Cedar preps for the holidays
By Pat Stinson
Sun contributor
Just in time for the holidays, Cedar merchants have made changes that will bring comfort and joy to area shoppers this season.
The most noticeable difference in the village, as of last month, is the creation of additional parking at Bunting’s Cedar Market. Manager Bill Bailey said owner Greg Bunting decided to raze a rental home on property he owned next to the grocery store and use the space to increase the store’s parking spots to approximately 35.
Bailey said the former parking lot was “very congested” and was not only inconvenient for shoppers but also for delivery truck drivers and employees.
“Customers, myself included, would see that congestion and just drive on by,” he said.
Now that the new parking area is completed, Bailey said plans are afoot to expand the market’s checkout counter and add another cash register by next spring. The goal is to keep customers who stop for gas and a pop from waiting in line behind shoppers with grocery carts.
Also in October, Cedar Rustic Inn added some new menu items sure to please diners looking for healthier choices. Jennifer Ely, front-of-the-house supervisor, said Chef Aaron Ackley now offers winter warm-ups such as Gluten-free Chicken Nachos, a Vegetable Thai Curry and a Seafood Cioppino — a combination of cod, shrimp and mussels poached in a white wine-lemon-tomato basil broth with spinach, julienned carrots and shaved celery, served with a piece of grilled sourdough bread.
Liz Saile, owner of L. Saile Designer Jewelry, announced that the gallery will host a featured artist on each of the four Saturdays in December before Christmas: Dec. 1, Annz Metalz Designz, metal art and fabrication; Dec. 8, Michelle Hart Jahraus, Duck to Swan Gallery; Dec. 15, Debra Coburn, fused glass artist; Dec. 22, Liz Saile, L. Saile Designer Jewelry.
Saile also noted that the last day customers may place special orders for pet portraits from Duck to Swan Gallery or jewelry from her studio and gallery is Dec. 8.
A new Metal Art Studio offering custom welding and fabrication by Annz Metalz Designz is located behind and below L. Saile Designer Jewelry, with an entrance near Bunting’s smokehouse. Hours as of press time were not yet posted. Some of the studio’s work includes garden art, welcome signs, gates and commissioned pieces. For more information, visit www.AnnzMetalzDesignz.com.
Mark your calendars for Sunday, Dec. 2, when the village of Cedar will offer community caroling beginning at 5 p.m. next to the big spruce tree near the flashing light. Afterward, meet at the L. Saile gallery for hot chocolate, popcorn and cookies. Call the gallery at (231) 228-2082 for more information.
Cedar Hilltoppers Club will offer the club’s snowmobile headquarters once again for Santa’s annual visit on Dec. 9. Call (231) 228-6728 for details.
