Price County Business Spotlight: Meet the Heart of Our Northwoods Community

1. Prentice Market & Deli

📍 Address: 520 Center Street, Prentice, WI 54556
📞 Phone: (715) 428-2525

The Story: A cornerstone of the Prentice community, this market is much more than a grocery store. It is a vital resource for both locals and outdoor enthusiasts heading into the woods. Whether you need bait at 5 AM, a made-to-order sandwich for the trail, or just a friendly face to ask about fishing conditions, Prentice Market delivers. The deli counter turns out some of the best lunch specials in the county. Simple, generous, and priced for working folks.

• Full-service grocery & fresh deli meats
• Freshly made specialty sandwiches and daily lunch deals ($6, $9)
• Fishing bait and basic tackle. Open early for anglers
• One of the few gas stops in Prentice with trail access

2. Rail Trail Cafe

📍 Address: W5016 Hwy. 86, Ogema, WI 54459
📞 Phone: (715) 767-5222

The Story: Located directly on the historic trail system in Ogema, this cafe is famous for its patriotic atmosphere and “home-cooked” feel. It is a mandatory stop for trail riders. You can literally ride your ATV or snowmobile up to the front door. During summer weekends, the parking lot fills with machines and the dining room fills with stories. Owner-operated with a menu that hasn’t cut corners: real butter, real bacon, and real portions.

• Direct ATV and Snowmobile trail access. Ride right up to the door
• Known for “The Best Bacon, Egg, and Cheese” in the area
• Serving hearty American comfort food from breakfast to dinner
• Seasonal hours. Call ahead in shoulder seasons

⭐ Must-Try: The signature breakfast skillets and homemade pies. The peanut butter pie alone is worth the ride.

3. Ripsaw Saloon

📍 Address: 1117 Railroad Ave, Prentice, WI 54556
📞 Phone: (715) 428-2042

The Story: Defining the “Premier Dive Bar” experience, the Ripsaw Saloon is an owner-operated gem known for high-quality food in a relaxed, classic atmosphere. This isn’t a dive bar that’s given up. It’s a dive bar that’s proud of what it is. The menu punches well above its weight class, largely because the kitchen takes the craft seriously. Everything fried gets 100% beef tallow, and the Old Fashioneds are hand-muddled the traditional Wisconsin way. Brandy, bitters, orange, cherry, and soda. No shortcuts.

• Signature Cooking: All appetizers and fish are fried in 100% beef tallow for superior flavor and crisp
• Hand-muddled Old Fashioneds made the traditional Wisconsin way
• Eclectic decor and a welcoming “everyone-is-a-local” vibe
• Friday Fish Fry that draws people from 30+ miles away

⭐ Must-Try: The Friday Fish Fry and tallow-fried Tater Tots. Pair with an Old Fashioned. That’s the Northwoods trinity.

4. Karow’s Bar & Resort

📍 Address: N7560 Karow Lane, Phillips, WI 54555
📞 Phone: (715) 339-6108

The Story: Sitting on the shores of Solberg Lake, Karow’s has been serving up Northwoods hospitality since the 1960s. Part bar, part resort, part community gathering spot. The Friday fish fry here is a Phillips institution. Locals will tell you it rivals any in the state. Lakeside dining in summer, a warm tavern in winter, and cabins for rent if you want to make a weekend of it.

• Lakeside bar and restaurant with full menu
• Cabin rentals on Solberg Lake. Boat landing on site
• Friday Fish Fry with lake-caught walleye when available
• Open year-round, winter snowmobile access

⭐ Must-Try: The walleye dinner on a summer evening, sitting on the deck watching the sun drop behind the pines.

5. Price County Implement (Phillips)

📍 Address: N12070 Cty Rd H, Phillips, WI 54555

The Story: Part hardware store, part equipment dealer, part problem-solving institution. When your ATV needs a part, your chainsaw needs a chain, or you need to figure out how to fix something that “can’t be fixed,” this is where you go. The staff actually uses the products they sell, which means you get real advice instead of blank stares. A true Northwoods general-store mentality that’s getting harder to find anywhere.