Elk Rapids Vibrant, Growing

June 17, 2016

Some people think of Elk Rapids as a sleepy little town just north of Traverse City — if they think of it at all, that is. As US-31 bisects the village’s two main business areas, those driving north or south might notice only the chamber of commerce office next to Elk Lake, with its enormous swan statue.

If those driving past would stop in, they’d find that Elk Rapids is sleepy no more. Business is thriving, with several new additions over the past couple of years.

One of those is Cedar Creek Interiors. The furnishing and design business originally opened in Elk Rapids as a complement to its Union Street location in Traverse City. Owner Kevin Graves and designer Kim Hooker found business so strong in Elk Rapids that they decided to pour all their energy into their location there and close up shop in Traverse.

“I could feel the potential here. We had almost immediate results in terms of foot traffic,” said Hooker.

Hooker credits local Realtor Kathy Wittbrodt for much of the town’s growth. Wittbrodt recruited Cedar Creek to move to the building her office is in, and she didn’t stop there.

Now Graves and Hooker are unveiling a new design studio upstairs, across the hall from Sara Busby. She, too, recently moved from Traverse City to Elk Rapids, though for her it was a homecoming.

Busby was the national president of the Kitchen and Bath Association in 2008. After that she relocated from Elk Rapids to Traverse City, thinking that would provide greater exposure.

“Business (in Traverse City) was good. I have tons of work in Traverse City still, but I missed this area,” she said of Elk Rapids. “This town has a special charm. I started in the business 20-plus years ago in this building.”

Wild Hare Rug Studio next door is another recent success story. Owner Michelle Mueller opened the shop two years ago. She has seen steady growth in her clientele and provides lessons for those interested in fiber arts; she is similarly excited by the town’s increasing vitality.

Elk Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce President Tom Kern points to several other new shops, as well as continuing growth in sectors such as manufacturing, as evidence of the town’s vitality. “We’ve got new businesses downtown, women’s boutiques, a wine shop,” he said. Women’s clothing shops BelleAdora Boutique, Relish, Haystacks, and swimsuit seller Swim To You all now call Elk Rapids home.

Even old businesses are new again. The Sweet Shop bakery was a community icon. When the owners sold it, they taught the new owner everything they knew, and now its new incarnation, The Flour Pot bakery, looks to continue that run.

Cellar 152 is a gourmet deli and grocery that also sells kitchen items, unique art pieces and home accents. Stroll to the back, and you’ll find a wine bar and retail wine sales, while the rear deck features a view of the marina and music every Friday and Saturday.

It also hosts beer samplings on Wednesday night and wine tasting on Thursdays.

The building itself has been restored to showcase its original brick walls; manager Eric Ray noted that the bar is made from wood salvaged from the renovation.

It’s not just new stores. Kern said manufacturing strength is also spurring growth.

Companies like Burnette Foods, Short’s Brewing Company, Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, Traverse Bay Manufacturing, Elk Rapids Engineering, Specialty Silicon Fabrications, and Elk Lake Tools call the little Antrim County hamlet home, as do high-end cabinet manufacturers Wooden Hammer and Nowak Cabinets.

Kern also points to the variety of eateries as another strength. Restaurants include Pearl’s New Orleans Kitchen, Siren Hall, Chef Charles’ pizza, the Riverwalk Grille and Taproom, and Harbor Café. The Town Club is an Elk Rapids mainstay, which Kern calls a classic “burger and a beer” place.

Brand new is The Local, on the east side of US-31. Owners Jamie and Drew Wentworth brought their years of experience in the restaurant and construction business respectively to their new endeavor. She holds forth in the kitchen, while he was in charge of refurbishing the eatery.

“I always told him I wanted to open our own place,” said Jamie during a brief break from cooking during a busy lunchtime.

In addition to its long-running Harbor Days celebration, this year taking place Aug. 3–6, the town is also looking to additional events to draw visitors. “We have a car show the fourth Thursday of the month,” Kern said. “It’s not specific to British cars or muscle cars or anything — there’s everything under the sun: Ferrari, Porsche, a ’52 Plymouth.”

Hooker’s enthusiasm is contagious, and she speaks for many when she talks about the town’s re-energized business atmosphere. “This is such a wonderful community,” she said. “I’m so happy. With the studio and showroom, we’re set for growth.”

So the question “What’s new in Elk Rapids?” can be easily answered: Lots.