The iconic Mill on the Crystal River, which Turner Booth has restored since he won zoning approval in a public referendum vote in August 2021, aims to reopen this spring and include a 47-seat all-day cafe and fine-dining restaurant. Early this month The Mill posted a job for an Executive Chef.
Meet the characters, restaurants and farmers impacting the Leelanau food scene
The Crystal River Outfitters Recreation District on Glen Arbor’s east end, which includes the M22 and Coastal retail stores, is attracting customers to its Strolling Lights Festival, which continues through New Year’s Day. According to Katy Wiesen, who owns the three businesses together with her husband Matt, the year ahead will yield a new building across M-22 in the vacant lot which previously housed Riverfront Pizza & Deli.
The Homestead resort, located just east of Glen Arbor, recently completed a three-vear plan to upgrade its on and off-mountain ski offerings. The Homestead ski hill opens at 9 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 26. All chairlifts are open and ready to go. As part of their efforts to support the community, the Sleeping Bear Dunes Visitors Bureau in partnership with The Homestead have provided 10 season passes and rentals for members of the LIFT Teen Center based in Suttons Bay.
It’s a well-known story. Finding an affordably-priced home in Leelanau County is difficult. For Glen Lake School, finding the right superintendent has also been a challenge. Jason Misner started on the job in August. The local community wanted to make sure the Misner family stayed. That meant finding them a home. Up stepped local realtors, who gave them a head start and opportunity to make an offer before a potential bidding war began on the house previously owned by the late John Peppler.
Leelanau County’s decision to require septic inspections when a home is sold could be a boon to the environment. While opposed by the Michigan Association of Realtors, local agents seem to be in favor of it and doubt that it will negatively impact sales. “I’ve been a fan of that (regulation) for years,” said John Martin of the Martin Company. “It’s a great opportunity to upgrade old or failing systems. I think it’s the right thing to do.” “I don’t think it will have a lot of (negative) impact,” added Rob Serbin. “I don’t think it’s a bad thing at all.”
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Cherry Republic’s 31 Days of Giving annual campaign, which runs through December. Throughout the past decade, the Glen Arbor-based company has provided grants to dozens of well-deserving organizations—“from loyal stewards of our climate to big-hearted groups that care for our neighbors who need a bit of a hand up during difficult times,” the company wrote in a news release. We caught up with Sara Harding, Cherry Republic’s vice president of climate and community impact, to learn more about the giving campaign.
A new gift shop opened in Empire last month. Field Trip, offering home goods and apparel, is located on M-22 on the north end of Empire, across the street from Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate. The store carries products from local artisans as well as artisans from around the world. What the items have in common is that they are modern, fun, and unique pieces to add a pop of color and joy to any space. The owners, Trey and Lauren Springer, are a young couple in their early-30s who moved to the area unexpectedly at the beginning of the pandemic.
The annual Glen Arbor Holiday Marketplace returns on Thanksgiving weekend with the “preview party” on Friday, Nov. 25, from 6:30-8 p.m. and the Holiday Market on Saturday, Nov. 26, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The market is known for showcasing a variety of quality, artisan-made goods. It is a popular annual event for year-round and seasonal residents, tourists, and vendors. The Holiday Marketplace nearly went on hiatus this year, but local resident and business owner Dotti Thompson stepped forward to take over as event coordinator.
After a successful first year, the Strolling Lights Festival at Crystal River Outfitters Recreational District in Glen Arbor returns for a second year. This event is a combination of holiday festiveness with the added bonus of supporting local youth and families. Twenty-two pre-lit trees will be placed around The District by November 12. Sponsoring groups and families must provide the decorations and have until November 26 to decorate it. After that, trees will be on display for the public to admire through the new year.