Germfask Mercantile and Hostel

09/01/2026

Battle Creek Punk Rock Flea Market is less than two weeks away!

We will be giving away a Black Flag T-shirt! Probably worn at one time by yours truly.

Don't worry, it's clean. I think.

I'm pestering a couple of old grizzled punk rockers to man our Museum of Mystery, Mirth, and Mayhem of punk memorabilia.

Sunday, 13 September, Kellogg Arena. Free admission.

[Cool factor, I saw Henry Rollins front Black Flag in '85]

08/30/2026

10 day forecast

08/28/2026

Ahem....we have openings for our short term rental if you want the whole building to yourself!

Don't make me close the VRBO & open up the hostel reservations!

VRBO.com/980761

~Peak Fall Foliage 2026~

In the Upper Midwest, the dry summer will likely lead to an early-to-average peak for fall foliage. Trees are already beginning to change color in some areas as they experience stress from the lack of moisture. As a result, peak colors could arrive in as little as 2–3 weeks. Farther south, beneficial rainfall over the past few months should support a more average timeframe for peak foliage, along with more vibrant colors than those expected farther north. The absence of early frosts should also help preserve the quality and intensity of the fall colors. The primary negative factors to watch will be periods of windy conditions, which could cause leaves to fall prematurely, as well as the potential for early-season snow across parts of the Corn Belt in October. Overall, however, conditions appear favorable for a relatively good fall foliage season, particularly farther south.

08/27/2026

Germfask Mercantile Road Show!

I'm an 80's punk. I also sell stuff punks should be buying.

Like ties. Every punk needs at least one tie, right?

And books. Classic lit & history. I'll even throw in some sci-fi & s**t.

Heck, I'll push some Yooper merch on them.

If you are in the Battle Creek area, come and see me! The event is FREE!

08/26/2026

Colors starting soon!

We have openings for multi day rentals starting the 18th!

If we don't get some bookings soon, we'll start opening up hostel reservations.

This summer, we have WAY more hostel customers than VRBO customers. So if you want the place to yourself for a multi day stay, GET ON IT.

Hostel customers tend to book closer to their preferred date so if you are in need of just a room, be patient, I'll start opening up more dates. Currently accepting hostel reservations from Sept 1-11.

Links in comments.

08/23/2026

Germfask Merchantile is on the road!

We are in Hastings for the annual Hastings Summerfest !

Curated and repurposed Michigan tshirts! Golf balls! Mass fiction paperbacks! Lots of other peoples crap as well!

Fri Sat Sun 1000am until we feel like closing. Or getting a beer. 819 N. Michigan Ave right next to Northside Pizza.

We will be at the Battle Creek Punk Rock Flea Market on Sunday September 13th at Battle Creek's Kellogg Arena where we will have an eclectic mix of items plus an old grizzled punk rocker showing off memorabilia from back in the day.

Come join us and say hi!

08/21/2026

I have VRBO openings starting the 18th of September!

Link in the comments!

08/19/2026

Oh boy!

Get your Reservations in!

Sept 1-15 Hostel (AirBnb).
15th-October 30th VRBO.com/980761

1st Fall Color Report is out with 202 Photos. Since 2014 I have been providing the U.P. Fall Color Report, the #1 source for detailed fall color change across the U.P. of Michigan. Fall is here and it will be another beautiful year. right now we are ahead of last year and last year came quick and left quick. So make sure you follow my reports closely each week along with my video updates here on social media. Link to my Yooper Steve U.P. Fall Color Report in the comments below. ⬇️

08/19/2026

Found an old map...guessing late 1950's early 1960's?

What stories can you tell about these businesses?

08/18/2026

A few of the items I have found in the building.