Development News

Great Lakes Stainless, based in Traverse City, found two ways to expand recently.

The company announced the addition of a buffing and polishing division to its full-service commercial food service and custom stainless fabrication offerings. If that weren't enough, they went and hired three new employees to its team to help meet customer needs.

The buffing and polishing division will allow the company to keep more of its business in house instead of seeking some services elsewhere.

"Bringing on a buffing and polishing division was a natural fit for our business," says Michael DeBruyn, vice president of operations. "Not only can we now serve our commercial food service and custom stainless fabrication in-house, we’re able to offer high quality buffing and polishing services for automotive and marine restoration, and many other manufactured goods."

To service its expanding list of clients and offerings, Great Lakes Stainless also added several key members to its team.

Davis Hack will head the new buffing and polishing division. Hack is a graduate of Grand Valley State University and has several years of stainless steel fabrication background.

Dan Ellis joins Great Lakes Stainless as a production manager. Ellis is a graduate of Northwestern Michigan College with a focus on LEAN manufacturing. He has over 16 years in project design and management.

Lastly, Todd Sears joins the team as manufacturing engineer. Sears brings over 18 years of experience in the manufacturing industry as well as a graduate from Northwestern Michigan college with a focus on CAD and CAM advanced manufacturing.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Michael DeBruyn, Great Lakes Stainless

A movie based in the Upper Peninsula is being filmed right here in the Traverse City area.

Despite the fact that the U.P. is just a short drive from the Northwest Michigan region, the filmmakers of the movie Beside Still Waters have announced that they will be shooting in Traverse City and metro Detroit.

The film tells the story of a man redefining his outlook on life after the death of his parents. The project is expected to hire 34 Michigan workers.

"Beside Still Waters will showcase Michigan’s natural beauty and highlight a wide range of locations across the state," says Carrie Jones, director of the Michigan Film Office. "We are excited to be approving our first project of the year as we move forward in our efforts to promote and strengthen Michigan’s talented film industry."

Beside Still Waters was awarded a Michigan Film tax incentive of $79,324 on $276,281 of projected in-state expenditures. This is the first approval made utilizing the $25 million allocation for fiscal year 2012.

The film will be directed by Chris Lowell, who has been cast in films including Up in the Air, The Help and AWOL. Jason Potash, a native of Detroit, is producing alongside Paul Finkel and Mo Narang.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Carrie Jones, Michigan Film Office

Want to eat fresh in Gaylord? Well, now you have four different Subway locations you can choose from in the city limits with the newest opening in the Meijer store on M-32 West.

It will be open starting at 7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. on Sunday.

This location is slightly different than the other Subway locations most folks are used to. Instead of having a set time for breakfast, the Meijer store location will be offering breakfast all day long.

"The others drop breakfast items at 11 a.m.," says manager Trish Newhouse.

And those stopping by for breakfast are in for a treat, too. If a customer orders a 6-inch sub sandwich before 9 a.m. during the remainder of April they will get another 6-inch sandwich for free.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Trish Newhouse, Subway

A new Tribal Government Center is being constructed by the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians at the intersection of US-31 and M-22 near Manistee.

The construction project, which will 54,000 square feet in size and cost approximately $10.2 million to build, is the largest construction project for the region since the new Manistee High School was completed in 2002.  

The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians has members from nine counties in Michigan and is the first and fourth largest employer in Manistee County with its businesses and government positions.

The center is being constructed to help the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians honor the traditions of the Anishnaabek, reduce operating costs, offer accessible facilities and provide opportunities for future growth and create a centralized location for the tribal government's operations.

"We want to create jobs, we want to generate the economy--it's one of our goals here to make sure that as much as possible the equipment, the material, the resources, (and) labor comes from Michigan," says Virgil Johnson, a member of the task force overseeing the construction project. "So, we're keeping the money here in Michigan."

