Honoring the workers who powered us through the summer
Above photo: Anderson’s Market J-1 guest workers: Nomi, Rajae, Anna, Kim, Nesibe, and Demir.
Many local Leelanau County businesses rely, in part, on J-1 international student workers to shoulder the load through the busy summer tourism season. Each Labor Day weekend, we honor and thank those workers. Meet a few of them here—from Anderson’s Market, Art’s Tavern, Grocers Daughter Chocolate, Blu, Crystal River Outfitters and La Becasse.
Art’s Tavern guest workers: Navaphum Piboontammawong, nickname “Japan” (from Thailand), and Junjie Weng (from China).
Blu’s Brandon Chamberlain (front) with Kaisar Makhanbet (Kazakhstan), David Oprea (Romania), Artur Lyhin (Ukraine), Zekeriya Mete Guzelsevgi (Turkey), and Zhengis Torekhan (Kazakhstan).
Grocers Daughter Chocolate owner Jody Hayden with An “Daisy” Yujuan (China), Liliana Mena (Colombia), Jiayi “Kelli” Wu and gelato shop manager Kara Keenan.
La Becasse staff: Gus and Olivia, (cousins from Dunn’s Farm, and Freda (China).
Crystal River Outfitters’ kayak livery summer staff.
