It was an afternoon when Eric and I were driving back from Bitely Tavern that we stumbled upon Diamond Lake Store originally known as D&D's by Dick and Delores Thompke. Prior to that, Loves Resort sat on the corner of Foss and Mundy in the 1930’s. As we passed by, a "For Sale" sign caught our eye and we were immediately drawn to the little gas station and garage. From the outside, I could already see the potential but stepping inside was another story—it was in rough shape. I wasn’t sure at first, but after a thorough inspection, we realized what a hidden gem it was. The steel roof, cement floors and pole barn construction meant the foundation was strong, and the possibilities were endless.

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We started small, with a full store and just four booths, but the business evolved quickly. It didn’t take long to figure out what people really wanted—pizza and beer, especially with all the campers around. Little by little, we expanded, adding groceries at first, though we later learned people cared more about the pizza. Over time, we also built a name for ourselves with our bourbon and whiskey selection, much of which is local and Michigan-made.

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I love coming up with new ideas to keep things fresh, while Eric enjoys sharing our story with customers, making sure they feel at home. The decor reflects who we are—our faith, our love for America, and our deep respect for law enforcement and the military. Both of our fathers served, so that’s something close to our hearts. And of course, we’re committed to supporting local businesses, with about 85% of what we sell being Michigan-made.

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We bought the property on March 26, 2021, and spent months renovating it, finally opening our doors on November 17. The gas tanks were already here, but getting them operational took over a year. Naming the pizzas became a fun project, with input from our staff and customers. Every name has a story behind it, just like our journey. It wasn’t easy starting from scratch, but seeing how much the community has embraced us makes it all worth it.

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