Manesty – From COVID-19 to inflation, supply chain issues and workforce challenges, recent economic trends have caused problems for many local small businesses.
But despite these unfavorable conditions, entrepreneurs continue to launch their businesses in the region of Manistee and beyond.
The Manistee District Chamber of Commerce provided an economic development update in April, which lists a number of recent start-ups in downtown Manistee.
Part of the chamber’s April report reads: “We have sent a number of contacts from people who want to open or start a new business downtown.”
The chamber notes that eight new small businesses have opened in the downtown area since 2021.
purple paintbrush
This painting studio is the brainchild of Joanne Snee, who took first place in the 2020 Spark Manistee competition and helped pave the way for the opening of Purple Paintbrush in 2021.
Purple Paintbrush is located at 338 River St. In downtown Manistee.
Joann Snay’s art studio, Purple Paintbrush, opened for business on River Street in November 2021.
file imageclean tattoo lines
When Brandon Micam and Kelly Studd, co-owners of Clean Lines Tattoo, opened their business in 2021, it was the only tattoo parlor in town for more than a decade.
Clean Lines Tattoo is located at 336 River St. To reach Mecam for a piercing or tattoo consultation, call 231-655-9548.
From left) Tattoo artist Brandon Micam and co-owner of Clean Lines Tattoo Company Kelly Studt opened their business in June 2021.
file imageThree peas in a pod
Owned and operated by sisters Libby Zilk, Mickey Swinehart, and Frankie Raznick, this shop features artwork, crafts, holiday decorations, and home décor.
Three Peas in a Pod is located at 84 Cypress St.
Three Peas in a Pod owners (from left) Libby Zilke, Mickey Swinehart, and Frankie Rasnick opened their arts, crafts, and home décor store in 2021.
file imageManesty’s Hobbies
Manistee hobbies carry remote controlled cars, trucks, planes, helicopters, and boats; Spare parts and accessories. hobby kites metal detectors; Model missiles and plastic model kits.
The hobby shop is located at 415 River St.
Manistee carries hobby RC vehicles, parts and accessories as well as hobby kites, plastic model kits and more. The store opened in September 2021.
file imageRuddiblush Gallery
This art gallery, owned by Paulette Juncker, displays the work of a variety of artists and contains a wide type of artwork such as paintings, drawings, prints, pottery, sculpture, and more.
The Ruddiblush Gallery is located at 321 River St.
Paulette Juncker opens Ruddiblush Art Gallery, located at 321 River St. At Manistee, in 2021.
file imageDowntown Delights
Downtown Delights, an ice cream parlor in downtown Manistee, features shakes, malts, cups and cones, floats and specialty sundaes, and more.
The store is located in the aging former Manistee County Council Building, at 457 River St.
Downtown Delights of Manistee has been serving shakes, malts, cups, cones, floats, and specialty ice creams since August 2021.
file imageLake Town Art
William Seifert opened the Lake Town Art Gallery in March 2021.
Located at 390 River Street, the gallery features representative landscapes and more abstract works available for public viewing.
Lake Town Art Gallery opens at William Sievert at 390 River St. At Manistee since March 2021.
file imageP & L Sammich Barista
This cafe and sandwich opened in 2022 at 375 River St.
Owned and operated by Patricia Shick, P&L Sammich Barista aims to cater to more local eateries with her children, and specials from seniors and first birds.
Patricia Schick (left) and her assistant Elizabeth Carroll work the counter at P&L Sammich Barista. Shick launched a new sandwich shop in downtown Manistee in March.
file imageIn addition, the Chamber notes that the following three companies have recently relocated to the city center:
• Dwelling Realty, at 369 River St.
• Pamela Interiors, at 433 River Street. And
• Port City Emporium, at 354 River St.
Other businesses to open in 2021 and 2022 outside of the downtown area include AJ’s Pizzeria, Randoms Thrift & More, and a large number of marijuana dispensaries.
A 2022 report from Yelp found an 8% increase in business openings nationwide in 2021, up from 517,231 new business openings in 2020. Overall new business growth is just 1% down in 2021 from pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
In Michigan, there were 12,994 new business openings in 2021, an increase of 15.8% compared to 2020, when there were 11,220 new businesses.
According to County Business Patterns, a report by the United States Census, there were 7,936,977 small businesses in the United States in 2019, up from 7,890,857 in 2018.
The survey found that in 2019, the total number of establishments in the city of Manistee was 559, down 1% from the previous year.
In 2020, the city welcomed businesses including Rebel’s Sanctuary, a comic book store; Port City Emporium, which sells artwork and gifts; Miracle on River Street, a holiday boutique; and Millennial Décor, an interior decor company. Other new businesses include Essential Real Estate and Dunegrass, a marijuana retailer.
The Chamber encourages anyone looking to start or expand their business to reach out for assistance, or visit the Chamber’s website at manisteechamber.com.
