White’s Party Store Brings Class to Marquette’s East Side

Whether you’re in Marquette for a quick meeting or using it as your home base for a week of exploring Marquette County and the central U.P., you’ll find no shortage of party stores within a short walk or drive of your hotel, campsite or rental property. Not all are alike, however. If you’re looking for an establishment that understands your love for life’s finer things, check out White’s Party Store on North Third Street. White’s isn’t afraid to turn up the “class factor” by a notch or two, but you’ll never feel out of place in its cozy confines.

The Setup

The store’s compact, one-room layout is a breeze to navigate. There are two entrances, one directly on the corner of Third and Park Streets and one on the Park Street side, near its dedicated parking lot. White’s is broken up into several clearly marked sections: Beer sits between the two entrances, near the checkout counter; wine is located in the section closest to the Third Street wall; spirits occupy the shelves along the opposite side of the store; and various specialty items take up the middle aisles. The checkout counter features other “value added” items, including cigars for that special occasion. Around the corner, near the storage and “employees only” areas, sits a generous selection of non-alcoholic beverages. With wood paneling and dark carpeting, the whole place has a refined, classy air: It might sit on a high-visibility corner, but White’s is much more than your typical corner party store.

 

Wine, Beer, Spirits and More

Unless your tastes run to the truly exotic (and even then – more on that in a moment), White’s probably has what you’re looking for. The shelves along the far wall feature an impressive selection of moderately priced wines, along with a few truly special vintages. In front of this wall, a double-sided rack system holds dozens of different bottles in the under-$20 range, many of which come from exotic wine regions like South Africa, Argentina and Portugal. If you’re overwhelmed by the thought of limited-run vintages, White’s also has recognizable brands like Little Penguin and Barefoot.

You’ll find beer on the opposite side of the store. A massive refrigerator (not walk-in, but it might as well be) holds dozens of craft six- and twelve-packs, and macrobrew cases line the non-refrigerated aisle closest to this cooler. Nearby, a smaller cooler holds craft cans and bottles that can be purchased a la carte or for a “make-your-own-six-pack” deal. Most of these sport price tags.

White’s also has an impressive selection of spirits and fortified wines. Need some port for discerning dinner guests? Looking for a single-malt scotch to share on a special occasion? Stocking up on vodka or gin for a summer cocktail or two? You’ll find all this and more in the corner opposite the main entrance. If you can’t find something you want, just ask – it’s possible that the proprietor will be able to order it specially.

 

Don’t Miss These Highlights

We meant it when we said that White’s isn’t your typical party store. Here are just a few of the highlight that set this place apart:

• A “make-your-own-sixpack cooler” with offerings from Arcadia Brewing Company, Blackrocks Bre
• wery, and more than a dozen other Midwestern breweries
• Full and half kegs at various price points
• Arguably the best tequila selection in Marquette County
• A humidor with high-end cigars (and a policy of honoring special requests for said cigars)
• Fine Belgian beers, French wines and other luxury items

 

Know Before You Go

White’s is located at 1001 N. Third Street in Marquette. It’s open till 9 p.m. on Sunday, 10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 11 p.m. on Thursday, and 12 a.m. on the weekend. If you’d prefer to call in advance, the store can be reached at 906.226.6781.