The offering includes the commercial real estate on approximately 1.7 acres, the established canoe and kayak livery outfitting business, an operational four-room bed and breakfast, an established car-spotting vehicle shuttle business, the retail pro shop, and on-site owner/manager living quarters.
The property features over 200 feet of direct, accessible river frontage on the Au Sable River, offering immediate launch and takeout access for paddling, outfitting, and lodging guests.
The car-spotting service assists paddlers and anglers by shuttling their personal vehicles from the livery launch point to designated downstream landing zones, creating an essential, high-margin ancillary service with strong repeat commercial demand.
Yes, the property includes dedicated on-site owner's or manager's living quarters attached to or integrated within the main commercial facility, making it suitable for an owner-operator or an on-site operational supervisor.
The hospitality component consists of a four-room bed and breakfast, offering boutique riverfront accommodations for travelers, anglers, and vacationers visiting Grayling and the Au Sable River corridor.
Detailed historical financial documentation, equipment schedules, and business operating records are available to verified, qualified buyers upon signing a standard commercial Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).
101 Maple Street is located in downtown Grayling, positioned adjacent to Interstate 75 and state highway M-72, providing direct regional connectivity to Traverse City, Gaylord, and southern Michigan markets.
The property benefits from downtown Grayling municipal infrastructure, including municipal water and public sewer connections, along with approximately 1.7 acres of land providing parking and operational staging.
While the canoe and kayak livery operates primarily from spring through autumn during peak paddling and fishing months, lodging and retail operations present opportunities for extended shoulder-season and winter recreation business.
Customer traffic is driven by world-class fly fishing and paddling on the Au Sable and Manistee Rivers, the annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon, nearby state forest trail systems for hiking, biking, and snowmobiling, and downtown Grayling dining and cultural events.
BORCHERS CANOE & KAYAK LIVERY
RIVERSIDE BED & BREAKFAST | GRAYLING, MICHIGAN
ESTABLISHED SEASONAL BUSINESS • THREE REVENUE STREAMS • RIVERFRONT LIVING
Own an established recreational and hospitality business on the celebrated AuSable River—while enjoying the rare opportunity to live right where Northern Michigan comes to play. Situated on approximately 1.7 acres with more than 200 feet of direct river frontage in Grayling, Borchers combines an established canoe and kayak livery with office and store, four-room riverside bed and breakfast, car-spotting services and comfortable on-site owner’s living quarters.
A well-established and highly regarded canoe and kayak outfitting operation located on one of Michigan’s most scenic and popular rivers. With over 200 feet of direct Au Sable River frontage, an attractive office and retail store, and a strong reputation built on years of successful operation, Borchers enjoys a loyal customer base and substantial repeat business.
The property's extensive river frontage features a long boardwalk designed for convenient staging, loading, and launching of canoes and kayaks, allowing for efficient operations even during peak summer demand. The business maintains an inventory of more than 100 watercraft, supported by four vans and trailers for customer transportation and equipment retrieval. This well-organized operation allows many watercraft to be rented multiple times per day, with boats returning from morning trips available for additional afternoon rentals, maximizing equipment utilization and revenue potential.
Offering everything from shorter recreational outings to extended overnight river adventures, the business serves families, outdoor enthusiasts, and experienced paddlers alike. Its substantial equipment inventory, excellent waterfront facilities, established customer base, and efficient operating infrastructure provide a strong foundation for continued success, with additional growth opportunities through increased weekday rentals, expanded marketing, and greater utilization of existing equipment.
A beautifully furnished and inviting riverside lodging experience for visitors seeking outdoor adventures, fishing, biking, or simply a relaxing Northern Michigan getaway. This attractive, well-maintained building enjoys an exceptional setting directly overlooking the Au Sable River, offering beautiful water views and a peaceful atmosphere.
The four tastefully appointed guest rooms feature comfortable queen-size beds, private bathrooms, cable television, and attractive furnishings throughout. Three rooms offer two queen beds, providing flexibility for families and small groups, while the fourth features a queen bed and cozy reading nook. Two premium riverside rooms enjoy direct access to the spacious wraparound balcony overlooking the river.
Guests can relax in the welcoming common areas, gather around the fireplace, or enjoy morning coffee on the covered riverside porch. A full breakfast adds to the traditional bed-and-breakfast experience.
With its quality accommodations, exceptional riverfront setting, and proximity to Grayling's outstanding recreational opportunities, this established lodging business offers an attractive additional revenue stream with excellent potential for increased occupancy, expanded marketing, and higher room rates.
An established and valuable additional revenue stream serving canoeists, kayakers, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts throughout the Au Sable River corridor. The business provides vehicle spotting and transportation services along an extensive stretch of the river, from the Grayling area downstream through Mio and as far as Oscoda.
