Frank Lerchen has big ideas for the space he now owns next to Joe’s Friendly Tavern, his popular restaurant in downtown Empire. Lerchen purchased the building that used to house Deering’s Market late last month from Sue and Phil Deering. Lerchen is installing a septic system and drain field and hopes to build a covered, but open-air Mercato featuring food, cocktails and a permanent farmers market. He hopes to open next May.
From staff reports Tina (Taghon) Dunphey and husband Mark bought Tiffany’s Café in downtown Empire on Sept. 23. Mark teaches at Leelanau St. Mary in Lake Leelanau where their two sons attend school, so Tina will watch over the shop. They plan to be open through the winter on Fridays and Saturdays from 9-6 and […]
The idea of opening a small market in Empire dawned on Mae Stier last spring after Deering’s Market closed. Shuttered was a lifeblood business in this close-knit town. For decades, community members had come to Deering’s to buy food and daily provisions, to cross paths and interact.
Let’s dispel the rumor right away. Deering’s Market in Empire is not closing. It’s 11 a.m. on a Wednesday in July, and Deering’s Market owner Phil Deering is taking chicken out of the fryer, getting things ready for the lunch crowd. The man is working hard. “It’s the way it is,” he comments. “Ya gotta make it in 90 days.” He dumps the chicken into a large metal bin lined with red and white checked paper.