Pegtown Station celebrates 20 years in Maple City

By Katie Dunn

Sun contributor

As expected, the 20-year anniversary celebration of Maple City’s Pegtown Station was nothing short of a resounding affirmation of owners Mary and Dave MacDonald’s tireless work and dedication over the past two decades. There was a palpable sense of joy in the air that evening.

The MacDonalds’ recent celebratory event was an open house, fittingly held right on the premises. It was a most festive evening, complete with refreshments and live music by Elizabeth Landry, the legendary Leelanau County songwriter-musician.

The gathering was the MacDonalds’ heartfelt way of expressing gratitude to the folks of the Leelanau County area, as well as to the many summer residents and tourists who have supported them over the years.

“Being able to celebrate 20 years with this wonderful community of ours is something that Dave and I appreciate greatly. It means the world to us to know how loyal our customers have been throughout the years,” Mary shared.

Krista Zientek, a Lime Lake resident and one of Mary’s dearest and most trusted friends, found the evening to be a moment of well-deserved recognition of the vital role that the MacDonalds’ business has played in the community.

“It was a great evening, and much love from the community—a well-deserved recognition of Dave and Mary! Outside was live music. Lots of people gathered outside and also inside which had a wonderful spread of food, beer and wine. Great seeing the support from the community,” Zientek said.

Glen Arborite, Corinne Cochran, concurred that the occasion was a tremendous success—a true validation of the MacDonalds’ hard work and a moment that unified the community.

“It was really wonderful—multigenerational attendees, and deep love and appreciation for Mary and Dave. People love Pegtown,” Cochran noted.

Jerry Morawski—the self-anointed “Leelanau Laminator”—was the very first attendee, eager to be a part of this very significant milestone, arriving with one of his carefully hand-laminated newspaper articles that showcased the anniversary celebration.

“I attended the Pegtown open house to deliver an awesome laminated article, ‘MacDonalds reflect on 20 years in business.’ I had the opportunity to meet Elizabeth Landry, the talented singer-songwriter-performer for the first time. She touched my heart by dedicating a song in memory of my darling Debbie [Jerry’s spouse who has recently passed]. It truly was a special evening,” Morawski said.

Morawski was joined by other, countless local luminaries of the likes of Jim Dorsey, Tim Dowd, sisters Corinne and Annabelle Cochran, Krista and her husband, John Zientek, Sue Church, Julia Carter, Berry and Jason Kendall, Shari Fouch, Rachel Ball Dyer, Kim Volk, and Tom Krause.

The enthusiasm for Pegtown was boundless—a reflection of the deep connection the community has with this beloved establishment.

For the MacDonalds, it was especially validating to have both sets of their parents there, along with one of Mary’s sisters, a niece, and an aunt. Their presence made the evening feel particularly special—poignantly illustrating that all the years of hard work and dedication were truly seen and appreciated. It was nothing short of wonderful for Mary and Dave to share this remarkable occasion with the people who have rooted for them since the beginning. Their families’ pride in what they have built has been deeply meaningful to Mary and Dave.

“We have been incredibly blessed to have the support of our family throughout the years. It was wonderful to be able to share in this joyous occasion with our parents, Velvet and Stuart Whittaker, Jan and Dusty MacDonald, along with my sister Katie, my niece Kelsey, and my Aunt Barb. It makes our hearts happy to know how proud they are for our accomplishments,” Mary said.

It is almost impossible to imagine Maple City without Pegtown. For more than two decades this iconic restaurant has been more than just a dining establishment. It is the veritable heart of the community, where neighbors gather and visitors feel instantly at home.

Mary and Dave share a symbiotic relationship, each taking on distinct roles that are vital to the restaurant’s continued success. Their complementary strengths create a seamless partnership, ensuring that every aspect of the business thrives.

“Mary and I make a great team together. I couldn’t have done this journey without her being by my side,” Dave said.

Their concerted efforts have created a veritable culinary gem.

But it is not just the outstanding food that defines Pegtown—it is the overall experience that the MacDonalds have carefully cultivated.

The atmosphere at Pegtown is reliably cheerful and lively. On a typical day, Mary stands at the helm of their bustling eatery, greeting locals, summer residents, and tourists, alike, with her megawatt smile and signature dimples. Sydney Butler, the MacDonalds’ devoted employee of nearly two decades, moves nimbly through the restaurant, coffee pot in hand, ensuring that every guest is well attended to. Meanwhile, Dave works indefatigably on the line, whether he is preparing their famous eggs benedict, crafting an Italian sub, or expertly handling the pizza oven.

Butler shared how she holds a deep sense of loyalty, admiration, and gratitude for Pegtown—a remarkable testament to the nurturing and supportive environment that the MacDonalds have created.

