Artisan goods for gift buyers, scone seekers, and locally-made product enthusiasts.
Northeast Michigan offers countless attractions: the lake, tall pines, beautiful trails, and rivers. Likely, you’re geared up for any type of weather but sometimes it’s nice to step inside for a hot cup of coffee, pastry, or to peruse local art. We’ve put together a list of some cozy spots to check out when you crave refuge from the cold.
M-211 Mercantile, Onaway
There’s a small purple shop just south of Onaway State Park where Julie and Kenneth Schaedig welcome folks in for fresh bakes and coffee each weekend during the winter. In addition to their gourmet bakery, the shop is stocked with Michigan-made products and is well known for their ample supply of specialty beer and wine. Much of the produce is supplied from the garden located behind the shop. What doesn’t sell, Julie turns into flavorful pickles and salsas. Did you know that it’s an art shop, too? Check out locally made artisan crafts you can’t find anywhere else.
Tip’n the Mitten, LLC, Grayling
There’s nothing you can’t find at this all-in-one food and retail shop. Tip’n the Mitten offers an array of local products from beer and wine to gifts and decor. They also stock farm fresh milk year-round and offer ice cream by the scoop! Large and small Michigan vendors line the shelves, all of them intentionally selected to bring customers the finest products in one location.
Made UP North, Roscommon
Diane Suvada’s passion for creating community connections through handmade goods is the mission at the heart of her Roscommon oasis. What began as a small artisan boutique in 2017, has expanded to include a full café and retail shop featuring Michigan makers and food businesses. If you’re in the market for hand carved figures, knitted dolls, custom engravings, or sweetly scented candles, add Made UP North to your list. The space also hosts regular workshops with local artists and catering options.
These local retail markets are just a sample of the many delicious food and art curators in northeast Michigan. To find more local food businesses in your area, check out TLD’s online directory!
Emily Row is a content creator for Taste the Local Difference. Contact her at [email protected]
Further Reading:
M-211 Mercantile: The Purple Store in the Middle of Nowhere