Matt and Keegan Myers’ M-22 brand is back in the news, but for the wrong reasons. The iconic logo, of course, graces t-shirts, hats, coffee cups, bumper stickers, wine, and other items sold at retail stores in Traverse City and in Glen Arbor. The Myers brothers, who live on Old Mission Peninsula and run the annual M-22 Challenge, have made a killing since trademarking the logo about a decade ago. Sales reached $2 million this year, reports the Wall Street Journal.
Imagine, 800 kayaks lying side by side, end to end in rows on the bank of Little Glen Lake in Glen Arbor. A few yards away, picture 800 bikes hanging in organized racks just off of M-22. Beyond the bikes and across M-22, envision 800 athletes ranging from 14 to 71 years old and hailing from 15 states and countries as far as Switzerland running up the Sleeping Bear Dunes Climb. What you are picturing is the fourth annual M-22 Challenge — which will take place this year on June 9 — and if you’re unfamiliar with where it’s taking place, just know that the athletes will tread on what was named the “Most Beautiful Place in America” by Good Morning America last year.
“M-22 is all about the northern Michigan lifestyle,” an excited Matt Wiesen says while standing behind the wine counter at his and wife Katy’s new apparel store and tasting room in Glen Arbor. “It’s about a glass of wine on the boat, beaches, bonfires and a laid-back attitude.”
With a storefront right on M-22 in downtown Glen Arbor, owners of Crystal River Outfitters, Matt & Katy Wiesen are opening “M-22 at Crystal River Outfitters”. This store will feature the full line of M-22 apparel and accessories, plus a wine-tasting bar.
The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which celebrated its 40th birthday in late October, can almost count the days until work will begin on one of the Park’s biggest achievements — the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail. The project is a 27-mile, multi-use trail that promotes access and safety for bikers, hikers, rollerbladers and wheelchairs