Wolf Point General Mercantile Offers Meals, Items On Main Street
Many community members have embraced the new Wolf Point General Mercantile, located at 224 Main St., since its opening during Wolf Point Wild Horse Stampede week.
“We had people say things like it’s giving them hope for Main Street,” Matt Deserly, one of the store’s owners, said. “There have been a lot of good vibes from people.”
Owners are Matt and Elizabeth Deserly along with Matt’s parents, Lannie and Kathy Deserly. They have been working on the project for the last three years.
Matt explained that his mother originally had the idea and mentioned how she misses the old saddlery shop. They agreed that it was getting difficult to find items on Main Street, whether it was crochet hooks or candy bars.
Wolf Point General Mercantile now features a good variety of items from lunches and snacks to blankets and jewelry.
“We were doing a lemonade stand a few years ago and it turned into this,” Matt laughed.
The project included remodeling the floor and a counter bar that features Matt’s beautifully painted map of the Missouri River from Fort Kipp to Nashua.
The menu is highlighted with buffalo joes, bison chili with frybread, pulled pork fried rice, vegetable fried rice and loaded super nachos. Old fashioned milk shakes, waffle cones and banana splits have been big sellers. Also offered are lattes and flavored iced coffee. Snacks include cinnamon rolls, boxes of popcorn, pickles, nachos and fruit cups. “Buffalo was one of the things I thought wasn’t being offered enough here,” Matt said. He says he is impressed by the superior taste of buffalo compared to beef.
In addition, Matt’s daughter makes granola treats and Kathy provides cookies.
There are a wide range of local products throughout the store including star quilts, art work and jewelry. A selection of blankets and native print hats are also available.
“We just wanted to support the town,” Matt explained.
He was surprised by the high prices when he returned to Wolf Point about 10 years ago. “We wanted to make our prices low enough so we could sell to more people,” he noted.
In May, Wolf Point Mercantile received a $5,000 cash prize through the Great Northern Development Corporation and Small Business Development Center’s Minnow Tank Business Plan Competition.
“That really pushed us to act instead of dream,” Matt said of the award.
The Deserlys then set their goal of opening the business in time for this year’s Stampede celebration. That accomplishment paid off for both them and the community.
“Right now, we’re taking the Stampede cash and turning it into new items,” Matt said.
Future plans include a photography studio in the back since both Matt and Elizabeth graduated with photography degrees from Northwest College in Powell, Wyo. A meeting room will also be offered. They are also planning to offer grocery delivery at some point.
Business hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays.
