As the March thaw hopefully comes sooner or later, local businesses are grinding their teeth and hanging on for the busy season.
“There is a moment in early March, before the snow fully softens, before the boats return to the marina, and before summer visitors begin mapping out their weekends, when Suttons Bay is at its quietest,” Suttons Bay Chamber of Commerce president and owner of Bayside Gallery Cyndi Millns said.
Businesses are busy hanging on, stretching the ever-devolving dollar to make it to a better time.
“It is also the time of year when local support carries particular weight. A study commissioned by American Express found that approximately 67 cents of every dollar spent at a small business stays within the local community, circulating through payroll, suppliers, rent, and reinvestment. In a village of roughly 600 year-round residents, that circulation matters. Main Street America’s recent research similarly confirms that communities that actively invest in their local business networks experience stronger confidence and greater revenue stability among small business owners.
“In other words, what we do now shapes what we experience later,” Millns said.
Job boards are filling up as employers begin to fill their summer rosters. A job fair in Suttons Bay is coming up, where students will meet with local business owners and learn about open positions to participate in spot interviews.
“The job fair has been very successful in years past, and it is a great way for our students to learn life skills and interact with local businesses,” Millns said.
Millns, who owns Bayside Gallery in Suttons Bay, is now the new UPS drop-off location in Suttons Bay after taking over for Bahle’s.
Packages will be accepted during regular business hours at the register.
Nittolo’s closed
Nittolo’s in Lake Leelanau is no longer, as the Italian restaurant called it quits and moved into a new location in Traverse City in February.
“It was a fabulous five seasons cooking for each and every guest and helping develop what the Nittolo’s brand has become what it is today,” the business said in a Facebook post.
The new restaurant, Nittolo’s Little Italy, is located on Garland Street in Traverse City.
Maple Sugaring Days, March 8 Learn the history of maple sugaring from the Anishinaabe in Port Oneida as Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear guides visitors through the classic sugaring process through time, Saurday, March 8.
A community breakfast will be held from 8 a.m. to noon at The Homestead.
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the main event is at Dechow and Olsen Farms, which is free with a park pass.
End the winter adventure by sampling warm syrup or making maple taffy.
At Dechow, learn the Anishinaabe process of maple sugar, along with the Settler’s open fire process, to the present day. A historic sugar shack is available for a visit.
Step inside the Olsen farmhouse located across the street for the final boiling of sap, sugar making, and hands-on kids’ games.
