Sunday, August 26, 2007
By Bill O'Brien
Business editor
On public subsidies and downtown TC
Traverse City Mayor pro tem Scott Hardy recently penned a "primer” on local government and regional economy for the local chamber of commerce's newsletter. Hardy's premise leaves one thankful that while some Traverse City voters may have been born at night, it wasn't last night.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Friday, August 24, 2007
-
In today's print edition: The Gas Man: Still riding the roller coaster
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael Stump
Samuel’s server Sara Cuson serves lunch to Lisa Bajorek, not pictured, of Beverly Hills, during a meal with Ron Bajorek and Gary Kenez of Lathrup Village, right.
IN BUSINESS: SAMUEL'S
Something new at the table
SUTTONS BAY — Sam Hybels grew up in Kalamazoo in a family of self-proclaimed "foodies.” So it was no big surprise when the graduate of the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute opened his own restaurant, Samuel's, four years ago.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
No local or regional business news today
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Record-Eagle/Douglas Tesner
Kurt Fischer studies plans and color designs for the the Catch Island Grill restaurant on Park Street.
DOWNTOWN TRAVERSE CITY
New eateries eye openings
Kurt Fischer's Catch Island Grill in the former Pete's Pub & Grille building at 120 Park St. is scheduled to open in early October. It joins the new Red Ginger restaurant — located in the former Kurtz Music store at 237 E. Front St. — that is slated to open in mid-October under owners Dan and Pam Marsh.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Friday, August 17, 2007
Record-Eagle/Tyler Sipe
The new Turtle Creek Casino along M-72 in Whitewater Township is taking shape. The $80 million, seven-story casino resort operated by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians will include 137 guest rooms, a 54,000-square-foot gaming floor and a concert and entertainment venue. It’s scheduled to open next June.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Record-Eagle/Douglas Tesner
Suza Barrera owns By the Bay Scrapbooking in downtown Suttons Bay.
IN BUSINESS: BY THE BAY
A haven just for scrapbookers
SUTTONS BAY — Suza Barrera's first venture into scrapbooking took place in 1995 when she decided to create an album commemorating her nuptials with husband Joe. "Ironically, I still haven't finished it,” the owner of By the Bay Scrapbooking said with a laugh. Barrera's been busy filling her shop, located downtown on M-22, or St. Joseph Street, with all sorts of items to interest scrapbookers.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Record-Eagle/Tyler Sipe
Sam Faught carries flowers from a PeeGee hydrangea tree that will be used for a flower arrangement at his mom’s business, Omena Cut Flowers, located off Omena Bay north of Suttons Bay.
Monday, August 13, 2007
No local or regional business news today
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Record-Eagle/
Jan-Michael Stump
Ariana Wallace, of Pittsburgh, jumps Clitschko in the High Junior/ Amateur Jumper on the first day of Horse Shows by the Bay.
THE NEIGHS HAVE IT
Horse Shows by the Bay
kicks up rave reviews
ACME — Horse Shows by the Bay rode off into the sunset after a successful debut at its new grounds, and organizers expect the show will continue to grow both in popularity and in its economic clout in the area.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
-
In today's print edition: The Gas Man: The ups and downs of state road taxes
Friday, August 10, 2007
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Record-Eagle/Douglas Tesner
Sandy Van Dyke says she opened The Little Black Dress & Necessities on Cass Street two years ago to help female baby boomers find clothes that make them feel great.
IN BUSINESS: THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS
Boomers: A 'forgotten market'
TRAVERSE CITY — When it comes to women's clothing, Traverse City entrepreneur Sandy Van Dyke says female baby boomers are a forgotten market. "Everything is designed for juniors,” said Van Dyke, who opened her comfortable clothing shop, The Little Black Dress & Necessities, last year.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Monday, August 6, 2007
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Record-Eagle/Douglas Tesner
The LochenHeath golf and residential complex in Acme.
ACME
Golf course and residential complex faces lawsuit
ACME — Developers of LochenHeath golf and residential complex face a federal lawsuit over property deals, and recently squared away more than $1 million in construction liens, but said work continues at their Acme Township site.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Record-Eagle/Tyler Sipe
Feliciadad Holmes, of Benedict, Md,. browses kitchen products outside Peppercorn during Friday's Downtown Traverse City Street Sale — an annual event since the 1960s.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Record-Eagle/Tyler Sipe
John Augustine, chief investment strategist for Fifth Third Asset Management, addresses attendees of a Wednesday luncheon at the Traverse City Golf & Country Club.
