We need to celebrate the longstanding businesses in the downtown district. In the downtown Cheboygan financial world, Citizens National Bank and Straits Area Federal Credit Union are marking milestones. On January 24th, Citizens National Bank celebrated it’s 80 year anniversary. Straits Area Federal Credit Union is marking 60 years in business.

Starting a new business is a serious endeavor, not to be taken lightly. Throwing all caution to the wind and beginning a new business opportunity is sometimes met with trepidation. For those of you, seriously contemplating a business venture in the downtown district, please look to the success stories that are living the dream in Downtown Cheboygan.

. The following businesses are in the 50 year club (that is those businesses who have been in business for at least 50 years): City Barber Shop, Downtown Johnnies, Lindsay & Lindsay, Modern Pharmacy, Step Inn, Straits Area Federal Credit Union, and United Design Associates. These businesses are members of the 75 year club: BKC Insurance, Carnation Restaurant, Cheboygan Area Chamber of Commerce, Cheboygan Lumber, Citizens National Bank, Kingston Theatre, Plaunt Transportation, and Viau’s Clothing. The over 100 year club includes: Cheboygan Daily Tribune, Cheboygan Opera House, Club 27, Fraternal Order of Eagles #1282, Johnsons Photo & Camera Shop.

What an accomplishment! From the changes in cars to the road improvements on Main Street, I imagine these businesses have seen a lot over the years. Just think about the changes these businesses have seen in the way they run their businesses. I’m sure they all have stories about the good old days when the downtown district was the main commerce center in Cheboygan, that was before the times of the urban sprawl and big, box stores. We need to take the information from the days of yore and implement those values into today’s society. I am anxious to see additional businesses get inducted into the 50 year club and it would be great to see downtown Cheboygan once again become the boon it was in the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s. Cheboygan is currently developing plans to shape the downtown district, both in Washington Park and at the former F.W. Woolworth building. Changes are happening. Change is good. I imagine that in 50 years, we will see some of our current businesses still operating in downtown Cheboygan and what an accomplishment that will be.

Utilizing on-street parking spaces is a glorious thing.  Isn’t it nice to drive to your favorite downtown store or restaurant and see the perfect parking space right in front?  It’s like winning the parking space lotto!  Perfect as it seems, how realistic is that scenario?

The Downtown Development Authority Board of Directors recently held a public meeting regarding the Woolworth Site Re-Use Project.  Mr. John Beckett from Beckett and Raeder in Ann Arbor presented the DDA and City Council with six possible scenarios for the site.  The City of Cheboygan received a grant to help with the demolition of the Woolworth building and also to assist with the funding of building a covered pavilion for public use.  Throughout the meeting, it became clear that parking is a passionate issue for Cheboygan residents. 

There are 316 parking spaces in Downtown parking lots – this does not include the parking spaces available on the street.  I find it peculiar that downtown users only look for parking spaces in front of the business they are going into.  How many times do you go to a big box store and you have to park several yards away from the door?  How about the times when you go to a mall in the more urban areas?  Your walk from the car to the mall door could take 10-15 minutes.  In some instances, you may even have to pay for parking!  We are so fortunate in Cheboygan because we do not have to pay to park and we have parking spaces aplenty!

The City has four public lots within a 3-block radius.  These lots offer FREE daily parking from 7:00 am – 2:00 a.m.  Overnight parking is allowed with a valid permit obtained from the Department of Public Safety.   The lots are located: 

• At the Cheboygan Opera House/City Hall/City Police on the corner of Huron Street and State Street
• Across from the Moose Lodge on the corner of Huron Street and Division Street
• Directly behind Subway on Water Street
• On the Cheboygan River on Water Street

The beauty of these public parking lots is that they are accessible at any time of the year. 

Downtown businesses are ready to serve you, giving you the same great service that you have come to trust…. and you don’t even have to feed a meter!

Each community has a downtown – whether it’s large or small, each community has a place where it all started from… the downtown sector. In this challenging economy, more and more businesses – either new or expanded – are looking to set up shop in downtowns.

Michigan cities are experiencing empty storefronts, but the tide is turning as businesses are finding their way back to the downtown district. Downtowns have existing infrastructure that helps to support business owners. Support networks, such as the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and Chamber of Commerce have a history of working with businesses to help them to grow and prosper by offering business seminars and downtown events that will lead traffic into the businesses.

