Welcome!
2024
Questions, e-mail us at
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The Fabulous Fridays planning committee was honored to receive the 2016 Best Outstanding Business Award for "Visionary" during the
West Branch Area Chamber of Commerce Business Awards!
West Branch Events
West Branch, Michigan
Downtown Remodel
By Peter Fabbri
This year downtown West Branch
will get a makeover. A major
reconstruction is planned that
includes underground work to
replace aging utilities and
surface work that will create a
new roadway, sidewalks, and
beautification to the entire corridor starting at Fairview and extending west past M30.
Of course, with major work being done, there will be some inconveniences but everything possible is being done to mitigate anything major. Access to the business is being planned to ensure the customers can get into their favorite shops and restaurants. Public parking lots will not be impacted.
The West Branch Area Merchants Association has been meeting to discuss things that they can do to ensure customers have easy access into the businesses. Many rural communities suffer major business loss during projects so the merchants are developing novel strategies, marketing and advertising to get the word out that “We are Open for Business!”
Merchant events may be modified this summer but others are being planned with ideas of having an “Orange Barrel Polka”, as an example. The Art Walk and Wine Tasting event will go on as planned in April and other events are in the works!
When the dust settles, West Branch will be shiny and new. Join us throughout the process and continue to support your favorite businesses. This is an exciting time in West Branch!
Major improvements to the core downtown include expanding the sidewalks allowing outside food service at some of the restaurants, new lighting, trees, benches and more. Pretty much everything will be brand new.
It’s an exciting endeavor and the end result will be a more walkable pleasant inviting downtown. The work is slated to begin in April and go into the fall. The Michigan Dept of Transportation has had several public meetings to share, discuss and obtain input on the project. The road through downtown will be open to traffic throughout the project and alternate detour routes established.
2024 Spring Art Walk & Wine Tasting CLICK HERE!
Courtesy Monika Gawlak-Curus
The West Branch Area Retail Merchants Association is dedicated to promoting West Branch area businessess and providing fun, family events for the community.
About Us
A unique turn-of-the-century shopping experience awaits you in beautiful Downtown West Branch, the cultural focal point for Ogemaw County. Enjoy the architecture with century old buildings. Experience a variety of unique shops and personal services with free, convenient and lighted parking.
Whether you shop, dine, socialize or enjoy our meandering riverwalk along the west branch of the Rifle River or stroll through beautiful Irons Park, our community will welcome you and our enthusiasm will impress you!
Downtown is easily accessed from Interstate 75 at exit 212 or 215 and is just 3 minutes from either exit. We are just six miles west of M33 on M55. From Gladwin, go north on M30. From Standish, go west on M76 and from St. Helen, east on M76.
Questions, e-mail us at
Other sites of interest:
West Branch Area Chamber of Commerce www.wbacc.com
West Branch Visitors Bureau www.visitWestBranch.com
City of West Branch
