Ben's Great Outdoors

Ben's Great Outdoors is the Thumb's largest sporting goods store, and they mean it. Located in Marlette at 2424 South Van Dyke Road, this isn't a cramped shop—it's a full-scale outdoor superstore built on the idea that you should never have to visit five different stores to outfit yourself for the field.

Their gun department carries rifles, handguns, shotguns, and muzzle-loaders. Over 900 firearms are in stock at any time, which gives you actual choice instead of whatever three options a small shop has.

Ammo is stocked for hunting, target practice, and skeet shooting. If you shoot it, they've got it.

They handle transfers if you're buying from out of state, which beats driving around trying to find an FFL.

If you shoot bows, this is where you actually test before buying. Their 15-yard indoor range lets you feel the bow in your hands before committing. They stock 200+ bows and crossbows from quality brands.

• •Extreme bow tune - $40
• •Basic bow tune - $20
• •Serve string or cable - $8
• •String loop - $4
• •Serve in peep - $5
• •Bow set up (bought elsewhere) - $25
• •Bow set up (bought in store) - FREE
• •Change draw length - $10
• •Change string & cables - $25
• •Refletch arrows - $2.50
• •Cut & insert arrows - $1
• •Labor rate - $59/hr

They've got a real pro shop here. If you bought your bow elsewhere, they'll still work on it.

You can grab your Michigan hunting license right in the store. Hunting apparel includes camo (multiple sets), lifestyle gear, and boots from Irish Setter and Muck—actual hunting brands, not mall brands.

They sell sizes for men, women, and youth, so families can gear up together.

Stocking rods, reels, bait, line, lures, soft baits, hard baits, buzz baits, and lure kits. They carry ice fishing rods, spinning rods, and spinning combos. Michigan fishing licenses available in-store.

Yeti coolers, sleeping bags, tents for all weather, sleeping accessories, cooking appliances, lightweight portable chairs, and canopies. Everything from backpacks to blankets.

• •Address: 2424 South Van Dyke Road, Marlette, MI 48453
• •Phone: (989) 635-7548

The 30,000 sq ft footprint means you're not squeezing through a 2,000 sq ft shop. The bow range is functional—you actually test equipment. Gun and bow servicing are in-house. Michigan licenses sold in-store. They handle transfers. And the inventory depth (900+ firearms, 200+ bows) means you're actually choosing from selection, not leftovers.

They describe it as "Bringing Families and Friends Together," and the reality is a family-atmosphere outdoor store where everyone from camo hunters to ultralight campers finds what they need.