Bear Store

Idk what Danielle Simpson is talking about but this place is amazing for the little towns and locations around. They rescued a few animals and a great spot to rest for hunters, great food, big ice cream, and great for the community to have a place around. Don’t let the sensitive pink haired girls tell ya different. I’m glad to have a place around such as the bear store

My family and I come here each time we come to visit Grandma and Grandpa. The animals are cute--our favorite are the bunnies. They give out huge scoops of ice cream; the kiddie scoop is enough for even my teen. The store has a good variety of things, from drinks and snacks to nicnacs and moccasins. We 5 of us have even stayed in the motel! It's an old-school roadside motel, so don't expect any bells and whistles. Clean, quaint and super affordable, it's perfect for an overnighter or hunting excursions. Heater works well, has a small shower in the tiny bathroom and beds are clean and comfy. I'm giving it 5 stars because it's great for what it is. They aren't trying to be something they can't be. It's affordable, the employees are totally kind and it's a unique roadside attraction of days-gone-by. Stop by if you get the chance.

The Bear Store profits from calling itself a “sanctuary” while publicly demonstrating inhumanity towards the poor animals who are captive there. It’s immensely sad that the officials in the city of Hale, Iosco County, and the state of Michigan allow this business to keep wild animals in enclosures smaller than an apartment. We must DEMAND larger homes for these animals!

Awesome little store - everything you need in one spot! A real bear! And other animals, its like a mini zoo. Great little ice cream shop. Fun stop for the kids. Billboard with all the surrounding lakes on it. Picnic tables too.

I’ve been at or past this business multiple times the past two weekends. Sophie the Syrian brown bear was laying in the same spot every time I saw her. I can imagine she is depressed and lonely. I am saddened by her enclosure and diet and lack of socialization with her own kind. The weeds in her enclosure were upright, indicating to me she doesn’t actually walk around. I am disgusted this business capitalizes off from a caged bear. I’ve heard there have been protests, and after seeing this it’s no wonder. I wish the owners would actually care about her well-being and find her a better home where she can socialize and have a normal life.

The bear store has rescued animals, including the big beautiful Sophie. The bear. Has ice cream and a lovely gift shop with lots of fun things! You can feed the bear if you talk to the cashier.Service: 5/5

I loved everything about this place. And for $47 how could anybody complain! All animals are completely cared for and checked by the DNR routinely. I have absolutely no issues with this place!

Totally inhumane and unacceptable conditions for the animals, particularly the bear which essentially lives in a jail cell. Very sad.

We stopped here for some ice while passing through. We had no idea at the time of stopping it was ‘home’ to so many ‘rescues’. It was not until glancing at the small cages on the property that we realized there was actually a full sized female bear, along with three foxes there. The cages for the foxes, I kid you not, are about the size of the cages at dog shelters. That’s it. The cage for the bear is a joke. It is minuscule compared to what it should be for an actual bear, or pretty much any animal. Think about how far a bear travels in the wild. The HORSES had more room. The bear was anxiously pacing around its small enclosure. Over and over and over. Circle after circle. That is what it does all day. The foxes were doing the same thing. All of the animals exhibited very obvious signs of anxiety and depression, probably linked to their housing situation. On top of that, it is stated that bear eats a plethora of junk food, along with a steady diet of.. dog food?? An apex predator should not survive on that diet. Please, do not support this glorified petting zoo. Think about the lives of the animals.

If these animals are rescued...what does captured look like? I understand people love ice cream, and a convenient store in a small town but at what cost? Im sorry but this place does not have the funds, heart, or knowledge to take care of these animals properly. These animals are a roadside tourist attraction to sell ice cream and tshirts. The animals are clearly distressed and have no quality of life I wish 0 stars was an option.