By Samantha Graves Sun contributor Pete and Kate Farmer never imagined they’d one day produce foot drums for the likes of Les Claypool (Primus), Ben Bridewell (Band of Horses) and Garrett Dutton (G. Love & Special Sauce). The couple was busy working on building careers in education. And yet a downturn in the economy spurred […]
The building at 10213 W. Front St. in Empire has been many things to many people. Built in the late 1800s, a steady stream of merchants have sold, among other things, dry goods, millinery supplies, groceries, pharmaceuticals, hand-carved eggs and theater tickets.
It’s that time of year again for the annual salute to the beginning of summer, with delicious local fare and the best of Northern Michigan microbrews. The Glen Lake Chamber’s family-friendly BBQ and Brew summer celebration happens the third Saturday in June each year. This year the anticipated event falls on June 20, from 2 until 8 p.m.
Cedar residents David and Theresa Gersenson are the new owners of the Sylvan Inn, the guesthouse at 6680 Western Avenue in Glen Arbor. They closed the deal Feb. 11, almost three years after moving to Leelanau County from Nederland, Colo., a small mountain town located about 15 miles west of Boulder.
Perhaps you were listening to Michigan Public Radio’s “Stateside” last winter, when an expert from Michigan State University (MSU) weighed in on the day’s topic — music education. That voice may have sounded familiar, especially to Empire residents. It belonged to Cynthia Taggart, Ph.D., who is world-renowned on the subject. Taggart also owns the Secret Garden gift shop, a place to find one-of-a-kind artisan items in Empire.
Antique and vintage shops are treasure troves for all, with many items quite affordable, says Julie Lattimore, owner of Maple City Trading Post, which opened for a brief time last summer and reopened this May. Not only do “old things” tell a story and take us back in time, but they are the ultimate in recycling.
Katy and Matt Wiesen’s M-22 Store has doubled in size. The clothing brand homage to the state highway already anchored downtown Glen Arbor if you crossed the Crystal River and entered from the northeast. Now the M-22 Store boasts a second floor and a sleek, galvanized steel and soft, barn wood exterior.
Food For Thought has played a critical role in the local foods movement here in Northern Michigan. But when he started the business out of his house south of Empire in 1995, Timothy Young was one of just a handful of pioneers in this niche market. The demand for local foods has exploded over the last decade, and Young’s business has expanded to 10 full-time, year-round employees and a spattering of part-time and seasonal employees.
In advance of Glen Lake Restaurant Week, May 1-9, we reached out to Western Avenue Grill chef Ken Sarkadi to ask what excites him about this culinary opportunity before the local tourism season kicks into gear. Participating restaurants will offer their own 3-course prix-fixe dinner for $25. Some establishments will offer $15 lunch specials as well. Glen Lake Restaurant Week began in spring 2014.
In advance of Glen Lake Restaurant Week, May 1-9, we reached out Chef John Piombo at Nonna’s to ask what excites him about this culinary opportunity before the local tourism season kicks into gear. Participating restaurants will offer their own 3-course prix-fixe dinner for $25. Some establishments will offer $15 lunch specials as well. Glen Lake Restaurant Week began in spring 2014.