Bay Lavender Trading Company
Cookie Thatcher prefers to think of her blends of lavender soaps as “flavors,” and that makes her the new chemist in town. At her shop, Bay Lavender, next to Becky Thatcher Designs on Lake Street in Glen Arbor, she uses only essential oils, free of man-made perfumes, and mixes them with honey, herbs, locally-grown spices and a few secrets to come up with the perfect bar of soap for a given person. Bay Lavender originally opened in August of last year.
Contact information:
5777 Lake St., Glen Arbor … (231) 642-0829 … www.baylavender.com
Please read this excerpt from Jacob Wheeler’s story, which appeared in the Glen Arbor Sun in June 2006:
“Bay Lavender soaps are all handmade, and especially good for people with sensitive skin. They are the perfect northern Michigan creation because, Cookie says, Leelanau County is ideal for growing lavender. In fact, lavender and grapes prefer the same soil and climate. “Lavender is more forgiving, since the frost won’t hurt it.” Cookie gets most of her lavender from two county farms, but especially Leelanau Lavender Breezes on East Johnson Road in Northport because, she says, the couple that planted that farm both have PhDs in the field and they do everything exactly right.”
