Bridgewater Country Market adds to rural landscape

The antique cash register was part of the deal when the White family bought the Bridgewater Country Market. Pictured from left: Abbott, Michelle, and Jeremy.

by Marsha Chartrand

Monday, March 18, was the culmination of a 10-year dream for Michelle White and her family.

She and her husband, Jeremy, along with their family of four children, have wanted to buy the little store at the corner of Austin and Boettner Roads in “downtown” Bridgewater since shortly after moving to their small farm in Bridgewater Township.

They missed an opportunity to buy the store in 2020, when it sold quickly. But they kept their ears to the ground, and when the property recently was listed again, they didn’t waste any time. They were determined to grab their dream!

“We wanted to do the small convenience store, but expand on it and provide more services for the community,” Michelle explained. “When we moved into our farmhouse it wasn’t really livable and we’d been working on it all day and we thought we’d go get a pizza at the Bank.

“Well, we found out they had great sandwiches at the Bank, but not pizzas! We knew then that was a need in the community!”

So they put that on their list. As they are opening, they are selling just traditional convenience store foods and beverages; but they will soon offer deli sandwiches and as soon as they can get a small commercial kitchen built and licensed they will offer take-out pizza for the Bridgewater community!

The clean and bright interior will be a reflection of the updated exterior as the weather improves and the friendly family–style service is a welcome addition to the neighborhood.

Realizing that they are basically a “pass through” for people commuting down Austin Road, the Whites would like their store to become more of a destination, especially as good weather approaches. They have plans for a patio to make the front of the building more appealing. Changing their store name to “Bridgewater Country Market” will give it a new vibe and bringing in new merchandise, like cheeses and other popular foods, will make it a place you’d like to stop and shop and visit.

The Bridgewater Country Market is currently open Monday through Saturday from 7:30am to 6:30pm.

Stop by and get a smile from their youngest, Abbott — she will charm you!

The new Bridgewater Country Market opened on March 18.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.