Midtown Bait & Tackle

05/01/2026

After leaving this page open even though we closed the shop several years ago, we feel it’s time to close it. We thank the many friends and customers we came to know through the years, and wish all of you the very best for the future! We’ll leave this open for a couple of days, and then delete the page. Love you all!
Edit: someone asked for wall pictures, so I added what I had. We appreciate the wonderful sentiments you’ve shared here. We miss you all…we’re doing well down here in Kansas, the land of crazy winds! Come and visit us if you’re passing through!

06/02/2023

Yep, the rumor is true! We have sold the shop to a wonderful young couple named Sam and Rachel Scharphorst! We’ll let them fill you in on their plans as they go, but we’re pretty sure they plan to continue with the ice cream and baking. They are working on a website, and they’re just full of great ideas! Their prior obligations for this summer may have them waiting until fall to begin to put their spin on things in Channing, but when they get here, please welcome and support them as you have us for all these years. We (and they) will fill you in on more info as it becomes available.
It has been such a pleasure to have met and built the many relationships over the time we’ve owned the shop, and we pray it will be just as great an experience for Sam and Rachel! The countless memories you’ve left us with could fill a book, and we’ll cherish them always. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

05/31/2023

2023 info

05/26/2023

05/02/2023

Hi everyone! Due to the little Snowmageddon you all planned to welcome me back, I’m a bit later getting to the shop this week than I had planned…BUT, I will be here this afternoon, Thursday morning, and most of Friday. I am happy to tell you that there are some definite developments as to shop ownership happening, but I’m not at liberty to say anything, so don’t try to torture it out of me! Anyway, that’s why I haven’t said anything about liquidating, because we don’t know yet that we will be doing so! You all will be amongst the very first to hear anything as soon as there’s something to tell!
Meanwhile, stop in to say hi if you get a chance!

03/28/2023

After much thought and prayer, we are sad to announce that we have decided it will not be financially feasible for us to open the shop this season, and we will remain closed permanently. Many factors went into this decision, not the least being the rising costs of ingredients and products, and also the logistics of having sold our residence in Michigan and working on our home in Kansas. The shop is still for sale, but with no potential buyer in sight, we will be liquidating as much of our inventory as possible, and will continue to try to sell the building and property. We make this announcement with heavy hearts, as being the owners of Midtown Bait and Tackle, and serving all of you wonderful people through the years has been an utter delight, and we will miss you all so very much. We also want to thank all of the workers we’ve had through the years…you guys made it so much fun!
We will be honoring any event commitments made, and CJ will be in the shop May 2-5 on and off, so stop by if you need that one last t-shirt or lure!
Please know that we love all of you…customers, friends, and family, and we’ll be back from time to time to visit, and maybe finally get some fishing in, since we never could when we had the shop! Thanks for 13 wonderful years! ❤️

02/16/2023

So, for those of our customers who get a little confused as to how to pronounce Mackinac, as this explains, it’s always with the “aw” sound on the end, no matter the spelling. I found this interesting, thought I’d share it.

The French pronounced it “aw” but spelled it “ac”. The British heard it pronounced “aw” so they spelled it that way. Whichever way you see it spelled, technically it should always be pronounced “aw”. The word Mackinac/Mackinaw comes from from the original Anishinaabe word mishinii-makinaang (Place of gathering turtles), which over many centuries was turned to Mishimikinaak (Big Turtle) in reference to the island in the straits.

02/10/2023

The owner of the stray car is having it moved…it was a breakdown. Thanks everybody for all the help and concern!

02/10/2023

If whoever is parked in our parking lot, or knows who this is… Could you please move it, or tell whoever owns it to move it. It’s causing problems for the post office and the snow plow. Thanks.

01/06/2023

Thank you for all of the birthday wishes. Amazing!!

01/01/2023

Just a reminder, Midtown Bait Shop is now closed for the season…we will keep everyone posted as to whether we sell the business or will reopen in the spring. Try “R” Cabins a couple miles north on M-95 for your bait needs. Thanks for a wonderful 2022! Bob and CJ