As the region's economy continues its upward climb, more business opportunities emerge, including several established businesses now on the market. The Ticker explores.... 

Interested in cleaning up? Do it with a landmark Traverse City business. Eastfield Commercial Laundry and Laundromat is for sale for $1,999,999. With the owner retiring, the turnkey businesses and real estate are being sold all together with all inventory, machines, and training included. The washers and dryers have credit card readers, allowing customers to use cards or change, an option most laundromats don’t offer.

Tom Krause of Krause Realty Solutions is representing the owner, Jim Lagato. Lagato bought it after retiring from the phone company. He had begun working part-time for a local construction company to keep himself busy and was laid off when he saw an ad for the laundromat. “I looked into it and bought it. I don’t hunt, I don’t fish, I work. Or I’d be bored stiff,” he says.

He went into it with a ten-year plan, and here he is 17 years later. “My problem is I expanded it,” he says, purchasing the two buildings next to the original Eastfield Laundry to run a commercial side. “I bought the Ben Franklin (building) for the commercial (laundry) and bought the middle one because it was in my way.” He may well fail at his second retirement, as he owns property and a 53,000 square foot building in Grawn, where he produces Mr. Jim’s Laundry Soap.

As popular as boating is right now, perhaps now is the time to consider the Interlochen Boat Shop. The business and its accompanying 11-plus acres are for sale for $1.6 million. It doesn’t sell boats per se, but if it’s got to do with being on the water, you’ll find it here: It’s a retail parts and Shore Station dealer and offers boat hoist delivery service, boat winterization and shrink-wrapping. The shop services boat owners on Green Lake, Long Lake, and Duck Lake and other local bodies of water.

The site offers other retail possibilities as well, with plenty of parking. Plus there are numerous sheds and outbuildings, hunting blinds, open field areas with some woods, and roads throughout. There’s even a three-bedroom mobile home with a deck, fenced-in yard and carport. The business is right off US Highway 31 just west of Interlochen. Lori O’Mara of Real Estate One is representing the owner.

If you're eager to get into the restaurant business, you have options. One is McGee’s 31, on US31 just north of Chum’s Corner, for $1,015,000. It boasts seating for 140 with deck seating for another 60, and has been fully upgraded both inside and out to the tune of $200,000. Cosmetic upgrades indoors and out include paving the parking lot and adding digital signage. It’s on 1.93 acres, offering room for expansion.

Another option is That’sa Pizza, which has three locations: Hammond Road, Acme and North Long Lake Road. All three can be yours for $1,100,000. The business debuted in 1981 and has expanded over the years, proof of a loyal and growing clientele. The Hammond and Acme locations are primarily pick up or delivery, though they do have small dining areas. The Long Lake pizzeria has a Class C liquor license and a full dining room. 

Both of these restaurant opportunities are represented by William Malek of Michigan Business Advisors.

Or take a bite of the local Big Apple Bagels franchise. It opened in Traverse City in 1998 and has operated under the current ownership since January 2011. The Traverse City store has the highest sales of all stores since 2016 and is the first and only of the 71 shops in 22 states in the "Million Dollar Club," exceeding $1 million in sales in 2019. It’s listed at $269,000. Andy Stireman of the Stireman Group at Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors is brokering the sale.

Another option is The Comfort Center. The two Traverse City locations of the furniture dealer are for sale for $6.5 million. The listing includes the full business, real estate, inventory, equipment, and work force. Both locations include large, fully stocked warehouses and ample parking. The rest is up to you. Mark Hagan at Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors is representing the seller.

Despite the name, Dockside 31 liquor store is not located next to the water – that would be its sister operation on West Bay – but it offers the same options as its namesake: Beer, wine, sandwiches, pizza, and don’t forget the jerky and hunter’s sausage. It’s on US-31 (hence the name) just north of and across the street from Turtle Creek Stadium. It is offered for $399,000, which includes the business and the building. The sale is being handled by James Francisco at the Francisco group.