"Best of Boyne/Charlevoix" named by readers of Northern Express

Boyne area stores and restaurants did quite well in the Northern Express "Best of Northern Michigan" voting results. The photo below is "Eclectic Gift Store" winner Cindi Malin and her assistants Bob and Bing from CindiFranco's Cool Stuff. Here are the winners in the Boyne/Charlevoix division:

H A N G I N G O U T

All-round hangout: Cafe Sante
20-something hangout: Red Mesa Grill
Live music: Cafe Sante

Happy hour: Red Mesa Grill

Place to meet singles: Cafe Sante

Place for a first date: Sommerset Pointe Yacht Club

Hair Salon: Red Brick Salon

Spa services: Solace Spa @ Boyne Mountain

S H O P P I N G

Window displays: The Bird’s Nest

Place to pamper your pet: Northern Pet

Salon

Art gallery: Freshwater Studio

Athletic gear shop: No Boundaries

Place for chocolate: Alpine Chocolate Haus

Jewelry store: Beyond Borders

Eclectic Gift store: Cindi Franco’s Cool Stuff

D I N I N G

Restaurant staff: (Tie) Boyne River Inn and Cafe Sante

Healthiest restaurant: Red Mesa Grill

Lunch: Water Street Cafe

Bread/bakery store: Johann’s Breadbox Bakery

Bar food: Boyne River Inn

Breakfast: Water Street Cafe

Family restaurant: Red Mesa Grill

Gourmet restaurant: Grey Gables Inn

Pasta: Giuseppe’s Italian Grill

Mexican: Red Mesa Grill

Appetizers/small plates: (Tie) Morel’s Bistro - Shanahan’s Prime

Salads: Stafford’s Weathervane

Burger: The Villager Pub (Charlevoix)

Seafood: Grey Gables Inn

Steak: Stafford’s Weathervane

Outdoor deck scene: Shanahan’s Prime (Charlevoix Country Club)

New restaurant: Morel’s Bistro

Grain Train considers adding new store in BC; Open house here April 20

The Grain Train Natural Foods Market will host an open house informational meeting from 10 a.m. to 12 noon Saturday, April 20, at 104 S. Park St. in downtown Boyne City. This is the location being considered by the Grain Train for a possible new store. "We'd like to get your input and gauge interest in a Grain Train store in downtown Boyne City," store officials said. They note that the Boyne Area Chamber of Commerce has started a petition to gather support; if you'd like to join more than 500 others and sign the petition, follow this link. If you would like to support this idea or have questions, stop by on April 20. The Grain Train will have staff on hand to answer questions and gather your input. There will be some potential floor layouts to look at, samples to try and membership information available. The Grain Train will also be at the Boyne Chamber Business Expo on April 25 from 3-7 p.m.

Taste of Boyne includes food, beer and wine tasting

This year's Taste of Boyne at the Boyne Area Chamber's Business Expo includes 13 food booths plus two for wine and beer tasting. For the admission price of $5, everyone attending the Expo receives a Taste Card giving them one taste at all 15 booths. Here are this year's tasty participants:

• Alpine Chocolat Haus
• Porter Creek Fish House at Sommerset Pointe
• Boyne Mountain Restaurants
• BC Pizza
• BCHS Team Hospitality
• Barrel Black Restaurant
• Charlevoix Country Club
• Farmhouse Flatbread & Cracker Co.
• Glen's Market
• The Grain Train
• Green Plate Catering
• The Jordan Inn
• Mackinaw Trail Winery
• Petoskey Brewing Company
• Spicy Bob's Italian Express

The Expo is presented by Northwestern Bank at the former Carter's Store, 1315 Boyne Ave. in Boyne City. Highlights include 1,300 fun-loving people, 95 booths, a bar with several varieties of Petoskey Brewing Co. beer and Michigan wines, great music from A+ Digital DJs, dozens of giveaways, and vehicles from 3 auto dealers. Exhibitor booths sold out three weeks before the event.
> List of exhibitors |  Expo website |  Photos 

"So many unique, artistic signs" in Boyne City

From the "Motorlife" Blog by Frank Wulfers: Details can give a small town that unique feel that is often lost in modern society.  Downtown Boyne City in Northern Michigan is a historic district and all local businesses and stores have done a great job by paying attention to the details like signs.  Neon or other modern signs would look out of place in a historic district like this.  There may be a city ordinance that regulates what type of sign may be used but I haven’t researched this. The signs are easy to notice and some may not even notice them at all. On a cold but sunny winter’s day in March when cabin fever reared its ugly head, I went for a walk through downtown and started taking pictures of some of the signs.  A few pictures became many and it is surprising to see there are so many unique signs all over downtown.  Not one is the same as the next and many are very creative.  Even the street name signs have a unique design. There are also a few murals, among them an old looking map of the town.  City is a big word for Boyne City because it really is a small town.  Many downtowns of small-town America became victim of the big box stores and national chain restaurants but there are still many small towns in Michigan that are small enough for local merchants to thrive.  Such a great place to live and visit. Full story.

