Fifth Mike’s Country Store opens in Colquitt

ALBANY — Mike’s Country Store has opened a fifth retail location, this one in Miller County. The rapidly expanding grocery store chain has set up shop in the old location of Wilkins IGA Foodliner and Bakery, 212 Main St. in Colquitt.

“We are very honored to build on the heritage of Wilkins IGA Foodliner and Bakery, which is a well known and much loved Colquitt landmark” said Mike Rogers, owner of Mike’s Country Store. “We’ll maintain that tradition as we take our customers’ shopping experience to the next level with our own much sought-after specialties and brands that make Mike’s Country Store so unique.”

Rogers, whose tag line is “It’s all about the meat,” grew up in the grocery business.

“I began wrapping meat with my dad when I was eight,” said Rogers. “He was a store supervisor for Rubo’s.”

Rogers’ mother also for worked for Rubo’s as a produce manager.

Following in the family tradition, Rogers began working for Harvey’s at age 19 and then, at 24, opened his first Mike’s Country Store on Philema Road north of Albany in Lee County.

Since that time, Mike has opened four more stores with locations on U.S. Highway 19 in Putney, at the State Farmers Market in Moultrie, on Gillionville Road in Albany and, now, in Colquitt.

After 24 years in the business, Rogers says he believes there is a reason why folks drive miles out of their way to shop at Mike’s — his strong commitment to top quality fresh meat and produce, along with friendly customer service.

“We’re a totally different style of business than they try to run,” said Rogers. “What you’re seeing is a turn back toward smaller stores that are big on personal service. That’s why we have been so successful; we cater to the people. That’s what we’re all about.”

With major food retailers flooding the Southwest Georgia market, for Rogers, customer service is more important than ever.

“We make sure that our customers are always our No. 1 priority,” Rogers said. “We treat our customers like family. If you treat people right, they will stay with you.”

According to Rogers, each Mike’s store features the Prestige Case, where shoppers can find specialty products such as custom-cut meats, including steaks, ribs, chicken and chops, along with homemade smoked sausage, bacon, beef jerky and bologna. Other family favorites include premium hot dogs made from Boston butts.

“Anytime we can, we buy local,” said Rogers.

Rogers says he takes a great deal of pride in offering locally grown produce and other products, another characteristic that he says sets his grocery apart from the larger corporate markets.

“If you’re in a hurry for lunch, grab some good home-style country cooking from our hot deli bar,” said Rogers. “We also have hot and ready-to-serve fresh barbecue chicken, pork and ribs, not to mention fresh cakes, pies, and pastries from our bakery each morning.”

Store hours at the Colquitt location will be 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Sundays.

For more information about Mike’s Country Store, visit mikes-country-store.com or call (229) 329-7009.