“I’ve been at Pegtown somewhere between 15 to 16 years. I absolutely love my job. I love the people that come in there. It’s really easy to serve food that you’re proud to hand out. Dave is the easiest guy to work for. Mary is very organized and detail oriented,” Butler said. “I really don’t have to worry about too much other than serving good food. I really hope Dave and Mary keep the restaurant for a while longer. I’m not quite ready to retire yet, and I don’t think I want to work for anybody else. It would be really hard to go somewhere and not have the intimacy we do with our customers. I have people come in the door that I haven’t seen in six months with their arms open for hugs. And trying to serve food somewhere else—that maybe isn’t the quality of what we have at Pegtown—would be really hard. Also, at the end of the day, I don’t think anybody else does better than what they do, and I’m just blessed to be a part of that.”

Michael Ward, a Leelanau County resident, recently shared his lived experience as a Pegtown devotee.

“Other than good food, I feel Pegtown offers a great spot to relax over a meal, whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner. What draws me there is also the wait staff. They are always so friendly and welcoming—you feel like you’re entering their home. The small-town feel you get at Pegtown is what I really love,” Ward said.

Similarly, Rosemary Egan of Glen Arbor, reflected on how she and her husband, Tom, value the ability to depend on Pegtown for their consistently great pizza and other culinary offerings.

“We love Pegtown! Our fave dish is their pizza. The crust is homemade every day and delicious! We like that it’s available for carryout. It’s ready quickly without sacrificing quality. Their Italian salad is full of pepperoni, mozzarella, peppers—it’s almost an antipasto. Breakfast is delicious and very hearty.

“Mary and Dave–congratulations on 20 years of providing healthy and delicious food and such a cheerful atmosphere!” Egan enthused.

Pegtown is also very much kid-friendly, as demonstrated by Maple City resident Raquel Jackson’s experience there with her young son, Leo, a few weeks ago.

“It was a random weekday afternoon—after Labor Day, when you’re not sure what’s open for service, if at all. I took my 16-month-old son out for lunch and we super enjoyed sharing the ‘Station Burger’ and fries. It totally hit the spot, and did not disappoint. Thanks for being open, Pegtown—a countryside staple for many locals and visitors alike,” Jackson said.

With deep roots in the Leelanau County hospitality industry, the MacDonalds brought a wealth of experience to their roles as restaurant owners. Dave has worked at numerous local culinary establishments throughout his career, most notably as kitchen manager for Woody’s Settling Inn in Northport as well as Hattie’s in Suttons Bay. Mary has forged a path of her own in the restaurant business, working at such familiar places as the Bluebird in Leland as well as the Boone’s Prime Time in Suttons Bay, her hometown.

Those formative years gave them both an invaluable education in hospitality, allowing the MacDonalds to hone the skills and knowledge that would later contribute to the success of Pegtown.

Pegtown had already been in existence when the MacDonalds purchased the restaurant from Joann and Matt Benjamin. They kept the name, as well as most of the menu. Through the years their offerings have evolved and expanded.

At the time when they acquired Pegtown, Dave was working as the manager at the Early Bird in Leland, and Mary was working at Boone’s Prime Time in Suttons Bay. And their son, Stuart, was just one and a half years old.

Though the MacDonalds were not seeking to own a business 20 years ago, fate had other plans when they most fortuitously stumbled upon Pegtown. What the MacDonalds found was more than just a small diner; they inherited a venerable institution with rich history and charm—a veritable haven tucked away in the heart of the county. It is something that the MacDonalds that have since nurtured and built upon.

“We weren’t really looking at owning our place. One day, Dave saw the for-sale sign and thought this might be a great opportunity for us since it was just a block from our home. Stuart was a year and a half when we bought it,” Mary related.

Maple City was first settled in 1866 by J.T. Sturvtevant and his son, who built a factory that made wooden shoe pegs. It was originally called “Peg Town,” but was later changed to “Maple City” when its post office was established. A small hotel and a sawmill were built. The mill was later sold and converted to the production of wooden bowls, handles for brooms and pitchforks, shingles, and wooden flooring. The peg factory operated until 1880 when it burned. The mill produced wooden goods until 1916. Maple City maintains the charms of a quaint village, primarily at the behest of the MacDonalds.

Stuart, Mary and Dave’s now 21-year-old son, has played an integral role in burnishing the legacy of Pegtown. He has gracefully, and enthusiastically, contributed to the family business over the years.

While Stuart is not involved in the day-to-day operations, he has stepped in to assist his parents when needed, most notably during the COVID pandemic. At the height of the crisis when small businesses, especially restaurants, were hit hard, Stuart helped his parents navigate the overwhelming challenges. One memorable moment from that time came when the phones were ringing off the hook at Pegtown, and Mary and Dave enlisted Stuart to take orders from customers waiting in their cars on the street—true evidence of the family-driven nature of the business.

Ultimately the story of Pegtown is one about community, great food, and perseverance. It is a place where the conversations are as warm as the meals that are served.