New program can find you an intern or an internship

The Boyne Area Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Intern In Michigan, a free internship resource that connects businesses and organizations with qualified student interns, based on skills and interests. In less than one year, more than 17,000 internship seekers and more than 1,200 companies from across Michigan have registered on Intern in Michigan. Visit boynechamber.interninmichigan.com to learn more about the system and register to find an intern or an internship. This groundbreaking new system instantly connects students and employers through a unique online matching system. Saving time and headaches, Intern in Michigan makes connections based on specific job requirements and the individual interests and skills of the candidates. Register with the new Intern in Michigan and get instant internship matches based on your individual needs. It's free to post internships and it's free to apply for opportunities. Video.

Registration opens for Boyne Chamber's April 25 Business Expo and Taste of Boyne

Registration is now open for the Boyne Chamber's Fifth Annual Business Expo and Taste of Boyne, presented by Northwestern Bank. The Expo will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at the former Carter's store. Past expos have been one of Northern Michigan's largest business networking events, as 1,300 people came to see 95 local exhibitors, including a dozen Taste of Boyne food booths. Register for a booth online via PayPal or click here for an exhibitor registration form to print and mail. Admission to the event is $5, and exhibitors receive extra admission passes for their employees, friends and clients. This exciting expo will again include great food, networking, music, business exhibits and the unveiling of the 2013-14 Boyne Area Visitors Guide. Soft drinks, Michigan wine and Short's beer on draft will be available.
> Expo website |  Photos  |  More photos  |  Sponsor info

New restaurant, marina and jobs coming to Walloon Village this summer

From the Petoskey News-Review: Up to 80 new jobs will become available in Walloon Lake this spring. Matt Borisch says he bought a series of properties in the little village last year with a simple intention: to bring life to the town and create something lasting. A marina, restaurant, boat showroom and service center are all planned for this summer. Construction of the buildings to house those businesses is progressing as planned. The boat dealership is currently open to customers by appointment, the service center will open April 15 and the marina and restaurant are expected to open by Memorial Day weekend. Just this week Borisch selected an executive chef to lead the 150-seat Barrel Back restaurant.  Full story.  Marina website.

Chamber honors business and civic leaders at Annual Meeting

Becky Harris, right, accepts
business leadership award
from Sally Roselli's sister,
Julie Wellman.

The Chamber honored a number of local business and civic leaders in front of a crowd of more than 300 people at its Annual Meeting Jan. 17 at Boyne Mountain. The winners were chosen in voting by more than 200 members, local residents and visitors who responded to an online survey. Here are the award winners:  

Sally Roselli Business Leadership Award - Becky Harris for her "vigilant and enthusiastic promotion" as the new manager of the Boyne City Farmers Market, which is now open year-round. (Photo at right)

Community Pride Award - The Boyne City Eagles, who donate money throughout the year to area food pantries, the girl and boy scouts, Community Christmas baskets, school backpack programs, the free clinic and many other organizations.

Volunteer of the Year Award - Gail Farley, who is the driving force behind the Northern Michigan Cancer Crusaders. Gail is also active with the 4th of July Committee, Mushroom Festival and Relay for Life.

Entrepreneur of the Year - Brett Cuper of Morel's Bistro took a closed business that had been closed for four years and turned it into a high-end destination restaurant – enhancing Boyne City's growing reputation as the place to go for all types of dining.

Young Entrepreneur of the Year - Joshua Grove and Michael Koteskey of Boyne Parasail. This dynamic duo worked for months ahead of time, planning and training to start a business that made a big splash right away.

Heritage Award for ongoing contributions to the community by a long-time business leader - We have two recipients of this award because there was a virtual tie between two worthy people:

• Lynda Christensen of Lynda's Real Estate Service - Besides running a successful business she is constantly helping others in our community. She is active in the Boyne City Booster Foundation, St. Matthew's Church and she runs the Loan Closet, which loans medical equipment  to those returning home from surgery.
• Hugh Conklin of the Boyne City Main Street Program - Hugh and his wife Susan first came to Boyne City as the owners of the Boyne Citizen. Lately, he has taken our Main Street program to a new level and helped bring our community national recognition. 

> Details and photos.