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Long shuttered Empire school ready for rebirth

The Empire schoolhouse may have a second life if owner Joe Van Esley has his way — and gets enough others to buy into his vision. Van Esley and consultant Bruce Johnston hosted a presentation on their plans for the landmark building at a community meeting on Feb. 4, followed by a shorter presentation that evening to the Empire Planning Commission. They mapped out an ambitious plan to restore the long-empty schoolhouse to provide opportunities for various retail, office, restaurant and/or community space. “We’re looking for input,” said Johnston. His firm, Revitalize Inc., is working on the ambitious plans with Van Esley to modernize the building without changing its basic configuration in what they call a historic revitalization project.

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Empire pillar, historian Dave Taghon stood in a class by himself

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The sudden death of Dave Taghon on Jan. 3 struck family and friends from far and wide. Despite the fact he spent most of his life in Empire, Taghon’s influence spread far beyond the little village. He was a ready source of information about the area’s history, but more importantly, a vital part of its present and presence through his work on the village council, at his church, with the local Lions Club, and at his family’s gas station for nearly 40 years.

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Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate celebrates 20 years with a birthday bash

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Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate, renowned for its ethically sourced, craft chocolate confections and gelato, is thrilled to announce its 20th birthday party on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 11 am-5 pm at the chocolate shop in quaint Empire. All are welcome to join in this milestone event honoring two decades of Grocer’s Daughter’s favorite things; delicious, ethically sourced chocolate and a wonderful community of friends from around the globe.

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Empire continues master plan addendum work

A series of surveys and public meetings this summer in Empire has been followed by joint sessions of the village council and the village planning commission. The task: to involve interested parties in the creation of an update to the village’s master plan, to set it up for the next five years and potentially beyond. While master plans are used to provide long-term vision and guidance, it is necessary to update them as circumstances change, whether that is area business, housing, land use, utilities, or transportation.

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Empire seeks input for Master Plan

The Village of Empire is updating their Master Plan, a long-term policy document that sets goals for how the Village of Empire will develop in the next 5-10 years. It is used by elected officials, staff, residents, and others to guide decision-making about how land is used, where new development occurs, where and when new infrastructure is provided in the Village, how streets are designed for different types of transportation, and more. The Village is releasing a community questionnaire to gauge what the community thinks about the Village currently and in the future. The questionnaire is available online or in print and will be open through August 11.

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Black bear enters Empire chocolate shop, devours bag of sugar

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A black bear has visited Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate in Empire on five consecutive evenings this week, rummaged through a dumpster and spreading garbage around the village, and pulling open the back door and devouring a 50-pound bag of sugar. On Tuesday night, April 16, around 10:30 pm, the bear entered the beloved chocolate shop for no more than 20 seconds, stole the sugar and returned to the sidewalk to eat it. It touched nothing else in the shop, not even the small, chocolate bears on display by the checkout counter.

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Winter swimming in Lake Michigan

On the first Sunday in January, I pull into the Empire Village Beach parking lot to meet 10 neighbors for a swim. The air temperature is 35 degrees Fahrenheit; Lake Michigan is 37 degrees. The group is made up almost entirely of women with members spanning in age from their early 30s to 70 years old. Most of the people present this first Sunday in January, myself included, have been meeting once or twice weekly for cold water swims since October. Winter swimming, also called cold dipping or polar plunging, is an umbrella term for various ways of submerging in cold water. For this group of brave locals, cold dipping involves a measured entrance into Lake Michigan, partnered with calm breathing. Participants spend 3-5 minutes in the water up to their shoulders, often wearing neoprene booties and gloves to fight against numbness in their extremities. Most of us wear winter hats on our heads and do not go under, though a few brave souls will wear swimming caps and plunge their entire bodies under the waves.

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Empire hosts Artisan Marketplace

On Saturday, Nov. 25, Empire is making spirits bright this season by offering three locations to find handcrafted gifts from local artisans. The Empire Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the Artisan Marketplace featuring 20 artisans at the Empire Town Hall from 10 am-4 pm. In addition to the beautiful items available, customers will also be able to have a delicious snack or lunch prepared by local chefs, Mel and Fel.

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Anchor Day returns to Empire

Empire celebrates Anchor Day each year on the third Saturday in July—this year on July 15—with a parade down Front Street, a pop-up book sale at the library, a chicken dinner at the town hall, and an evening street dance with live music. The party is now sponsored by The Empire Area Community Center. This unique, small-town celebration commemorates the raising of an anchor from the depths of Lake Michigan in July 1977.

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Field Trip anyone?

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A new gift shop opened in Empire last month. Field Trip, offering home goods and apparel, is located on M-22 on the north end of Empire, across the street from Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate. The store carries products from local artisans as well as artisans from around the world. What the items have in common is that they are modern, fun, and unique pieces to add a pop of color and joy to any space. The owners, Trey and Lauren Springer, are a young couple in their early-30s who moved to the area unexpectedly at the beginning of the pandemic.

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