Worried about the viability of this aging community without its long-term doctor and without a prescription shop, the Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce took the proactive step in late April of circulating an email that explored whether it should go out and recruit a new, young doctor to Glen Arbor. But the response from Chamber members was resounding: there was no need—for an energetic and dynamic young doctor had just arrived in Empire.
Glen Arbor and the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore area enjoyed an economic and tourism boom in the mid-1990s, and now the businesses borne of that boom are coming of age. Brad Anderson was a youthful 27 years old when he bought Steffens IGA in 1994 from Bill and Jan Heston and renamed it Anderson’s Market. Bit by bit he updated the interior and modernized the inventory, but not until this year did the grocery store in the heart of Glen Arbor get a complete facelift.
Ruth Conklin Gallery, Glen Arbor, is celebrating a decade of Sticks trunk shows Wednesday, August 3 through Friday, August 5, with guest artist Sarah Grant, Sticks creator/owner, and design staff from Des Moines.
Over the past 20 years, Greg and Wanda Sobran of Sobran Studios, have become fixtures of the Glen Arbor arts scene — if two inveterate, peripatetic adventurers could be described in such stationary terms.
For over 25 years the Ruth Conklin Gallery, nestled in the beautiful village of Glen Arbor, Michigan, has brought the natural beauty of the shores of Lake Michigan to life through exquisite artwork and handcrafted pieces created by over one hundred talented artists. Owner Ruth Conklin – an accomplished artist herself – delights in exploring, capturing and exhibiting the essence of the northern Michigan lifestyle in her gallery.
Entering the Sobran gallery on the west side of Glen Arbor one is offered a feast for the eye. There one comes face to face with impressionistic paintings of local scenery marked by their brilliant colors. Tropical Key West and images from France and Italy also adorn the walls or are found stacked on a table.