THE DICKINSON AREA Chamber of Commerce had a ribbon-cutting ceremony for new member Monette’s Market in Kingsford. From left, in back are chamber ambassadors Joe Bronzyk, Ray King, Cole Grenier, Debbie Crandall, Carmen Frank and Talitha Dalquist; Tara Hughes of Monette’s Market; ambassador Anthony Miller; family members Ranee Monette and Suzanne Harry; ambassadors Aimee Allen and Matt Lutz; and chamber CEO/Executive Director Suzanne Larson. In front are chamber ambassador Joy Waldbillig; and Monette’s Market’s Rosie McKinnon, Nicole McKinnon and Maddie McKinnon. (Submitted photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — Monette’s Market, a locally owned business that continues a family legacy in Kingsford, recently joined the Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce, which hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate.

First established as a grocery store in 1957 by Francis Monette, and purchased by his son, Alan Monette, in 1982, the family tradition lives on through Nicole McKinnon, Alan’s daughter.

After challenges brought on by the pandemic, a changing economy, and the passing of her father led to the closing of the original grocery store, Nicole opened Monette’s Market at 393 Woodward Ave. — just two doors down from the original location.

“To keep Monette’s alive, we purchased the old dry cleaner building two doors down from our grocery store location,” said Nicole McKinnon. “We took our recipes of porketta and Italian sausage and started something new!”

The new Monette’s Market offers a wide variety of fresh, high-quality products, including house-processed meats, fresh bakery items, salads and homemade meals.

Favorites include their signature porketta, Italian sausage, homemade pizza, and take-and-bake casseroles and soups. The market also features Goshen Coffee and Espresso and recently added trendy Acai Bowls and the TikTok-famous Dubai Chocolate Strawberries.

Nicole works side-by-side with butcher Tara Hughes, who has been with Monette’s for 22 years. “We make a great team,” Nicole said. With just the two of them running daily operations, the market is currently hiring as they look to expand their team.

Monette’s Market is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.