Multiple prominent local businesses have changed hands or are under new ownership structures, including Don Orr Ski N’ Beach Haus, Einstein Cycles, Iron Fish Distillery, Modus+, The Good Bowl, and The Kitchen/Grandview Catering. The Ticker has details on those and numerous other restaurant and retail updates from across the region.

Ownership Changes
Don Orr Ski N’ Beach Haus is now under just its third set of owners since opening in 1953. Libby and Eric Shutler recently purchased the winter and summer apparel store on Munson Avenue from Jeff Swanson, who owned it since 2013 and is now retiring. Swanson took over the shop from original founders Don and Bonnie Orr, who owned it for 60 years.

The Shutlers, who met in ski racing and are both local ski coaches, have long-time ties to Don Orr. Libby’s father, Denny Hoxie, worked every winter in the shop since 1966. She has been in the store “my entire life,” she says, and started “doing all the books and buying with Bonnie when she still owned it and then with Jeff.” Eric started working at the store in 2013. A business Facebook post said the Shutlers look forward to continuing the legacy of the shop “with deep respect for its history and excitement for the future.”

“With change, there are some fresh new ideas,” says Eric, such as expanding the store’s kids ski lease program. “I think a lot of that will play out. Let’s get the first winter under our belt, and then there are some ideas on how we can expand.”

Also on the retail front, David Bucholtz and Kim White have purchased all three Einstein Cycles locations from Trevor Schmitz. The company has stores in Big Rapids and Cadillac in addition to its US-31 North location in Traverse City. Einstein Cycles offers bike service and repairs, rentals, a kids’ trade-up program, and a wide range of gear and accessories. In downtown Traverse City, Modus45 has a celebratory grand reopening planned January 17 and 18 on Union Street as the rebranded Modus+ under new owner Shauna Beekman. Modus+ will “continue offering its popular namesake Modus classes while also introducing classic barre, mobility, dance, and other new classes giving clients more ways to move, strengthen, and challenge themselves,” according to a company release.

Multiple local food and beverage businesses are also changing hands. Iron Fish Distillery co-founders Richard and Sarah Anderson have sold their ownership interest in the Thomposnville-based company to fellow co-founders David Wallace and Heidi Bolger as of December 31. All four co-founders expressed appreciation for their decade-long partnership, with Wallace and Bolger saying they “look forward to building on that foundation as the company moves ahead.”

In Traverse City, restaurateur Jeff Wiltse has sold The Kitchen and Grandview Catering to a team of employees that includes Jen Foltz, Matthew Walheim, Robyn Guerrero, and Joanne Hitchens. “We are proud to step into ownership together, carry forward the Kitchen and Grandview legacy, and thoughtfully steward these businesses into their next chapter,” the team posted on Facebook. On Front Street, The Good Bowl founder Soon Hagerty announced she is focusing on other professional pursuits and selling the business to partner Tony Wu, who will now become the sole owner. “I couldn’t be more confident in the future of The Good Bowl under his leadership,” Hagerty said in a post.

Finally, two businesses with ownership changes previously reported on by The Ticker are moving forward. Traverse Bay Café has reopened on East Front Street under Ashley Flowers, who has retained many of the recipes and dishes from André Villoch alongside a revamped menu. The eatery is open Wednesday-Monday (closed Tuesday) from 6am to 2pm. In Peninsula Township, Stephanie Krupka and Brian Daley closed on the purchase of Old Mission Tavern on Center Road Wednesday. The duo, who have extensive hospitality experience, are keeping the name but plan to freshen up the menu. Krupka tells The Ticker they hope to open by March.

Other restaurant and retail news…
Several new retail stores are coming to the region. After Dollar Tree signage recently went up on the side of the former Rite Aid building next to Bardon’s on East Front Street, City Zoning Administrator Dave Weston confirms the company is opening a new location there as a use by right. Dollar Tree also has a nearby location on Munson Avenue as well as stores on Division Street and Crossing Circle.

Resale shop Penny Lane is preparing to open a second location following the success of its current location on East Front Street. Owner Jena Wright says she hopes to open February 7 at 528 West Fourteenth Street (next to Crusted Creations), “giving even more makers and resellers a place to call home.” Booking for booths will open January 19 on Penny Lane’s website. Out in Interlochen, new resale store Rockin Resale has opened its doors at 9664 US-31. The company, which is accepting donations only for now, contributes a portion of its proceeds to Redeemer Lutheran Church’s food and baby pantries. Posted hours are Tuesday-Saturday 9am-5pm.

In other retail news, Vintage TC – which bills itself as Traverse City’s “newest hub for retro fashion, local nostalgia, and curated vintage finds” – launched this month as an online-only retailer planning monthly merch drops, with January featuring a tribute to the departed Taco House. Goodwill Northern Michigan has temporarily closed its South Airport Store Sunday through Thursday this week for sales floor renovations. A portion of the store is expected to reopen by Saturday, with construction continuing through January 25.

Merchandise Outlet has closed its Traverse City location on Garfield Avenue. The company posted that its building was sold, and “the new owner has different plans for the property and chose not to renew the lease.” Meanwhile, after an extensive saga with its location in Cedar, bookstore The Folded Leaf posted it will be departing Leelanau County soon. The store is “in negotiations with a space in Traverse City” and hopes to put down roots in Grand Traverse County, eventually coming back to Cedar and opening a second location in “the next 2-5 years,” according to the post.

Finally, some more food and beverage updates: the Potato Gallery has opened at 700 Boon Street across from The Kitchen. The “pasta and potato bar” offers a variety of build-your-own dishes with a variety of sauces, toppings, and proteins served in tall, mobile cups. In Chums Corner, The Local’s Place has expanded to dinner service every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night until 8pm. Folgarelli’s Market & Wine Shop announced it will start offering “Pizza Wednesday” with fresh made-to-order pizzas every Wednesday from 12pm to 5pm. The Workshop Brewing Company is planning a grand reopening January 17 at noon with a new menu, branding, and games, with fairy hair/henna/permanent jewelry workshops planned 6-9pm and live music 7-10pm. Lastly, Dreloco Taco has permanently closed its doors on East Front Street after just over two years in business.

Pictured (clockwise from top left): Ownership changes at Don Orr Ski N’ Beach Haus, Iron Fish Distillery, The Good Bowl, and The Kitchen/Grandview Catering