Mount Pleasant Mission Street liquor store open for business

Since the Mission Store opened on Aug. 9, business has been good.

“It’s more than what (was) expected, but I’m not complaining,” said owner Fouad Senni.

In addition to liquor and beer, the store, 1022 S. Mission St. also contains a fully stocked wine cellar. The local business also sells gift baskets, European imported items, cookies, crackers, pesto and other various foods, many of which are Michigan-made.

Store manager Katie Howland talks candidly of the store’s appeal over others in Mount Pleasant.

“We wanted something different to add to the community,” she said. “We wanted it to be more than just your average liquor store.”

Senni said they decided to carry food items to appeal to the entire community of Mount Pleasant, not just the students at Central Michigan University.

“We want to do business 12 months out of the year, not just eight when students are here,” he said.

So far, Senni said a wide variety of students and community members are coming.

Home Depot employee Travis Jackson first heard about The Mission Store from one of its cashiers during construction, when Home Depot sold the materials for construction to Senni.

“I live on Main so its the closest place that sells beer and liquor,” the Richmond senior said. “We came in opening day and we liked it, so we kept coming back.”

Wine tasting event

The Mission Store is looking forward to another way to kick off their opening.

A wine tasting event, scheduled for Oct. 8 at Centennial Hall, 306 W. Michigan St., is planned as a way for the store to expand its appeal to the Mount Pleasant community.

Howland said the event will feature between 20 and 30 wines for attendants to sample, as well as hors d’oeuvres, vegetarian dishes and a chocolate fountain. Tickets are $30, or $25 with a student ID.