Customers desire a ‘downtown experience’ like nothing they can attain in a shopping mall or on the internet. Downtowns are known for their unique shops and shop local incentives. No longer is the term ‘mom and pop’ considered derogatory, but actually a type of business customers are drawn to. Each downtown has its own individualized character; no two downtowns are exactly the same, so patrons flock to the city center to take part of this atmosphere that is known as downtown.

Why does it bother us so much to see a building sit empty when other cities have many buildings that sit unoccupied? It’s almost as though the public takes it more personally in Cheboygan if a building is left vacant. It bothers our community because Cheboyganites are proud of their town and we have a strong sense of place. We need to start looking at available buildings as what they are: opportunities for the entire community.

Downtown Cheboygan is blessed with some fantastic and quite unique businesses, but there are always opportunities for growth in and around the Downtown district. Cheboygan’s best advocates are the people who live here. Go forth Cheboyganites… support your neighbor by shopping locally and remember that we all need a strong Downtown to make Cheboygan a stronger community.

Back by popular demand is the fabulous “Trick-or-Treat in Downtown Cheboygan” event! Children are invited to dress up in their best Halloween garb to Trick-or-Treat to the area businesses within the Downtown district.

Halloween falls on Sunday this year, so the annual Downtown event will take place on Friday, October 29th from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Children will have their respective school parties on this day, so they will be dressed in their costumes and ready to partake in the Downtown Halloween fun immediately following their school celebrations.

Orange pumpkin signs will be on display in participating businesses. Businesses with signs displayed in their windows indicate that business is a participant in the Halloween promotion. This is a great time for businesses to distribute treats to the kiddies, as well as provide coupons of literature on their businesses to the adults. If you are a business and would like a pumpkin for your window or door, please contact my office – 627-9931.

Last year, the event took on a different role when Main Street was closed during the activity. Closing Main Street gave kids and parents alike the peace of mind that they were able to safely maneuver through Downtown without worry of busy traffic passing by. This event brings thousands to the Downtown area and kids are very excited to participate; the street closure helps to ensure that the kids and parents have a fun and safe experience. This year Main Street will be closed from 2:00-5:00 p.m. from State Street to Pine Street and traffic will be redirected down Huron and Water Streets. We want to make this a safe and enjoyable event for everyone!

Downtown Cheboygan truly becomes a “Halloween Town” on the day of Downtown Trick-or-Treating. Businesses transform their buildings into everything Halloween. Business owners and employees dress up for the occasion as well. It is fun checking out the kids’ costumes, but the adults really put in a lot of thought when it comes to their costumes of choice.
Make plans to celebrate Halloween early this year on October 29th in Downtown Cheboygan… ghoul be glad you did!!!

This spring, Downtown Cheboygan began circulating coupon booklets chock full of savings to Downtown retailers, eateries and entertainment venues. 2,000 of these savings booklets were printed and many were distributed this summer. There are a few remaining booklets, so stop by City Hall to pick up your copy today.

Over 30 businesses are advertising specials or discounts in the coupon booklets. These savings are either in the form of a specific percentage off a purchase or a dollar amount off a minimum purchase. Either way, the coupon booklets are a win/win! The shopper wins because they receive a multitude of savings from participating Downtown businesses. The business owner wins because for every redeemed coupon that comes through their front door, a customer is born or reacquainted with the business.

I challenge every coupon booklet holder to use each and every coupon. In some instances, you will be shopping or dining at a Downtown business that you already patron. In other instances, you may be a first-time customer to a Downtown establishment. Use this opportunity to familiarize yourself with ALL of the Downtown businesses. Some coupons have an expiration date of December 31st, so you will want to use those before it’s too late.

By redeeming a coupon to a Downtown business, you may discover a favorite new store or restaurant. Once you become a fan of a particular business, you will continue to patron that business. It is essential that we support the local businesses. Businesses survive by their reputation and repeat business which means you get a higher level of service with a personal touch. It matters to the business owner that you are satisfied and will come back again. Downtown proprietors are known for their stellar customer service. There is a variety of unique specialty shops and eateries; these businesses are an integral part of the Cheboygan character. When people visit Cheboygan, they look for places that offer them the sense of being somewhere special. We live here in the land of somewhere special; so please support your friends and neighbors businesses and let them know you appreciate them.

If the coupon program proves to be successful, I’m sure the retailers, restaurants, and entertainment venues will continue with another batch of coupons this winter. Help to ensure the success of this program by grabbing a coupon booklet and use it! Downtown coupon booklets are available at City Hall from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. Supplies are limited so get yours today!