Monroe Beer Cooler, Monroe’s first and only drive-thru party store, is back in business and new owners Justin and Brittany McCormick are steering for success.

Located at 1135 W. Front St., the store features a vast variety of alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, including Michigan products like Faygo and Towne Club, along with snacks, basic groceries and items from alternating local vendors.

Customers enter the drive-thru entrance off Front St. and follow a route lined with coolers and snack displays before pulling up to the counter to place their order with an employee. Once payment is made, the items are bagged and placed in the car. Customers then exit the store off Cooper St.

“Aside from being the only convenience store in Monroe you can drive your car through, we plan to bring the small, locally owned aspect into the mix,” Justin said. “We live three miles from our store. Our children attend school here. We shop here. We dine here. We plan to continue building inventory and bring in locally owned and operated vendors from honey to dog treats to farm-fresh meat.”

It was in 1948 that John Pratt and John Ornosky established the drive-thru convenience store believed to be the largest of the seven that existed in Michigan at the time. Over the years, the Front street business has had several owners, but it’s always maintained the same shopping format with the same moniker.

"I have always viewed the Monroe Beer Cooler as an iconic establishment in Monroe. I’ve been a long-time customer, and as a car guy, I love the idea of getting to drive my car through a store,” Justin said. “About a year ago I drove through with my two children, Henry and Benjamin. It was early in the pandemic, and I was looking forward to not getting both of the kids out of the truck to grab some drinks and a bag Fritos for chili night. After that trip I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I spent that evening with my wife talking about how cool that place was, what I would do with it if it were mine and the ideas just kept rolling.”

The Monroe couple, who own and operate Nutrition Explosion in Monroe, spent several hours discussing the possibilities before contacting the previous owner about selling the store. As Justin began uncovering information about the business, he discovered friends from his childhood, who he remains friends with today, are related to former owners.

“John Pratt, who started the business, was the grandfather of my friend, Erik Thompson and Amir and Rami Odeh are the children of Mubarak Odeh,” he said. “All of us grew up in the same neighborhood.”

In August 2021, the McCormicks closed the deal and got busy making renovations and repairs with help from Justin’s parents, Danny and Phyllis McCormick of Onstead.

“I am a pretty handy guy, but I knew the remodel was outside of my wheelhouse. I brought my father into the building before I took ownership, presented him with my vision and simply asked, ‘Can you and I do this remodel ourselves?’ Fortunately, he was immediately on board.” Justin said. “My father is a retired skilled tradesman who can do anything, and I don’t say that lightly. He can do anything but dance, as my mother jokingly says. Without his skillset, I would have not been able to afford this undertaking. From rewiring the building top to bottom to rebuilding the entire front fascia of the building. Watching, learning, and just hanging out with my dad has been the ultimate gift during this renovation.”

When the store was ready to decorate, Justin tapped into his mother’s creativity.

"My mother has a knack for seeing a blank space and turning it into something beautiful and inviting,” he said. “Whether it’s a home or business she has always been exceptional at set up and decorating. When we moved into the decor and making our store inviting, she ran point on it.”   

Justin estimates, without the hard work and talents of his parents, the cost to renovate and reopen the store would be close to $250,000 and admits he and his wife considered changing the name.

“Monroe Beer Cooler has been a staple of Monroe for nearly 73 years. It was built as a drive-thru store from the start. It has never been anything else. The name holds a place in many people’s hearts and minds,” he added. “We entertained some name changes but ultimately decided it’s been Monroe Beer Cooler for 73 years; it will be Monroe Beer Cooler for another 73 years.”

Owners: Justin and Brittany McCormick of Monroe

Services: Drive-thru convenience store features a vast variety of alcoholic beverages and soft drinks along with snacks, basic groceries, and items from alternating local vendors.

Hours: Monday through Thursday 1 to 8 p.m.; Friday 1 to 10 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday noon to 8 p.m.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Monroebeercooler

Monroe Beer Cooler Ownership Timeline

A Monroe institution since 1948, Monroe Beer Cooler has had several owners.

the following is a list of the proprietors, according to records from the Monroe City Clerk’s Office, the Monroe County Museum System Local History Division Archives, and Monroe News articles.

1948 - John Pratt and John Ornosky; 

1969 – Robert Banek and Carol / Monroe Beer Cooler, Inc.; 

1978 – Lyle Angerer and Ken Seitz; 

1983 – Hasan Odeh and Mubarak Odeh; 

1992 - Lenny and Julie Books; Manuel Yatooma;