INVESTMENT TALK
Analyst takes stock of economy
TRAVERSE CITY — Investors don't need reality TV. Watching the roller-coaster ride of the stock market in recent weeks created plenty of suspense and anxiety, a top investment expert from Fifth Third Bank said. Troubles in the housing market, a crunch in corporate lending and soaring worldwide oil prices make it a volatile time for investors and the market likely won't calm down anytime soon, said John Augustine, who spoke to a local group Wednesday.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Record-Eagle/Joanie Moore
Jason Fink, son of Uniquely North owners Rollie and Brenda Fink, helps his parents run the store in downtown Bellaire.
IN BUSINESS: UNIQUELY NORTH
A store for the
'Up North' lifestyle
BELLAIRE — Whether your idea of northern living is a one-room cottage on a placid little lake or a six-bedroom summer palace in Bay Harbor, there's a family-run shop in Antrim County that can help you achieve an "Up North” lifestyle.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Record-Eagle/Tyler Sipe
Right mirror, Janice Binkert of Traverse City has her hair cut and styled by hair stylist Deidre Reimer at the recently opened Salone de Capelli located in Building 50 at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons.
VILLAGE GREEN
List of local businesses
growing at Commons
TRAVERSE CITY — A surge of recently opened or soon-to-open shops in The Village at Grand Traverse Commons include a bakery, winery, clothing store, a massive salon, an art gallery and a specialty food store. For project developers The Minervini Group, it's just the commercial mix they've sought as they continue to pursue a goal of creating a walkable, European village-style development centered around Building 50.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Record-Eagle/Douglas Tesner
The Fosdick family owns and operates Northwoods Soda & Syrup in Williamsburg and is known for their “Wild Bill Draft Root Beer” and other soda products. From left are David, Tracy, Bill, Maureen, 1-year-old Page and Soda the family dog.
IN BUSINESS: NORTHWOODS SODA & SYRUP
Family enjoys flavor of success
TRAVERSE CITY — Success indeed has been sweet for the Fosdick family. They own and operate Northwoods Soda & Syrup, which supplies handcrafted soft drinks, juices and beverage mixes to retail outlets across much of Michigan and part of Wisconsin from their 12-acre location in Williamsburg.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Record-Eagle/Bill O'Brien
Kerry Smith, left, stands with Matt Hughey in front of the construction site of Wilderness Crossings, a new bowling alley and family recreation center in Blair Township.
Blair to get bowling alley, shooting range
TRAVERSE CITY — Kerry Smith spent much of his career developing bowling alleys for others. Now he's building one to call his own. Construction is underway on Wilderness Crossings, a $3.5 million project between U.S. 31 and Curtis Road in Blair Township billed by Smith as a "family entertainment center.”
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Friday, July 20, 2007
Record-Eagle/Douglas Tesner
Demolition of the former Sloppy Joe's bar on East Front Street in Traverse City was completed this week. Owners Art and Michelle Wyzgowski said there are no immediate development plans but the land might be used for expansion of McDonald's if a re-development plan for the restaurant is worked out with the city, or it may be leased for another commercial use.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
The Associated Press
Joe Herman, 52, who co-owns Karma Vista Vineyards and Winery with his wife, Sue, looks over his new plantings in Coloma Township. About half of the new grape plants are of the Pinot Gris variety and the other half are of the Syrah variety.
WINE OUTLOOK
Group aims to expand industry
COLOMA TOWNSHIP (AP) — Passing through some areas of extreme southwestern Michigan, it's easy for travelers to forget — briefly, at least — that they're not in California's Napa Valley or the Tuscany region of Italy.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Record-Eagle/
Douglas Tesner
Stewart- Zacks, at 118 E. Front St., is in the heart of the downtown district.
IN BUSINESS: STEWART-ZACKS
A downtown tradition continues
TRAVERSE CITY — Lynn and David Starkey bought Stewart-Zacks last year, and it didn't take long for the new owners to become aware of the home décor store's important role. "We were aware very early about the history of this place,” said Lynn Starkey. "People came in and thanked us for staying open.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Monday, July 16, 2007
Sunday, July 15, 2007
By Bill O'Brien
Business editor
Big festivals: What's in it for the locals?
It's a debate that's gone on since the National Cherry Festival was just a small-town celebration spread over a few days: Is the festival good for local business? Two schools of thought shape the argument. One says the festival helps the area by bringing thousands of visitors to town and creating wide acclaim through various media outlets. Others think the festival leaves little disposable cash for the rest of the community at a time when thousands of tourists would be here anyway.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
CHERRIES
Sweet season turns tart
SUTTONS BAY — The region's tart cherry harvest is ramping up, just as the National Cherry Festival winds down.
