Robinson’s General Store has been serving the Dorset area for a century, and that called for a celebration, albeit a small one due to the pandemic.
On Saturday, July 11, the store’s new owners, Katie and Mike Hinbest, and staff served up cupcakes to customers beneath festive balloons. Staff members were given “100 years of Robinson’s” sweaters. And they had a surprise in store for the Robinson family.
Mike acknowledged that running a business for 100 years, as four generations of Robinsons have done, as a “pretty amazing feat” before presenting Brad Robinson with a custom painting of the store that includes Brad in his signature red vest.
Robinson’s began as a tiny general store in 1921 and has since expanded into 14,000 square feet of grocery, hardware, homeware, gifts, and apparel.
The store remains an integral part of everyday life for both locals and cottagers.
“A lot of the locals have grown up with this store and it means so much to them,” said Katie. “It’s been so cool to see the comments on the Facebook page from people who visited the store in the ’50s and ’60s and are still coming back now decades later.”
Katie and Mike intend to build upon the store’s long tradition as a mainstay in the community.
Prior to moving to Huntsville two years ago, Katie worked in healthcare and Mike was in the automotive business, but they always wanted to run their own family-oriented shop. “We were looking for something new and wanted a challenge so when we came across the store we fell in love with everything it represents,” said Katie. “We are right on beautiful Lake of Bays. How could I not love going into work every day?”
In addition to the store the couple also bought the marina across from it, with business partners Stephanie and Wes Juszku.
Mike and Katie are the first owners of the general store that haven’t been part of the Robinson family and say the previous owners have been kind and supportive throughout the transition.
“We didn’t want to change the name because it’s an iconic part of this community,” said Katie. “Everyone knows the store as Robinson’s so keeping it was a really nice thing we could do for their family.”
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