BAY COUNTY – Bay County’s fast-food options have expanded following the grand opening of the area’s first-ever Chick-fil-A location earlier this month.
In other local business news, Jack’s Fruit & Meat Market has reopened following a fire that occurred at the Essexville grocery store in December.
Learn more about these stories and other Bay City-area business news with these recent headlines:
Bay County welcomes its first Chick-fil-A restaurant
Bay County residents welcomed the area’s first Chick-fil-A when the restaurant opened its doors at 6 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, at 3540 Wilder Road in Bangor Township.
The new location brings more than 100 jobs to the community and replaces a former Kmart that was demolished last year. Click here to see photos of the new restaurant.
Owner Dylan Seitz, who began his career with the chain as an hourly team member working one day a week, was operating a Chick-fil-A in Chicago when he decided to open a location in the Bay City area. He said he and his wife are proud to expand employment opportunities in the region.
Read the full story here.
Jack’s Fruit & Meat Market announces reopening date for Essexville store after fire
A popular grocery store that closed in late 2025 due to a fire reopened this month, the store’s owners announced on social media.
The Jack’s Fruit & Meat Market at 1511 W. Center Road in Essexville closed after a Dec. 28 fire. After posting frequent updates in recent weeks, owners announced on social media that the store would open on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
“Thank you for all the support,” the owners said in a Facebook post. “We can’t wait to welcome you back.”
The fire that forced Jack’s Fruit & Meat Market in Essexville to temporarily close occurred overnight.
Read the full story here.
Bay City Boat Lines purchased by local entrepreneur Jordan Dice
Bay City Boat Lines has been purchased by the same person who has acquired other area fixtures, such as the Midland Mall, St. Laurent Brothers and the historic State Theatre.
Local entrepreneur Jordan Dice announced Sunday, Jan. 25, that he had acquired Bay City Boat Lines, which had been for sale since September 2025.
“These boats have operated here in Bay City for 28 years, all quite successful years,” Dice said via email. “The former owners kept very good records of each year that I spent considerable time reviewing. This business was profitable year-after-year, is a big icon of the City and really something we are fortunate to have as there’s nothing else quite like it in the Great Lakes Bay Region.”
Read the full story here.
$70M Consumers Energy battery storage project proposed for former coal-fired plant site
The Hampton Township Planning Commission held a public hearing Feb. 12 to review a special use permit request from Consumers Energy for a battery energy storage system on the site of a former coal-fired power plant.
The proposed Weadock Battery Energy Storage System represents a $70 million investment and would occupy approximately 5 acres of the 74-acre parcel that previously housed the Weadock coal-fired generation facility.
The project includes a 45-megawatt battery energy storage facility featuring 36 lithium iron phosphate batteries, along with inverters and a collector substation, that Consumers Energy said would enhance grid reliability.
Read the full story here.
3 takeaways from 26th annual Bay County State of the Community
Local government leaders detailed a range of significant infrastructure investments, economic developments, and community projects taking place across the county at the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce’s 26th annual State of the Community address Tuesday, Feb. 3.
Speakers included Bay County Executive Jim Barcia, Bay City Manager Dana Muscott, Essexville City Manager Craig Goulet and Bangor Township Supervisor Glenn Rowley.
Economic development was a key theme, with several communities reporting successful initiatives.
Read the full story here.
Bay City company partners with nonprofit to fund water wells in Ghana
A Bay City-based beverage company has joined with a community development organization to fund clean water infrastructure in Northern Ghana.
ShineWater announced Feb. 2 its partnership with the Global Alliance for Community Empowerment to support deep water well construction in the region. A portion of proceeds from ShineWater purchases will fund the wells, which are intended to provide safe drinking water to families and communities.
“At ShineWater, hydration is more than what’s in the can—it’s about impact,” said Rod Hildebrant, owner of ShineWater. “This partnership allows us to help fuel healthier communities and brighter futures with one of life’s most essential resources.”
Read the full story here.
You can hear the plants: New sensory experience opens at Bay City’s Tummy Ache Candy Store
A local candy shop has added onto its beloved sugar-filled business.
Tummy Ache Candy Store, 1116 N. Johnson St., has launched a new business within the shop.
Owners Starr and Michael Henning recently added Sound in Silence, a room in the back of the store created to help customers get in tune with their senses through sounds and vibrations.
The Hennings had a soft opening for the addition on Dec. 19 and the grand opening is from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4.
Read the full story here.
Dow to cut 4,500 jobs as company’s focus on AI, automation increases
Thousands of Dow employees are expected to lose their jobs as the Midland-based chemical company looks to further streamline its operations and increase profitability.
The company announced its plans to cut 4,500 jobs in a news release on Thursday, Jan. 29. It’s unclear how the cuts will affect Dow’s Michigan workforce.
The announcement comes as the company looks to increase its focus on the use of artificial intelligence and automation. Additionally, Dow plans to reset its cost structure and contemporize its customer service.
Read the full story here.
You can have ice cream for breakfast at this mid-Michigan ice cream shop
Michigan Cream and Sugar Ice Cream Co. will host its first Ice Cream for Breakfast event from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 7, at its two locations in celebration of National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day.
Shops in both Uptown Bay City, 160 Uptown Drive, and Old Town Saginaw, 122 S. Hamilton St., will open early for the one-day event, offering customers a choice of 24 flavors served in traditional cups or cones.
“This fun and informal holiday is celebrated at ice cream shops nationwide and we’re excited to bring it to the Great Lakes Bay Region community” company general manager Tim Mangan said in a news release.
Read the full story here.
4 spots to celebrate Paczki Day across mid-Michigan
Whether you call it Fat Tuesday, Paczki Day or just an ordinary Tuesday, Feb. 17, is a day to look forward to across mid-Michigan.
That’s because the region has a plethora of spots offering unique spins on the holiday, with numerous flavored doughnuts and baked goods alike.
Among the mid-Michigan businesses and organizations offering something fun for the holiday are Barney’s Bakehouse, St. Julian Winery, Krzysiak’s House Restaurant, and the Flushing Chamber of Commerce.
Read the full story here.