Youth movement highlights Glen Arbor businesses
Photo: Lizzie Morgan-Gray (left) and Laurenn Rudd (right) acquired Cottonseed Apparel from Marc and Diana Oberschulte on May 12.
By Norm Wheeler
Sun editor
“For the times, they are a-changin’” Bob Dylan
The business dynamic in Glen Arbor is in flux. A recent walk from one end of town to the other to ask “What’s the buzz?” took four hours because so much is happening. Both facts and rumors abound. And it’s the youthful energy of several newer business owners that is leading the transition.
Laurenn Rudd and Lizzie Morgan-Gray are the new owners of Cottonseed Apparel. They closed the deal with the Oberschultes on May 12. Laurenn started working there in 2005, moved to New York City for two years, and then returned to be the manager. Lizzie has been working there for eight years.
“I’ve always loved it,” says Laurenn, “When Lizzie started she expected it to be only a summer job. She had a degree in Anthropology and Biology, but she fell in love with fashion. We became close by being managers together, and then started wondering if maybe we could buy it. Oberschultes talked to us last fall about the idea, so we started negotiating.”
The two now own Cottonseed 50/50. “We absolutely love working in Glen Arbor,” Laurenn continues. “We love this business they built, and we intend to carry on the legacy and the brands while also making it our own. We have the best customers and the best staff. For a seasonal place we have great retention. This is such a great space to work in.” For now, there are no plans for major changes, but “we’ll see at the end of the year when things slow down and we have time to draft some goals.” Laurenn and Lizzie plan to stay open through the holidays, and will have the end-of-season sale in October as usual. “We’d like to be part of the pajama party at Thanksgiving, too!” (Visit their website at CottonseedApparel.com)
Bella and Zach Pryor, with the help of their parents Deanna and Scott, now have two shops in Glen Arbor. They continue to operate their Northern Roots location on the corner of the deck at Boonedocks, and they are also moving into the new place, called Copper, in Georgia Gietzen’s former Northwoods Home & Gifts location next to the Leelanau Coffee Roasters and across from Bear Paw Pizza & Market.
“We will feature more of Scott’s designs there,” says Deanna, “and we’ll try to figure out how quickly the kids can run back and forth between the two shops!” Click on our website to read our Aug. 2, 2020, story about Bella and Zach, “Five Years After the Storm: Making Positive Out of Negative.” (Visit on the web at NorthernRootsMichigan.com)
Ken Schwaiger, another of the young faces in Glen Arbor, continues to manage The Totem Shop. He started working there when he was 14, and after Doug and Tonya Thomas bought it from Oberschulte’s in 2010, they made Ken the manager in 2013. Ken says they’re gonna keep on keepin’ on. (Visit online at TheTotemShop.com)
Cady Hall and Cos Burrows, who took over the Good Harbor Grill in 2018, continue to expand with new starters and sides. They busted out their new menu Saturday with the addition of wheat berry salad and avocado corn salsa, and new appetizers including bruschetta, shrimp cocktail, and crab cakes. See the story at glenarborsun.com/Handing the Good Harbor Grill over to the next generation. (Visit online at GoodHarborGrill.com)
Matt and Katy Wiesen continue to keep things busy on the east side of town at the Crystal River Outfitter’s Recreational District. They will host yoga on Wednesdays this summer, as well as kid’s art classes on Thursdays from 10-12. The Wine Bar has music on Saturdays until mid-June, and then expands to Tuesdays and Thursdays as well. You can enjoy a glass of wine while listening to The Duges, Andre Villoch, Dennis Palmer, or Blake Elliott. (Visit CrystalRiverOutfitters.com)
Riverfront Pizza & Specialties is for sale and negotiations are afoot, but business will proceed as usual through the fall. The Glen Arbor Sun will report on developments as they unfold. (Visit RiverfrontPizza.com)
There are new developments regarding the former Wildflowers property that was purchased by Pete Faber next to Northwoods Hardware, as well as breaking news about the Sylvan Inn and the Lakeshore Motel. Stay tuned for details as they emerge. And Randy and Mary Chamberlain report that Blu, temporarily closed after the fire at LeBear Resort, is hoping to resume normal operations in a couple of weeks as the investigation of the fire wraps up and restoration of the utilities can proceed. (Visit GlenArborBlu.com).
