Summer is here, and for three Lake Leelanau beverage-centric businesses, it’s been worth the wait. The owners of Northern Latitudes, Locals Lake Leelanau and Peninsula Provisions all say things are looking good. Northern Latitudes opened the doors of its new facility last October. Mark Moseler, who owns the business with his wife Mandy, says the project took longer than anticipated, but that’s invariably the case.
Throughout the week, 5Loaves2Fish travels around the area, serving meals in Traverse City, Suttons Bay, Lake Leelanau, Northport and Leland. “We meet people where they’re at,” said co-founder Michelle White. And it’s Josh Miller, the executive chef of the operation, who is tasked with cooking the meals. “He’s for sure a chef,” said Bill. “Executive is a bit fancy.” Sometimes, Bill continued, cooking at 5Loaves2Fish can be a “wild card. Fifty people will show up to Veteran’s Park one day, and the next 70 will come.” “So, we set up for 80,” said Miller. “We bring the extra food back or send it somewhere else.”
The wait is over in Lake Leelanau. Northern Latitudes Distillery will hold its long-awaited grand opening at its new location on M-204, just east of the village of Lake Leelanau, on Friday, Oct. 24, from 12-7 pm. Northern Latitudes staff invite the public to “come raise a glass in our beautiful new space—built for friends, community, and great spirits.” “We’re elated. It’s so much fun to be able to finally share this place with everybody,” said co-owner Mandy Moseler. “We’ve been working so hard for so long.”
The Suttons Bay Chamber of Commerce will host the annual Artisan & Wine Walk, A Toast to Suttons Bay on Friday, June 16. Patrons will enjoy extended hours from 5-8 pm at participating shops that will also feature a local artisan along with their work. Art will be available for purchase, and some artists will be demonstrating their craft in person.
Northern Latitudes, the popular distillery in Lake Leelanau, will soon open a second location in downtown Suttons Bay, in the space previously occupied by Bayside Coffee & Tea—possibly at the end of July. Amidst training 10 new employees and running the Lake Leelanau distillery, co-owner Mandy Moseler shared with the Sun why she’s excited to open in Suttons Bay.
Businesses throughout Leelanau County had to adapt on the fly when the Coronavirus arrived and commerce shut down in March. Northern Latitudes Distillery in Lake Leelanau not only retooled their business and retail space, owners Mandy and Mark Moseler prioritized making hand sanitizer—a biproduct of the distillery’s spirits—and supplied it free of charge to essential workers and those on the frontlines in the battle against COVID-19, including first responders, schools, home health care nurses, homeless shelters, medical care facilities, churches and food pantries. We talked to the Moselers about this crazy year, and how they got through it.
When I drove into the town of Lake Leelanau this time, I tried to think about it more from a discovery perspective rather than take it for granted as I always do. It’s a town I visit for specific destinations, or on my way through, but I don’t often plant my feet and take my time.