Wildflowers is a delightful cornerstone of shops in Glen Arbor, offering over an acre of beautiful gardens for customers to stroll through and enjoy in the spring, summer and fall. The gardens are full of unique bird baths, fountains, wind chimes, scupture, plants, potted arrangements and garden accessories. Inside customers are enthralled with the unique collection of gifts, interior design, jackets, furniture, jewelry, Baci Beads, paintings, custom silk arrangements, and an assundry of other engaging items that are sure to delight you and your family.

The Synchronicity Art Gallery shows the original work of 95 outstanding Michigan artists in a wide variety of media. The gallery is located in Glen Arbor in the heart of Lake Michigan’s Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore, 25 miles northwest of Traverse City. Synchronicity’s website features some of its artists with examples of their work that are available for purchase.

Entering the Sobran gallery on the west side of Glen Arbor one is offered a feast for the eye. There one comes face to face with impressionistic paintings of local scenery marked by their brilliant colors. Tropical Key West and images from France and Italy also adorn the walls or are found stacked on a table.

For owners Tom Brodhagen and Kate Presnell, owning a greenhouse is a year-round job, and one that peaks in May. “Personal and family life are put on hold from February through the end of May, when we are tied down to our greenhouses,” says Kate.

Diane’s Hairstyling Studio is a familiar destination for many of us living in southern Leelanau County. Owned and operated by Diane Aylsworth, the studio provides a friendly and informal environment. Diane herself is a modest professional who has gained the business and respect of countless clients.

Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate was started in 2004 and is owned and operated by Mimi Wheeler. It is a family-owned business, perched on a dune in the quaint village of Empire. Mimi’s love for rich, dark chocolate and a deep connection to her garden inspire her truffles and other chocolate creations.

After many years of dealing antiques, Miser’s Hoard in Empire recently expanded its business to include new items. Paul and Heidi Skinner’s expansion included giving up almost their entire first floor of living space — what dedication!

To simply describe Phil Deering as a life-long local grocer and civic leader in Empire seems too matter-of-fact, too understated.. But that’s just the way this humble man would have it. Phil was born in 1947 and attended the old Empire school.

Margaret Hodge has found her dream job. “I get to hang out with men all day long and then not have to clean or cook for them when I go home at night!” jokes the owner of Anchor Hardware, a small, jack-of-all trades store on M-22, just north of the Empire village.

The venerable Burdickville destination, on the east side of Big Glen Lake, has been owned and operated by Richard Hargreaves since 1987. The white-haired, slender proprietor, familiar to two generations of ice cream lovers, served up his final cone in 2008, before handing his well-worn scoop over to Laker Shakes’ new owners, sisters Ellen and Mary O’Neill.