The center is expected to be completed over the next 18 months.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Virgil Johnson, Little River Band of Ottawa Indians

Business is booming at M S Creative Services in Manistee, according to company president Mark Sandstedt.

"We opened a Grand Rapids office this past January, we are in the process of completely renovating in an 1886 building in downtown Manistee," Sandstedt says. "It will house our future world headquarters--I anticipate doubling my staff of four in the next year or so."

Sandstedt also employs a growing host of freelancers at his traditional Manistee advertising agency.

"We are renovating a historic building in downtown Manistee," he says. Our current office in the Briny Building has been terrific for the past 11 years, but it is time for our own space that we can grow into.

MS Creative Services plans, places and executes advertising and promotional campaigns for a broad spectrum of clients--exceling, according to its president, at crafting individual strategies and marketing plans tailored for each individual customer."

His continued growth and longevity secret?

"Follow through, follow through, follow through," he emphasizes.

"I am very proud of the fact that Snyder's Shoes in Manistee and Ludington was my very first client in 1994 and continues to be a great customer today," he says. "We are not interested in making a quick buck; we have several clients we have worked with for over 15 years. We work very hard to develop (and maintain) long-term relationships with our clients by providing solutions that get results."

"As our clients have grown, MS Creative has grown along with them."

Writer: Kelle Barr
Source: Mark Sandstedt, MS Creative Services Inc.

When Sarah Alden opened the doors at Play Clothes on Memorial Day weekend last year, she declared herself "owner, buyer, janitor, baby whisperer and Shrinky Dinker."

In other words, she did it all at the distinctive children’s toy and clothing shop. Sales began to soar early on, allowing Alden some relief from her duties.

"We hired one employee a couple months after opening," Alden says. We need one due to strong customer sales."

Alden attributes her swift growth to personal attention to all patrons.

"We focus on providing a personalized experience for everyone who comes through our door - we really know our customers and are able to greet many of them and their children on a first-name basis," she says. "Happily, that has resulted in a great relationship; we really listen to what people want and then [are able to] provide it."

Alden says that, weary of the repetitiveness and lack of unique offerings at mass retailers, she opened her business with a firm commitment to independent, local and fun shopping for children.

Kiddie wear at Play Clothes incorporates many lines created from soft organic cotton and Alden offers a host of baby accessories as well as a baby registry. Educational toys, puzzles, games and books are among playthings available in her downtown Manistee boutique.

Expansion will continue into the summer when Alden adds a dressing room and a customer restroom.

Writer: Kelle Barr
Source: Sarah Alden, Play Clothes

There's a new representative for Farm Bureau Insurance and they've opened up an office right in Manistee.

Matt Knizacky recently opened up the doors to his new office, the Matt Knizacky Agency, located at 356 River Street. In addition, Knizacky signed on to be a member of the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce almost immediately and has been active in that organization as well.

Knizacky is a licensed, multi-line insurance agent, which basically means he can handle any of your insurance needs.

"I chose a career as a Farm Bureau Insurance agent because I care about the people in my community," says Knizacky on his website. "I live and work in this area, so my service is always personal and always local."

Knizacky officially opened his office in December and is taking new clients. He can be reached at 231-398-3000.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Matt Knizacky, Farm Bureau Insurance

Kristin Kitson is no stranger to the ins and outs of running a successful brand management agency, which is exactly why she decided to launch her new company, Brand Simple.

Kitson, who formerly worked at Tandem Design in Traverse City and long-time Chevrolet advertising agency Campbell-Ewald in Detroit, recently launched the online brand management agency with the goal of assisting local and regional clients with social media, email marketing, content strategy, website analytics and optimization.

"I love helping businesses connect with their consumers and I love northern Michigan," says Kitson. "So, naturally, I'm thrilled with the opportunity to join local business owners in promoting this beautiful area."

Brand Simple creates case-by-case plans to work with its clientele to reach current and potential customers online in a way that best suits their brand or business. Services are customized by the needs of the client, focusing on brand consulting, monthly social media management or team training.