Friday, July 13, 2007
- In today's print edition: The Gas Man follows the oil money trail
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Record-Eagle/Douglas Tesner
Scott Alpers aboard his charter fishing boat, the Big Kahuna.
IN BUSINESS: BIG KAHUNA CHARTERS
TC man charts his own course
TRAVERSE CITY — For almost two decades, Scott Alpers has been able to overcome a serious physical ailment to build a charter boat business and pursue his love of fishing.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Monday, July 9, 2007
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Record-Eagle/Tyler Sipe
Stephanie Slawnik and her 3-year-old son Charlie Slawnik leave Oryana after buying lunch.
KEEPING PACE WITH DEMAND
Oryana's growth reflects public's taste in food
TRAVERSE CITY — Shoppers bustle in, then leave with full grocery carts, while a crowd gathers at the lunch counter, marking another busy day at a burgeoning market at 10th and Lake streets. Oryana Food Cooperative has never looked better to customers looking for natural foods.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Record-Eagle/Douglas Tesner
Hannah Roberts prepares a sample drink at Cherry Republic’s new juice bar that opened downtown last week at 150 E. Front St. just in time for the Cherry Festival. The juice bar is two doors down from its new retail store, which opened in early June. The store is owned by Bob Sutherland, who opened the first Cherry Republic outlet in Glen Arbor in 2004.
Friday, July 6, 2007
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Record-Eagle/Douglas Tesner
Buck Montgomery in Rooted to Nature, a natural fiber clothing store at 11672 U.S. 31 South near Elk Rapids. He and his wife, Cathy, run the store.
IN BUSINESS: ROOTED TO NATURE
Family business a natural fit
ELK RAPIDS — When Buck and Cathy Montgomery decided to launch a business with their nephew Nick Cassell, all three agreed the enterprise must be driven by two key philosophies. "We wanted it to be a fun business and we wanted do something that was good for mankind, good for the environment,” said Buck Montgomery.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Monday, July 2, 2007
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Record-Eagle/Bill O'Brien
Tom Gustafson's gas station and general store is a stop-off point in Brevort along U.S. 2 around 20 miles west of the Mackinac Bridge.
BIG MAC AT 50
Span opened up U.P. commerce
BREVORT — Folks who've carved out a living north of the Straits said the bridge opening 50 years ago altered the face of regional business and commerce, changes that continue to this day.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Friday, June 29, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Record-Eagle/Douglas Tesner
Fine Fabric & Design owner Debbie Alton says her customers are her most important asset.
IN BUSINESS: FINE FABRIC & DESIGN
Affordable couture quality
TRAVERSE CITY — Whether it's a flustered bride-to-be selecting the just-right silk for her wedding dress or a teen in turmoil searching for the coolest color for a prom dress, Debbie Alton can help. A Lansing native who moved to northern Michigan in 1981, Alton owns Fine Fabric & Design, a 3,000-square-foot shop that provides fine fabrics at affordable prices.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
AP Photo
Madonna's father, Tony Ciccone, has devel- oped five kinds of Madonna wines — Pinot Noir, Gewurz- traminer, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Grigio Am- brato, and Chard- onnay.
WINE
Take home a bottle of Madonna
BAY CITY (AP) — Madonna is most notably recognized through a pair of headphones. But now the Bay City native also can be identified through a wine glass. The Material Girl's father, Tony Ciccone, recently decided to advance his winery business by releasing Madonna Wine, available in five varieties.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Sunday, June 24, 2007
By Bill O'Brien
Business editor
For a healthy future, let's look to the past
One of the unique things about the Straits of Mackinac is the history that oozes from the region. Driving north along U.S. 31, the transformation begins north of Petoskey, where stately historic homes take visitors back to another era. A string of mom-and-pop shops, motels and eateries dot the major roads, where a wayfarer can sit with locals and talk about how things have changed and how they've stayed the same. The problem with other parts of northern Michigan is that so many community "leaders” think nothing important ever happened until they got here. Their goal seems to be making this area more like the places they came from.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Friday, June 22, 2007
Record-Eagle/Tyler Sipe
Matt Blakely, a bartender at the new Kilkenny's Irish Public House, grooms the felt surface of a pool table Wednesday afternoon in Traverse City. Kilkenny's Irish Public House will have its grand opening at 7 tonight in the lower level of the North Peak Brewery Building at the corner of West Front Street on Hall Street. The restaurant sells an assortment of beers and several Irish food items.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Record-Eagle/ Bill O'Brien
Construction continues this week on the third and final phase of the estimated $12 million marina renovation for the city of Charlevoix. City officials said the new floating docks should be available for boaters sometime in early July. Work on the rest of the city's East Park is scheduled for completion by next summer. Hallmark Construction Co. of Traverse City is the general contractor for the last phase of the project.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael Stump
Jacques Julin works on the axle of a truck at TC Family Auto Care. The shop opened in January on Stepke Court, just off of U.S. 31 near Chum’s Corner.
