August 2023 Issue

Built to Last: Four new developments that could help address local housing shortages

By Craig Manning

A recent housing needs assessment by Housing North concluded that the 10-county northwest Michigan region – which includes Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee and Wexford counties – will face a housing gap of 8,813 rental units and 22,455 for-sale units within the next five years.

While those numbers indicate that northern Michigan’s housing shortage isn’t going away any time soon, there is at least some silver lining: There is a lot of residential development pending or currently under way in the region. From individual houses to full-fledged subdivisions, and from affordable apartments to luxury condos, …

Honest to Goodness: Inside Honest Hospitality's growing restaurant empire

By Craig Manning

When Honest Hospitality got its start in 2016, with the opening of a modern-day taco shop called Mama Lu’s in downtown Traverse City, Adrienne Brunette says the name of the company was nearly as important to her as all the specifics of the actual restaurant.

“We really wanted to create this hospitality company to make sure that people understood what our values are and why they should work for us,” Brunette said of how she …

Super Food: Local restaurateurs mainstream sustainability practices

By Kierstin Gunsberg

For local restaurateurs, sustainability is not just a conversation, it’s a business model.

Built out from the skeleton of the former Ham Bonz building along Traverse City’s East Eighth Street corridor, Leslie Bilbey and her husband/business partner Josh Gray have renovated the former breakfast hot spot into an equally hopping burger joint, Oakwood Proper Burgers.

During the peak summer months, Bilbey says they easily sling out between 800 and 900 patties a week, along with …

A Tree Grows in Slabtown: Creative reuse means new life for TC trees

By Christal Frost

Nestled on the corner of Carver Street and Woodmere Avenue is a seemingly quiet warehouse. Yet, TC Millworks at lunchtime on a Friday is buzzing with activity.

“There’s nothing like Friday lunches at the mill,” said Tim Pulliam, president of Keen Technical Solutions and one of TC Millworks' new owners.

The warehouse is bustling, and Keen’s Vice President Bob Underhill is in his element – surrounded by generations of Underhill kids, co-workers, carpenters and their …

Data Miner: Former geologist Russell Schindler's data sampling hits the big time

By Kierstin Gunsberg

Hard Cash: Wealth advisors muse on the difficulties – and rewards – of their field

By Rick Haglund

Writing Home: Property descriptions get a boost from DeScribe AI

By Christal Frost

Comfort Food: Employee cafeterias keep everyone happy

By Ross Boissoneau

Little Wonders: Tiny homes in demand, but face zoning difficulties

By Ross Boissoneau

Match Maker: How NMCAA’s IDA funds are empowering local businesses

By Kierstin Gunsberg

Artificial Intelligence and Banking: Five things to know

By Craig Manning

In the Bag: Global polyethylene packaging provider tracks rapid growth

By Clark Miller

Culture Shock: Gallup leadership put forth their ideas for thriving culture and companies

By Chris Wendel

A Proper Drink: Infusing sustainability into the alcohol industry

By Cortney Danbrook

Safe as Houses: Understanding the valuable home sale tax exclusion and your eligibility

By Eric Braund

Through the Grapevine: Exploring the world of buying a winery in Michigan

By Curtis Kuttnauer

Close to Home: Improvements on the horizon for expanded housing availability

By Warren Call

Briefly

NEW OWNER FOR FORMATIVE FITNESS

Downtown Traverse City's Formative Fitness is under new ownership. Owner and founder Sebastian Garbsch recently sold the 15-year-old boutique personal training center to long-time employee Brenden Booth. Garbsch is staying on as co-lead trainer.

LAKEVIEW HILL FARM & MARKET NOW OPEN

Lakeview Hill Farm, a …

By Lynn Geiger

Newsmakers

BANKING & FINANCE

Kat Antoine has been promoted to branch leader at TBA Credit Union’s South Airport location in Traverse City. Antoine has been with the credit union for eight years.

Jim Behrmann has joined First Savings Bank Mortgage as a mortgage loan originator and recently opened an office at …

By Lynn Geiger

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