Kitson holds a bachelor's degree in communications from Oakland University and is working toward a masters in administration through Central Michigan University.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Kristin Kitson, Brand Simple

For those of you who haven't been to Boehm Chiropractic since the beginning of the new year, you might be surprised to find that there is a new face on the team there.

Dr. Kimberly Anderson has joined the crew at Boehm Chiropractic in Manistee. She is a graduate of the National University of Health Sciences and has been practicing in Traverse City for the past five years before joining the staff at Boehm.

Besides having another qualified doctor on staff, the Boehm Chiropractic offices will be using the new addition to their advantage, expanding their usual office hours to allow for more convenience in meeting their clients' needs. In addition, Boehm will be offering new services and classes that will expand your knowledge of spinal wellness and how it affects your overall health.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Dr. Fritz Boehm, Boehm Chiropractic

A new yoga school that's trying something new is now open in Traverse City.

Opening March 24, Shanti School of Yoga offers some things you would expect to find in a new yoga studio: gentle yoga, hot yoga, and Zumba classes. But amid those on the schedule is a new class: zero gravity yoga.

Participants use a swing or hammock-like prop suspended from the ceiling to help them achieve some of those yoga postures you thought you'd never be able to do, in perfect form.

The zero gravity yoga classes also help build muscle strength and flexibility--not to mention, it looks like a lot of fun.

Since the style is new to Traverse City, and, as far as we can tell, Michigan, Shanti School of Yoga offered free introductory classes, 30 minutes long, so would-be attendees can try out the new class without any charge, for their official opening March 24 and 25. That's over now, but you can still book a regular class.

Get in contact with Shanti School of Yoga on Facebook or through their website. They are located at Logan's Landing, 2074 S. Airport Road in Traverse City.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Shanti School of Yoga

If you're looking to grab some great barbecue in Big Rapids and you've heard about Snyder's BBQ offerings, you are going to want to update your GPS before heading that way.

The company, owned by Kraig and Sue Snyder, recently opened up shop at their new location at 223 South Michigan Avenue. If that weren't news enough for the Snyder's, they also hired an additional employee to help meet the growing demand on their popular food.

The family-owned business opened its doors on the Michigan Avenue storefront on March 1 with a soft opening and then was back to offering full food service operation the next day.

The new location offers more than just great food--it offers a great atmosphere, too. One of the first things the Snyders touted is the fireplace, which they hope will be used by customers looking to warm up while they grab a bite of one of their "famous" pulled pork sandwiches or another menu item.

Snyder's BBQ is open Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday until 11 p.m.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Kraig and Sue Snyder, Snyder's BBQ

Quite often, physical therapy offices and sports training go hand-in-hand--and that's exactly the case now at Superior Physical Therapy in Traverse City. The company recently launched a new business branch on its existing location, Superior Sports Performance.

To coincide with the expansion, the company also hired on a new sports performance trainer.

The sports performance focus is on athletes of all skill levels to help them avoid injury, increase movement, speed, agility, strength, power, recovery and, of course, their knowledge of sports performance training. What's more is the programs can either be tailored to fit one athlete, or designed for entire teams to work together to enhance performance.

The performance training is led by Eric Shutler and the newest addition to the staff, Keith Bandli.

"Keith received his athletic training degrees from Lake Superior State as well as a Masters in Exercise Physiology from Northern Michigan University," says Andrew Gorecki, Superior Physical Therapy owner, via the company's Facebook page. "Since then Keith has worked in Alaska for two years in a physical therapy setting. Keith has been in Traverse City for four years in various physical therapy settings. Most notably Keith has worked alongside the Traverse City Wolves football team, Bay Reps Hockey, Grand Traverse Firefighters, special Olympians, and various high school and collegiate athletes."

More information about the program, including team training rates, can be found here.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Andrew Gorecki, Superior Physical Therapy

Diners at the Alpine Tavern & Eatery in Gaylord now have a bit more room to stretch out and relax thanks to the expansion of the popular dining location.

