Four-Season Frankfort and the Four Pillars of Year-Round Living

What would it take for this Lake Michigan town to support a year-round population and economy?

As the winter months arrive, Frankfort begins to shift. Gone are the beach towels, farmers markets, and bustling sidewalks of summer. The breeze off Lake Michigan feels sharper, and the lakefront’s bright energy gives way to a slower, more introspective rhythm. Shops sit shuttered behind signs promising a return in May. Frankfort, like many small lakeshore towns in Michigan, has long depended on its warm-weather charm.

But in recent years, a shift has begun. Even as the temperatures drop, a new energy is emerging—surfers, kiteboarders, and cold-weather adventurers are discovering Lake Michigan’s wilder season, bringing a fresh wave of off-season tourism to town.

At the same time, more people are choosing to make Frankfort their home. Some are drawn by the town’s quieter pace and natural beauty; others are seeking a more affordable alternative to busier, higher-cost markets nearby. The result is a subtle but growing transformation. What was once seen as a summer-only destination is beginning to take shape as a four-season town.

“I’m always bummed when I visit Frankfort in the winter months and I can’t pop into many of my favorite shops or eateries,” says one regular visitor.

It’s a sentiment city leaders have heard before—and one they’re working to address. Over the past 15 years, Frankfort has been intentionally building a foundation for long-term, sustainable growth. That effort includes everything from broadband internet to updated zoning, strategic housing developments, and a push to support year-round businesses.

But it’s all been done with one clear priority in mind: protecting the character and quality of life that make Frankfort special in the first place.

Step One: Housing

One of the most visible signs of progress is a new affordable housing project recently completed on Bellows Avenue.

The 12-unit complex—made up entirely of two-bedroom apartments—was made possible through a blend of city planning and state-level support. The goal? To give working families, young professionals, and older adults the option to live in Frankfort full-time without being priced out by rising home values and seasonal demand.

“As a community, we have laid the foundation and enabled ourselves to be in a better position for housing,” says City Superintendent Josh Mills. “We developed a land trust, did a huge zoning reform, worked on the wastewater management facility, created infrastructure, a new housing commission… the list is long.”

Housing expansion hasn’t stopped at new builds. Recent zoning changes now allow for multiple rental units within a single home and legalize the renovation of carriage houses into livable spaces, helping increase housing options while preserving the residential charm that defines Frankfort.

Just as critical has been the investment in digital infrastructure. Through an $8 million broadband expansion effort spanning Benzie County, Frankfort now has access to high-speed internet in areas that were previously underserved or completely offline.

“We’ve invested in development, we’ve invested in broadband,” Mills says. “These things are laying the foundation we need that will allow us to grow and be ready.”

Step Two: New Businesses

Together, these efforts are positioning Frankfort for more than just residential development. With state incentives, an emerging regional strategy, and local leadership backing growth, opportunities are starting to open up for businesses as well.

“We care about the businesses that come here,” says Mayor JoAnn Holwerda. “We want to work with them to minimize cost and risks and maximize their impact. It is good for us, it is good for them, and it is good for our residents.”

For restaurateur Ed Carrella, the investment has been significant—and personal. Over the past few years, Carrella and his business partner Tim Potter have opened three restaurants in Frankfort, all of which operate year-round and aim to serve both residents and visitors in every season.

Their first, Vita Bella (300 Main St.), an Italian bistro, opened in March 2021—right in the middle of the pandemic. Carrella had just lost his job during the shutdowns, and after decades in the restaurant industry, it was a moment of reckoning.

“I never wanted my fate in someone else’s hands again,” he says. He and his family relocated to Frankfort, where they had a summer home, to decide what came next. The answer, it turned out, was a leap of faith. “It was a risk to open during the pandemic,” Carrella says. “But we decided it was worth it.”

In 2024, the pair purchased Dinghy’s (415 Main St.), a longtime community staple. “It came up for sale and we jumped on the opportunity,” Carrella says. “It is an iconic institution in Frankfort, and we loved the idea of adding a mainstay to our portfolio.”

