Cherry Republic’s Bob Sutherland takes stage with “True Gretch”

From staff reports

Governor Gretchen Whitmer will visit the Traverse City Opera House on Wednesday, July 31, to promote her new book, True Gretch, as part of the National Writers Series. Michigan’s popular second-term governor has a national profile and co-chairs Vice President Kamala Harris’ bid for the White House—a role she also held for President’s Biden’s campaign before he exited the race earlier this month.

Cherry Republic founder and president, and Glen Arbor native, Bob Sutherland will guest host the event and interview Whitmer on stage. The Sun chatted with Sutherland about Whitmer—whom he has hosted at Cherry Public House—about his support for progressive candidates and environmental causes, and about the need for businesses to get involved in important issues. “Businesses are one of the few institutions that people still trust,” said Sutherland.

In-person tickets to the July 31 are sold out. Click here to purchase a virtual ticket.

 

Glen Arbor Sun: You’ve met Governor Gretchen Whitmer a handful of times. What is she like in person?

Bob Sutherland: Not that many times—four or five—but each time, we’ve been lucky to have quality time, where we can talk. The Gov has a really strong network across Michigan. And I am lucky to be close to people that are really tight in her network.

She is relaxed and down-to-earth and has a great sense of humor.

Sun: Does she have any favorite Cherry Republic products or experiences?

Sutherland: My first time meeting her was when she came to a fundraiser I hosted for her in her race for Governor. It was at Cherry Republic in Glen Arbor and she brought her daughter and her puppy. Her daughter was about 16 and not too happy to be pulled away from her friends. The Cherry Republic team and I got her teenager in good spirits with Cherry Boomchuggalugga Soda Pop and Cherry Sour Patches back in our HQ offices, where she happily texted with friends.

Sun: How are you preparing for the National Writers Series event with her on July 31? Does this feel different, given the stage and given that she’s in the national spotlight now?

Sutherland: Doug Stanton (co-founder of the NWS and best-selling author) has been prepping me with phone calls and a breakfast meeting at Hexenbelle (a Traverse City coffee shop). And I have been reading everything I can find printed recently on the Gov.

I felt some pressure at first since she’s been in such demand nationally and I am following so many big-name media people. But overall, I feel good about the interview, because, like her, I am a Michigander too, and love this land and water as much as her, so we have a lot in common. I look forward to helping everyone at the Opera House make a nice fun connection with our Governor.

Sun: What might you talk about with her at the City Opera House?

Sutherland: I am not showing my cards. I am having great conversations with family and friends about this event with the Governor. Everyone is giving me excellent questions to ask. I know the Gov. will enjoy answering them.

Sun: What has driven your (and Cherry Republic’s) support for progressive and environmental causes and political candidates?

Sutherland: My love for the north. I absolutely ooze love for our water, our orchards, our national park. My parents were also very socially generous people who taught me to pay it forward at an early age. They also raised me to run for office and make a positive difference. But I found out after being elected that my gifts were in other directions.

My mother also taught me to take time helping good people get elected. She was in the teachers’ lounge with Betty Weaver and Connie Binsfeld and said to them, “What are we doing letting all these men run this county? … Come-on Betty, you’re a lawyer, run for something and I will get you elected. And Connie, you too.”  Well, Betty ran for Probate Judge and won and kept running all the way to a long stint in the Michigan Supreme Court, and Connie ran for County Commissioner and kept running until she became Lt. Governor. And those two political ladies were so good to me. So, now, I get to do the same as my Mom.

I help get good people elected. Like Whitmer, (Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn) Benson, (Michigan Attorney General Dana) Nessel, (State senator Mallory) McMorrow, (Congresswoman and U.S. Senate candidate Elissa) Slotkin, and many others. Yes, mostly women—not all—but mostly in memory of my Mom—who would be so proud to see me up there on the Opera House Stage with Gov. Whitmer.

Sun: How do you navigate potential or perceived risks of running a retail business and getting involved in political causes?

Sutherland: Risks? I support candidates and causes that protect the quality of life in northern Michigan. Clean water, clean air, these are universally supported issues. Some people might disagree, but we can disagree agreeably. Businesses need to get involved in the issues of our lifetime. Businesses are one of the few institutions that people still trust. And when you have trust, you can move mountains.

Michigan is really lucky to have such a high-quality slate of public officials. I think they know that I’d bust through brick walls for any of them.