With relatively limited competition for these specialized services, Borchers has developed a loyal customer base, particularly among paddlers enjoying multi-day river adventures. Popular destinations include Burton's Landing, Stephan Bridge, and Wakeley Bridge, with services available for longer trips throughout the river system.
This established operation benefits from its experienced seasonal staff, transportation equipment, and strong familiarity with the river and its numerous access points. Car spotting provides an additional source of revenue beyond traditional canoe and kayak rentals, with excellent potential for growth through increased marketing, expanded service volume, and greater awareness among recreational river users.
The primary business activity is concentrated in Northern Michigan’s popular outdoor recreation season. The owner’s residence is located within the attractive office/store building, making it convenient to manage the operation while enjoying everyday life on the river. For an owner-operator, this is a compelling alternative to a conventional year-round business: a productive summer season, followed by more flexibility during quieter months.
A rare combination: established business operations, multiple income sources, riverfront real estate, and a place to call home.
Grayling is a welcoming Northern Michigan community known for its outdoor heritage, lively summer recreation, and easy access to four-season activities. The Au Sable River is a destination for canoeing, kayaking, fly fishing, and peaceful days on the water. The internationally known AuSable River Canoe Marathon brings excitement and visitors to the community each summer.
Explore miles of biking and hiking trails, including the nearby Hanson Hills recreation area, which also offers winter cross-country skiing and other seasonal activities. Downhill skiing is available in the broader region, while snowmobiling, fishing, golf, and public lands add to the area’s year-round appeal.
Downtown Grayling offers restaurants, breweries, local shops, and places to gather after a day on the river. Gaylord provides additional major shopping and services within a convenient regional drive. Traverse City and Cherry Capital Airport offer expanded dining, cultural attractions, air travel connections, and access to the Grand Traverse region.
Borchers represents an exceptional opportunity to acquire a successful, well-managed, and established business with a proven track record. The current owners have done an outstanding job maintaining and improving the property, facilities, and equipment while building a loyal customer base and strong reputation. With updated facilities, an extensive inventory of watercraft, well-maintained transportation equipment, and an experienced seasonal staff in place, this is a truly turnkey operation ready for a new owner to step in and continue its success.
While the business is already operating successfully, there remains considerable opportunity for additional growth and profitability. More aggressive online and social media marketing, dynamic pricing strategies for both lodging and watercraft rentals, increased weekday business, and extending the B&B season into spring and fall could further enhance revenues. Additional opportunities include expanding the already successful car-spotting service and developing attractive packages combining lodging, paddling, and transportation.
The appeal is the combination of an established, profitable business that is ready to operate from day one, with meaningful opportunities for a new owner to build on an already successful operation.
Borchers is more than a riverfront property or a single recreational business. It is a chance to own a recognizable Grayling-area operation with diversified services, an established customer base, and the lifestyle benefits of living directly on the Au Sable River. For buyers seeking both business potential and a genuine Northern Michigan way of life, this is an opportunity worthy of a closer look.
Detailed business and financial information available to qualified purchasers upon signed NDA
Information supplied by the sellers and other sources is believed reliable but has not been independently verified. Revenue figures are historical and not a representation of profit or future results. Buyers should independently verify all property, business, financial, licensing, and operating details. Growth opportunities are illustrative and not guaranteed.
Ken Weaver and Marissa Spencer Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Michigan
Ken 231-668-6303 Marissa 231-429-4109 Office 231-947-7777
Grayling, Michigan, is one of Northern Michigan's premier outdoor recreation destinations, offering an exceptional combination of world-famous rivers, scenic biking and hiking trails, winter sports, shopping, breweries, restaurants, and year-round activities.
Conveniently located along I-75 in the heart of Northern Michigan, Grayling has long been a favorite destination for visitors seeking outdoor adventure and the charm of a welcoming Northern Michigan community.
From summer days paddling the legendary Au Sable River to fall color tours, winter skiing, and exploring the shops and restaurants downtown, Grayling offers something for every season.
The Au Sable River is the centerpiece of Grayling's recreational appeal and one of Michigan's most celebrated waterways.
Known for its crystal-clear waters, beautiful forested shorelines, world-class trout fishing, and exceptional canoeing and kayaking, the river attracts outdoor enthusiasts from throughout Michigan and across the country.
The river offers opportunities for leisurely family paddling trips, fishing adventures, wildlife viewing, and more challenging excursions.
For generations, the Au Sable has helped establish Grayling as one of the Midwest's most recognized canoeing and outdoor recreation destinations.
One of Grayling's signature events is the internationally recognized AuSable River Canoe Marathon, an annual endurance race that attracts elite paddlers, spectators, and visitors from across North America and beyond.
Beginning in downtown Grayling, competitors race approximately 120 miles through the night to Oscoda on Lake Huron.
The race is one of the most demanding and prestigious canoeing competitions in the world.