Just a year later, in May 2025, they opened their third concept: Slurping Bear, an Asian bistro that now occupies Vita Bella’s original space (320 Main St.). “We still had two years left on the lease, and we felt like there was a gap in the food. We wanted to diversify the culinary scene.”

Across their three locations, Carrella now employs approximately 130 people in the area. But it’s not just about business growth—it’s about contributing to a community he and his family have come to love.

“Frankfort has always been an amazing town,” he says. “It’s calm and beautiful and filled with history. You hit that archway and feel the sigh and the weight leave your shoulders.”

Just down the street, another new small business is finding its rhythm. Misty Cove, which opened in June 2024, offers a mix of size-inclusive apparel, fine jewelry, apothecary goods, crystals, and metaphysical items. Owner Misty Osterberg says she’s seen steady business since day one.

“I think having events closer to the edge of the busy season, like Ironman, have really helped keep traffic consistent,” she says. After talking with other shop owners, she’s noticed a shared sentiment: business in downtown Frankfort feels more stable and less sharply seasonal than it once was.

Though Misty Cove closes during January and February, Osterberg sees that downtime as a benefit. “I enjoy having a few months to slow down and be with my husband,” she says. “But if I felt we could stay open in January and February and make enough that I could hire someone in those months, I would. We are here to earn an income, and if there was enough business, we would find a way to stay open.”

In the meantime, her focus is on creating a welcoming, high-quality shopping experience for locals and tourists alike. “It is really important to me that we carry a wide range of sizes, consistently have new items, and have high-quality products to offer at a reasonable price,” she says.

What’s especially telling about both Carrella and Osterberg is that they are first-time business owners who chose Frankfort as the place to take that leap. Their presence is more than economic—it’s symbolic of Frankfort’s identity as a place where people come to build something meaningful.

What’s Missing: The Four Pillars of Year-Round Living

Even with major progress underway, Frankfort’s future as a year-round town depends on addressing four essential needs echoed in communities across the country: affordable housing, childcare, sustainable jobs, and off-season business stability.

1. Affordable Housing
Current Situation: Seasonal demand continues to limit housing availability for full-time residents, with many properties used as second homes or vacation rentals.
Future Vision: The recent build on Bellows Avenue is just the beginning. The city is actively identifying additional areas where similar projects could take place and hopes to continue combining local planning with state-level funding to support future builds.

2. Year-Round Childcare
Current Situation: Limited licensed providers and long waitlists make childcare a persistent challenge for working families.
Future Vision: One vision from city leaders includes a dedicated childcare facility on school grounds that would combine early education, housing for childcare professionals, and even career training programs. Frankfort is also encouraging businesses to rethink what a kid-friendly workplace looks like. A few years ago, City Hall modeled this idea by allowing two former employees to bring their babies to work until the age of three.

3. Sustainable, Year-Round Employment
Current Situation: Jobs tied to the summer tourism season dominate the local economy, leaving workers underemployed or out of work in the off-season.
Future Vision: With broadband in place, the city is now focused on attracting year-round businesses—especially in tech, services, and potential environmental research. There’s a growing sense of collaboration across the region as well, says Mayor Holwerda, who believes, “There is a lot of synergy between towns across Benzie County, and we are all working in the same direction now.”

4. Business Retention & Off-Season Vitality
Current Situation: Many businesses still close their doors after summer, limiting activity for both residents and visitors in the colder months.
Future Vision: City officials are looking at ways to support an extended season through community events, shared commercial spaces, and small business assistance programs to help bridge the seasonal gap. There’s even early buzz that a major Michigan-born retail brand—one known for its strong community ties—is eyeing Frankfort as a potential location for expansion.

Looking forward, Mills says natural resources could become part of Frankfort’s economic expansion. “It is possible that our deep water port could potentially play a future role in growth. And all of our fresh water,” he notes—hinting at long-range possibilities that could include research facilities or environmental education centers.

Still, amid all the planning, leaders are clear that this is about more than numbers—it’s about preserving what people love about Frankfort. “What makes Frankfort so special is its strong sense of community,” Mills says, “and that will continue to play a big role as we grow and move forward.”

Photo by Abby McKiernan

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