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🎣 Sanford Sport Shop: The Store & Its Legacy
Sanford Sport Shop, located at 524 W. Saginaw Road, has long been a cornerstone of outdoor life in town. For over 30 years prior to 2001, it was run by Ron and Bob Fauver, who laid the foundation of bait, tackle, hunting gear, DNR licenses, and community trust   .
In 2001, Jennifer Palmer took over ownership. From that point forward, she became the face and backbone of the business—serving anglers, hunters, hikers, and neighbors alike. Under her stewardship, the shop operated not just as a sporting‑goods outpost, but a social hub: propane fills, deer minerals, food‑plot supplies, trail permits, party goods, and even a beer cave that locals came to rely on  .
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⚠️ Trial by Flood – The Dam Collapse of 2020
On May 19, 2020, the collapse of the Edenville Dam and Sanford Dam sent a deluge through downtown Sanford. The floodwaters crested over rooftops—at the Sport Shop, the water was nearly touching the ceiling. Jennifer Palmer and her longtime associate Judy Howson waded in chest deep, salvaging what they could as merchandise floated and walls caved in. Both the store and the apartment attached to it were destroyed, stripping Jennifer of her business and home overnight  .
Despite the devastation, the Sanford Sport Shop rose again thanks to the support of the community. It partially reopened in late September 2020, and by February 2021 was fully operational again. Flood insurance didn’t cover the losses—customers, employees, and volunteers had to carry the rebuild on sheer grit and goodwill  .
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🌲 Today: A Local Anchor
As of now, Jennifer Palmer has owned Sanford Sport Shop for nearly 25 years—serving as a trusted source for licenses, bait, gear, and camaraderie. Customers describe the place as more than a store: it’s part of the fabric of Sanford. The business has five employees, sponsors outdoor charities like Ducks Unlimited and Whitetails Unlimited, and hosts community giveaways and fundraisers—worthy of its place in a lakeside town built on trust, trees, and the silence just before first cast or first shot at dawn  .
On May 19, 2020, Jennifer Palmer lost her livelihood and home when a catastrophic dam failure in Edenville, MI sent 21.5 billion gallons of lake water from Wixom Lake rushing towards Sanford Lake, subsequently causing the levee and dam in Sanford to fail and ultimately Jennifer has owned the Sanford Sport Shop near the Sanford dam since 2001 and has become a dependable and essential mainstay for Sanford residents and visitors. She has supplied our area with bait and tackle supplies, hunting supplies, party store essentials, and hunting and fishing licenses for almost 20 years, continuing the legacy of Ron and Bob Fauver who ran the business for the 30 years prior. Â
As a small business owner, you put your whole life, time and energy into making a livelihood. It is absolutely devastating that something completely out of her control could take so much from her.
Just like everyone else affected by this catastrophic event, her insurance policy and holder is not covering any of her losses or damages. Not only did she lose her business but she also lost her home that was attached to her business, essentially making her homeless and jobless.  This is a terrible situation for everyone in our area but it is twofold for Jennifer and we desperately want to help her by giving her some financial relief and hope so she can rebuild in our community. Â
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