Every year on the Fourth of July at 10 am, groups gather to read the Declaration of Independence at each Post Office in Leelanau County. These videos feature readings of the Declaration at Post Offices in Glen Arbor and Empire on July 4, 2026—the semiquincentennial, or 250th anniversary of the nation’s birth.
Each year the Empire Asparagus Festival crowns winners of its poetry and recipe contests. This year’s poetry winner is Joseph Povolo for his poem “High on Asparagus.” The recipe contest staff published a booklet (click here to view it) which contains recipes submitted by participants in this year’s contest. Together they reflect the creativity of our community—from classic appetizers and salads to unexpected uses for one of Michigan’s favorite spring vegetables.
“Come on in,” says Paul Skinner as he opens the door at the Miser’s Hoard. “Don’t mind them. Hush,” he says to Brandi and Gizmo, the Shih Tzu security team. The tall, ungainly building on Front Street in Empire is home to the two tiny guard dogs, Paul and Shelly Skinner, and the Miser’s Hoard, their catch-all store which sells an eclectic mix of gifts, jewelry, furnishings, accessories and antiques—which celebrates 25 years of operation in Empire this year. And more than that, if you want to know the truth. It’s also the headquarters for the Empire Asparagus Festival and the Empire Hill Climb, both of which Paul oversees. That’s quite a bit for one place in the diminutive village in the southwestern corner of Leelanau County. But the Skinners make it work.
Empire’s quirky, fun, day-long Asparagus Festival returns to Leelanau County on Saturday, June 6. The day of peace, music and food offers something for everyone in the family. Events include the Kick-Yer Ass-paragus 5K Fun Run/Walk at Empire’s public beach at 10 am; a pop-up book sale at the Glen Lake Community Library from 11 am-3 pm; a recipe contest in the Township Hall at noon (click on the story for a link to enter); open hours at the Empire Area Museum from 1-4 pm; the Ode to Asparagus Poetry Contest at the Library at 2 pm (click on the story for a link to enter); an appearance by the Asparagus Queen on Stilts from 2-4 pm, and the Magic Lady Family Magic Show from 3-4 pm.
As of May 15, a new cafe is up and running near Empire. The Dunes Café, located inside the clubhouse of the Dunes Golf Club off of M-72, offers coffee, tea, light food and smoothies. “If it takes off, we’ll get an espresso machine,” said Clayton Morrow, an experienced barista who helped his sister Brittany Morrow open the cafe.
Everything old is new again, as Samaritans’ Closet proves at its store in Lake Leelanau. Which is why it is now opening one in Empire. “It is a successful business model. Everyone loves it,” says Mary Stanton, executive director of Leelanau Christian Neighbors. The faith-based non-profit owns and runs Samaritans’ Closet, which stocks and sells items that are old, vintage, pre-loved, used—pick one. Actually, pick two, or three, or as many as you care to. Whether clothing and housewares, furniture and furnishings, art—anything someone wants to part with and that someone else may want can be found at the store. Now the longtime Lake Leelanau store is being joined by a second across the county. The new location is due to host its grand opening May 22 from 2 to 5 p.m. at 11840 S. Lacore Rd. It will then run on the same schedule as the Lake Leelanau store: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and 10-3 p.m. on Saturdays.
The Glen Lake Community Library in Empire will host a series of special events for area students during the week of Spring Break, from March 31 to April 4. Click here to view the library’s planned activities.
Leelanau Christian Neighbors announced today the expansion of its retail operations with a second Samaritans’ Closet thrift store, located in Empire. This new location aims to better serve the residents and visitors of the west side of Leelanau County, providing easier access to affordable goods and a convenient local donation center. LCN has officially signed the lease and is currently in the process of renovating the facility to create a welcoming shopping and donation experience. The organization expects to begin accepting community donations in mid-May. If renovations stay on track, LCN aims to host a grand opening and be fully operational by Memorial Day weekend, providing a fresh shopping destination just in time for the start of the summer season.
As northern Michigan continues to experience a very snowy and cold winter, the Empire Area Community Center (EACC) plans to embrace the elements with the annual Empire Winterfest. Events will be hosted throughout the village of Empire on Saturday, Feb. 21, including the long-standing tradition of a polar plunge in South Bar Lake.
The Lively NeighborFood Market continues its focus on supporting small local farms by inviting area chefs and neighbors to come together around a Farm-to-Table Dinner Series that celebrates the bounty of our region—even in the winter months. On Mondays in January and February the NeighborFood Market is hosting multi-course meals for 26 guests with reservations seated at a beautiful candlelit community table. The guest chefs come from a wide range of backgrounds, but all have strong connections to western Leelanau County.