Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette Mike Kowalczyk and his dog Zoey, behind the counter of the Otter River Outfitters store, in Houghton. Kowalczyk, who is closing the store on Dec. 31, said he wants to thank the community for an incredible four years.

HOUGHTON — At year’s end Otter River Outfitters on Shelden Ave in Houghton will close its doors and the business’s owner, Mike Kowalczyk, said he wants to thank the community for the support the residents have provided his business since 2018.

Kowalczyk, who opened the shop in August of 2018 said he is amazed at the support he is receiving.

“People are asking me not to close,” he said, as he looked at the number of customers browsing the items.

“It’s not sales, it’s not — this store is just amazing,” he said. “I don’t get it.”

Kowalczyk said although he feels he needs to move on to other projects, he sometimes second-guesses himself and asks if he is doing the right thing.

The store is unique in its offerings as well as its atmosphere. But he admits it is a fluke.

“I never really wanted this,” he said, “and now it’s time to move on.” But for Kowalczyk, there are mixed emotions.

One thing he is taking away from the store and the experience, he said, he cannot quite put into words.

“I’ve played music with friends in here,” he said, “and I’ve listened to music with friends in here and met after hours. I bring my dog here.”

Besides making a living at the store and broadening his horizons, Kowalczyk said he thinks he is walking away with something worth more than money.

Kowalczyk, a native of Chicago, said that although the store is closing, he does not have plans to leave the area.

“Gosh. It’s why I moved up here,” he said.

He came to the Upper Peninsula often with his father and uncles and family friends on fishing and hunting trips, he said.

The Idea behind Otter River Outfitters was to bring name brand and basics at affordable prices, he said. The inventory tended to change often, but customers seemed to enjoy the variations he said.

With less than a week left for business, Kowalczyk said he is looking forward to other projects, while at the same time, closing the clothing and nicknack shop with the same reservations many of his customers have expressed.

“I’ve been getting hugs and handshakes,” he said, “and people asking me not to close the business. So, I just want to thank the community for being so great.”