The restaurant recently opened the doors to the Alpine Sports Haus Pub, a 1,500-square-foot addition to the Tavern & Eatery housed in the former Play It Again Sports building. The pub features 10 large-screen televisions, a sports theme décor and room to seat 85 additional diners at tables and 16 at the bar.

"Our larger space allows us to accommodate larger gatherings right here in town," says James Hickey, co-owner of the Alpine restaurant. "We feel this sports-pub theme is a niche that needed to be filled here in downtown Gaylord."

The "American cuisine" that the Alpine Tavern & Eatery is known for will be available in the Sports Haus Pub as well and features a variety of pizzas, homemade soups and a large assortment of sandwiches.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: James Hickey, Alpine Tavern & Eatery

At first, Tina Beatty's Eco Lunch Gear was just focused around getting kid's school lunches into a more sustainable and organic-friendly format.

The Northwest Michigan mom and businesswoman began making her own lunch bags, sandwich bags, snack bags and napkins out of washable, organic cotton fabrics, and they've been a huge hit with her customers online.

That was last year -- now the line of Eco Lunch Gear products has grown to include the latest offering, placemats.

"While searching for organic cottons to do my sandwich wraps and snack bags, I came across some awesome prints that were made out of organic cotton twill (a heavier fabric). I wondered how I could get these into my line--I had thought about placemats but just didn't know the exact design I wanted to do until recently. I love that it's double sided; not only do they hold up nice and match, but you can flip them over and use the other side before tossing it in the wash," says Beatty of the newest addition to the product line.

Beatty and another employee sew all the products themselves, and so far are keeping up with demand, including placing some Eco Lunch Gear products on local store shelves in Traverse City and around the area.

As the business grows, Beatty is working to make it easier for customers, both online shoppers and wholesale customers, to connect with Eco Lunch Gear.

"We have changed the site a little bit; (we) put in a 'fabric' tab so the customers can have a quick reference to what fabrics are available; a 'wholesale' tab was added so now the retail stores can order directly on the site," she says.

The fabrics and prints offered are changing constantly; Beatty chooses designs from a few specialty fabric companies who provide organic-fiber fabrics in small batches, so as each print is used up, the choices for customers change with the seasons. Beatty says new prints are coming for spring and summer, as well.

And, placemats are far from the end of the line, as new Eco Lunch Gear products go.

"Something else that I plan on adding soon are larger sized cinch sacks--people have been asking about those too," says Beatty.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Tina Beatty, Eco Lunch Gear

Don't let the name of the new business fool you--Full Moon Pizza Company is hardly your everyday pizza joint.

In fact, owners Nathan Knickerbocker and Mark Nelson are offering up a restaurant that is going to keep mouths watering around Traverse City thanks to their artisan wood-fired cuisine. Full Moon Pizza is located on Eighth Street, near Potter's bakery. On the menu are things like breakfast pizza topped with scrambled eggs and nice chunks of potatoes, tomatoes and sausage. There will even be tasty entrees, such as wood-roasted, oregano-crusted salmon with artichoke hearts, roasted garlic and capers in a burre blanc, served on a bed of spring mix.

So what's the secret to what Knickerbocker and Nelson are using to help make Full Moon the next stop in Traverse City's foodie tour? It is a custom-built, wood-burning oven that weighs in at just about a ton and a half, which was built by the two partners. The oven will be the only way of cooking the eight different pizzas, five sandwiches and the entrees that are currently on the menu. Full Moon also has appetizers and salads for their customers to choose from. The idea behind the oven is to offer up authentic wood-fired flavor, plus the appearance and texture that can only be found on pizzas baked in such ovens.

The location of the new restaurant, located at 910 East Eighth Street, is a former salon that has been completely renovated. There is seating for 15 inside and takeout and delivery options are available.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Full Moon Pizza Company