WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI –CJ’s Party Store has been serving customers for 50 years, and has become a go-to shop for many residents in Webster Township.

“There’s a lot of people that depend on us,” Owner Chet Troczynski said. “A lot of customers tell us thank you for being here because this is something you don’t have to go miles and miles to find (and) we have all the necessities.”

The family-owned business got its start in 1972 when Chet decided he wanted to raise children, Mike and Christine in the country. While he was looking for a home, he stumbled across the store at 4511 North Territorial Road.

The area was surrounded by farms and without a lot of housing options, so Chet decided to purchase the store, which came with living quarters at the time, so he and wife Jan could raise their children there.

This was the beginning of CJ’s Party Store — which stands for Chet and Jan.

“I don’t have any regrets by coming out here,” Chet said. “(It’s the) best thing that has ever happened.”

Chet’s son, Mike, started working at the party store while he was attending Eastern Michigan University. After graduating in 1993, he decided it was time for him to take over the business from his father.

Chet wanted his son to do something other than run the family business, but Mike was insistent he would keep CJ’s going.

“(My dad) knew how difficult this business was,” Mike said. “I think he wanted to give me the opportunity (to do something else) even though internally I think he wanted me to stay.”

In his role, Mike has been working hard to make sure CJ’s is known for more than just its beer, liquor and snacks. One way he’s doing this is by expanding the party store’s involvement in disc golf, which is like regular golf but played by throwing discs.

The store’s distance from two 24-hole disc golf courses at Hudson Mills Metropark makes CJ’s the ideal spot to sell items for the sport, Mike said.

CJ’s Party Store “probably wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for disc golf,” Mike said. The shop now sells around 15,000 discs, along with other accessories for the game.

“We kind of evolved into a sports store rather than your every day party store selling booze and tobacco,” Mike said.

Along with carrying products for these games, the party store’s employees also have knowledge of the sport they can share.

“We went from just handling a few discs to being able to handle everything for your game, and being able to explain the game…