The event brings tremendous excitement to downtown Grayling, with spectators gathering along the river to experience the start of this remarkable Northern Michigan tradition.
The marathon is a major part of Grayling's identity and reinforces the community's longstanding reputation as a premier paddling destination.
Grayling has become an increasingly popular destination for cyclists, mountain bikers, hikers, and trail enthusiasts.
The area offers an extensive network of paved pathways, forest trails, and challenging mountain biking routes.
Highlights include:
Grayling Bicycle Turnpike: A paved recreational pathway connecting Grayling with destinations including Hartwick Pines State Park and Hanson Hills Recreation Area.
Hanson Hills Mountain Bike Trails: Miles of scenic singletrack trails winding through rolling hills and beautiful Northern Michigan forests.
Hartwick Pines State Park: A spectacular natural setting with hiking and biking opportunities, towering old-growth pine trees, and scenic forest trails.
Mason Tract Pathway: A beautiful hiking destination following portions of the South Branch of the Au Sable River.
Whether visitors prefer a relaxed bicycle ride or a challenging mountain biking adventure, the Grayling area offers outstanding opportunities.
Located just minutes from downtown Grayling, Hanson Hills Recreation Area is one of the community's most popular recreational attractions.
During the winter, Hanson Hills offers downhill skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and an extensive groomed cross-country ski trail system.
In warmer months, the area becomes a destination for mountain biking, hiking, trail running, and disc golf.
Hanson Hills provides an excellent recreational amenity for visitors and residents, helping make Grayling a true four-season destination.
Downtown Grayling offers an appealing combination of small-town charm, unique shopping, locally owned restaurants, breweries, and gathering places.
Visitors can explore specialty shops, outdoor outfitters, gift stores, art galleries, and businesses catering to Northern Michigan's outdoor lifestyle.
Grayling's growing food and beverage scene includes popular local establishments such as Paddle Hard Brewing, Rolling Oak Brewing, and other restaurants and gathering spots.
The downtown area is especially lively during summer tourism season, special events, and the annual canoe marathon.
With the Au Sable River running through the community, downtown Grayling offers a distinctive Northern Michigan atmosphere that blends outdoor recreation with dining, shopping, and entertainment.
Just north of Grayling, Hartwick Pines State Park is one of Northern Michigan's most treasured natural attractions.
The park is famous for its magnificent stand of old-growth white pine trees, offering visitors a glimpse of Michigan's historic forests.
Miles of scenic trails, educational exhibits, and the park's logging museum provide opportunities for hiking, sightseeing, and exploring the region's history.
The park is particularly beautiful during Michigan's fall color season.
Grayling is widely recognized for its exceptional trout fishing, particularly along the Au Sable River and its branches.
Fly fishermen travel from throughout the country to experience these legendary waters.
The surrounding region also offers golf courses, lakes, state forests, hunting, camping, snowmobiling, and extensive opportunities for outdoor exploration.
Nearby Higgins Lake and other Northern Michigan lakes add to the area's recreational appeal.
With vast areas of public forestland and an extensive trail network, Grayling offers an outstanding setting for outdoor enthusiasts.
One of Grayling's greatest strengths is its appeal throughout the year.
Spring: Trout fishing, hiking, biking, and the beginning of paddling season.
Summer: Canoeing, kayaking, river adventures, camping, golf, biking, downtown shopping, and the famous AuSable River Canoe Marathon.
Fall: Spectacular autumn colors, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and scenic drives through Northern Michigan forests.
Winter: Downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, tubing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing.
This variety of activities provides opportunities to attract visitors well beyond the traditional summer tourism season.
Grayling's combination of natural beauty, established tourism, recreational attractions, and convenient highway access makes it an outstanding location for an outdoor recreation and hospitality business.
The area's longstanding reputation as a canoeing and kayaking destination, together with its expanding biking, hiking, dining, and four-season recreational opportunities, creates an appealing environment for businesses serving visitors to Northern Michigan.
For the Borchers Canoe Livery & Bed and Breakfast property, this remarkable location provides an opportunity to participate in one of Michigan's most established outdoor tourism markets.
With direct Au Sable River frontage, a well-established canoe and kayak operation, lodging accommodations, and additional business activities, the property is ideally positioned to benefit from everything the Grayling area has to offer.
Grayling isn't simply a place to visit—it's a Northern Michigan destination where outdoor recreation, natural beauty, and small-town charm come together.
This property is located at 101 Maple Street, Grayling, MI 49738
Traverse North Realty www.TraverseNorth.com Old Mission Real Estate www.LiveOMP.com 231.668.6303 Ken Weaver is the broker/owner of Traverse North Realty and our branch office, Old Mission Real Estate. With over $100 Million in closed transactions, we have the experience and expertise needed to provide you with exceptional service and results.
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