost every way – including the same color, roofline, and front porch. It still has its iconic red, white, and blue signs along with its antique counter. 

Courtesy First Companies New ice cream and coffee equipment are among the many improvements at the Ottawa Beach General Store.
Courtesy First Companies The original structure was built in the 1930s and was taken down in September 2023 after reaching
Courtesy First Companies Whether it’s an ice cream sundae, a cold drink, a delicious snack on the way to the beach, a souvenir sweatshirt or T-shirt, or last-minute camping supplies, the Ottawa Beach General Store has something for everyone.
But the new structure meets modern construction codes and business needs, including a 10-foot extension near the window where ice cream is served, new ice cream and coffee equipment, air conditioning, a walk-in freezer, and additional basement space that provides more storage.

Courtesy First Companies No more sloping floors at the Ottawa Beach General Store — a new structure keeps the original's charm but with some improvements.

Located at 2256 Ottawa Beach Road, the store has a rich history. Whether it’s an ice cream sundae, a cold drink, a delicious snack on the way to the beach, a souvenir sweatshirt or T-shirt, or last-minute camping supplies, the Ottawa Beach General Store has something for everyone.

“The Ottawa Beach General Store has been a mainstay for decades, and I’m so thankful that building ownership put the work in to keep the tradition alive,” says Dykert. “I’m looking forward to seeing the front porch full of smiling faces again this summer.”