IN BUSINESS: TC FAMILY AUTO
They aim to treat you like family
TRAVERSE CITY — Bill Matthews says he's not in the car repair business, despite more than three decades of automotive experience. "We're in the people business,” said Matthews, who teamed up with his son Ken to open TC Family Auto Care in January.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Monday, June 18, 2007
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Record-Eagle/Douglas Tesner
Sean O’Keefe checks on one of the wines being produced at Chateau Grand Traverse.
HERE'S TO GROWTH
Winery climbs ladder of success, looks to conquer
MAPLETON — With acres of scenic vineyards and West Grand Traverse Bay as a backdrop, it might appear that Eddie O'Keefe sits atop the world as his family's Chateau Grand Traverse winery enjoys record production and a burgeoning list of awards. But the way he sees it, they're only at the first step of the ladder.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Grand Traverse Resort & Spa
The sun sets over East Bay through windows of the Aerie Restaurant on the 16th floor of the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa tower.
Old Trillium is new 'Aerie'
ACME — Aerie is the name of the newly renovated and now open restaurant on top of the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa tower.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Record-Eagle/
Jan-Michael Stump
Rick Stein was awarded the Lyle DeYoung Downtown Achieve- ment Award for his service.
LYLE DEYOUNG ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Stein honored for work
TRAVERSE CITY - Developers withdrew their application for a fiercely contested subdivision on Arbutus Lake, but opponents said the battle is far from over.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Record-Eagle/Douglas Tesner
Gallery 31, owned and operated by Holly Nelson, features the works of 17 Michigan artists, including Nelson’s photography. The gallery also offers custom framing.
IN BUSINESS: GALLERY 31
A dream develops into reality
HONOR — Holly Nelson discovered her passion for photography during a summer program in 1997, and less than a decade later turned her dream of owning and operating a fine-arts gallery into reality.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
French Manor Inn 'not in foreclosure'
TRAVERSE CITY — Trish Gilroy wants to set the record straight. "I want people to know that I am not in foreclosure,” she said. "We provide quality services here and I am not going out of business.” The owner of Traverse City's French Manor Inn was in U.S. Bankruptcy Court Friday after a local attorney served eviction notices to all 26 residents at the assisted-living home.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael Stump
Bob and Jon Plummer stand in a new processing plant being built by Moomers Homemade Ice Cream to expand its product line to include milk. The store is in its 10th summer of scooping ice cream.
A TASTY TREAT
Moomers keeps dishing it out
TRAVERSE CITY — It's perhaps the ultimate testament to Bob and Nancy Plummer's business success that most of their customers don't call them by name: they're simply known as "Mr. and Mrs. Moomer.”
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Friday, June 8, 2007
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael Stump
baabaaZuzu owner Sue Burns sits in a pile of wool sweaters and jackets. The Lake Leelanau store gets about about a ton of wool clothing a month to turn into items such as hats, gloves, scarves, bags and jackets.
IN BUSINESS: BAABAAZUZU
When old becomes new again
LAKE LEELANAU — Sue Burns took a clothing calamity and turned it into a business opportunity. In 1994, her husband Kevin was doing laundry and shrank two of her wool sweaters. Rather than throw them out, Burns used the sweaters to make jackets for her two daughters. Soon after, friends saw them and started asking her for similar jackets.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Record-Eagle/Douglas Tesner
A Team Elmer’s crew removes blacktop, bricks and old road on Front Street in Traverse City in preparation for laying a water main for a sprinkler system being installed for the new Ginger restaurant going up in the building next to the State Theatre. Dan and Pam Marsh own the restaurant. Eventually the main could supply water to the State Theatre once a sprinkler system is installed.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Detroit is vital to state's health By Bill O'Brien
MACKINAC ISLAND — Each spring, for 20-plus years, many of Detroit's top business and political leaders have gathered on Mackinac Island to brainstorm about improving the state's largest city on issues ranging from health care to politics to race relations. What's that mean for northern Michigan? Plenty.
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Friday, June 1, 2007
Record-Eagle/Douglas Tesner
An excavator begins demolition work Thursday in the alley behind the former Grand Traverse Auto dealership at 124 W. Front St. Federated Properties plans a three-story building at the site. Crews are expected to demolish the former dealership and remove the remainder of the foundation in early July, according to a time line submitted to the city. Federated also plans a larger project on the other side of West Front that could feature public parking. The Grand Traverse County demolition permit is valid for 180 days.
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