By Kalvin D. Perron
Staff Reporter
BAY MILLS - When Highland, Mich., native and restaurant owner Robert "Bob" Matley was looking to acquire property for a new business in the Paradise area, he stumbled across what he called "heaven" on a tiny little road in Bay Mills, ironically nicknamed the "Dump Road" by the locals. Bewildered that 40 acres juxtaposed against the scenic Waishkey Bay and Lake Superior, a "top notch" golf course, casino, and thousands of acres of pristine forests where one could hunt, fish or snowmobile, could be for sale, he said he immediately changed his mind about Paradise and snatched up the land.
Matley, operating under the name J & R.O. Partners along with his son Joe, has many big plans for their newly acquired property. The property will house and display quad-lock in a 100 x 40 ft. warehouse, which is a Styrofoam block used to build and insulate houses that Matley hopes to start selling and distributing in the area. The warehouse will also be used to store snowmobiles, boats, or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).
It will feature 29 condos, about 1400 square feet in size, with a large club house with pool tables and arcade games, for people to congregate at when staying, and a gas station featuring several pumps and a small convenience store with miscellaneous snowmobile parts and accessories. While the 29 condos will not be complete until next year, Matley said construction of the gas station and store, and the large storage building will begin as early as the middle of July, with a completion date set for November 15. Upon completion, the property will be known as the "Old Orchard Station," with the warehouse named, "Your Toy Box Storage."
Matley said the main goal of his business will be to cater to people that live in the city who want to get away and enjoy the remoteness of the U.P. Targeting snowmobilers especially, Matley added that people would continue to travel to the area if they had a place to store their "toys" so they didn't have to lug them back and forth every time they wanted to visit the area. He also believes more people would come to the area if they had something for their families to do, especially their children, which is why he is building a large clubhouse complete with arcade-style games on his property. With more people visiting the area, Matley said all the extra money coming into the community would have a very positive effect."
"Brimley has a lot to offer," he said. "This area needs a place that will cater to families, especially kids, who want to come and get away from the big cities. People are always looking for something to do with their families."
Whether wanting to visit the area for golfing, gaming, boating, hunting, fishing, off-roading, or snowmobiling, Matley said that the "Old Orchard Station" will be exactly what residents of the big cities want - an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Without the hassle of pulling boats, snowmobile trailers, or any other thing anyone could possibly want to store on his property, Matley said if he builds it they would come. "Guaranteed. After all, it's heaven!"
"Anyone that likes to have toys and play you just found yourself heaven in Brimley," he said. "Anything anyone could possibly want to do outdoors they will be able to do right here in Brimley. Who could ask for more than that?"
