Birch Run's rural atmosphere broken up by its outlet mall
Surrounded by farms and crop fields, Birch Run looks like most other rural Michigan towns. However, Birch Run established itself as a commercial hub with Birch Run Premium Outlets featuring over 100 stores. People from the surrounding areas head to Birch Run for shopping, as well as tourists in the region visiting other towns like nearby Frankenmuth. Still, even with the mall, Birch Run maintains its small-town atmosphere. “Rural and family-friendly,” says consultant Marshall Mannion with Cobblestone Realty when asked to describe Birch Run. Plenty of residents live on farms outside of the town’s official limits but stay connected to the area through the town’s schools and public amenities. Still, the mall continues to bring more people and attention to the town. “There’s a good mix of people who have been there for decades and others who are just moving in,” Mannion says.
Birch Run Outlet Mall and the surrounding local restaurants
Birch Run Premium Outlet features a mix of outlets for brands like Kate Spade, lululemon, Le Creuset, Adidas and Coach and chain restaurants like Culver’s and Applebee’s. People can also stop in the movie theater. Tony’s Restaurant is also over here, serving everything from sandwiches and pasta to steak, seafood and Mexican. They are known for their bigger portions, including their huge ice cream sundaes. Past the outlet mall on the outskirts of town, The Comet Classic Diner and Creamery is a silver diner decked in chrome, with teal and pink detailing on the vinyl booths and fixtures. Patrons can sip their milkshakes at the bar or at the picnic tables outside. Don’s Foodland and Meijer are the town’s grocery stores.
Farmhouses and American Foursquares in town and beyond
In town, Nationals, American Foursquares and ranch-style homes line the streets, where sidewalks run alongside empty lawns and American flags hang from the lampposts and telephone wire poles. Homes here typically range from $90,000 to $350,000. Outside of town, there’s more space between homes as the setting gets more rural. Longer driveways emphasize big properties, which can span from 1 to 14 acres. Some homes hide behind trees hugging close to the road, while others sit out in the open, surrounded by cornfields and flanked by barns. Styles out here include farmhouses and ranch-style homes, which typically range from $170,000 to $630,000, with the price increasing with the acreage.
Birch Run's public schools and associate degree opportunities
North Elementary School serves grades kindergarten through fourth and receives a C-plus from Niche. Fifth through eighth graders head to Marshall Green Middle School, which receives a B-minus from Niche. B-rated Birch Run High School offers dual enrollment courses through Mott Community College, where students can earn up to two years of transferable college credit or get a head start on an associate degree.
Playing at the local park and watching races at the speedway
Birch Run Community Park’s playground, tennis and basketball courts and four baseball diamonds are just outside of the town’s limits. Open May to October, Wilderness Trail Zoo features animals like tigers, bears, camels, capybara and macaws. From April to November, the racing season kicks off at the Birch Run Speedway.
Taking Interstate 75 to nearby cities for additional amenities
Interstate 75 cuts through the eastern side of Birch Run, linking it to Saginaw, 16 miles north, and Flint, about 22 miles south. Covenant Medical Center Cooper is about 18 miles away, located in Saginaw. Bishop International Airport is the closest airport, about 22 miles away in Flint.
Written By
Caroline Ernst
