CHANGES IN THE works for Munising, and yes, they include a new coffee shop.
Out-of-state developer Darrin Hubbard and his local partner Tom Dolaskie had originally planned to open up a “speakeasy” next to their Roam retail store on Elm Avenue. No more.
Now, it’s going to become the Gallery Coffee Company, complete with freshly roasted coffee, a comfortable seating area… and massive, top-quality photographs of some of the most picturesque spots in the U.P.
“I want people to stand next to these photographs and feel like they’re actually standing next to a lighthouse on Lake Superior,” Dolaskie says.
Smaller photographs will be available for sale, or for customers wanting to buy the massive photos, those can be shipped out.
Plans are to open up the new coffee shop in July.
The question’s gotta be asked: Why another coffee shop when Falling Rock Cafe is right down the street?
Dolaskie says there’s room for both and they’ll be different. Falling Rock has an extensive food menu and shelves of books. Gallery Coffee will be gourmet coffee, baked goods, and photographs. The coffee, by the way, will also be distributed to retail outlets in the UP later this year.
Eh Burger in Munising is now serving pre-mixed margaritas and bloody marys with its burgers ad fries.
Now, the other news in the Dolaskie/Hubbard partnership is that their Eh Burger restaurant down the street is now serving readymade margaritas and bloody marys. They’ve got a liquor license there.
And finally: Downstairs at Eh Burger, they’ve got a space which they intend to turn in to their “speakeasy.” It’ll just be smaller than what they had originally planned. Dolaskie says the space, without much natural light, might be similar in atmosphere to Lagniappe. Construction schedule here is uncertain. Maybe starting later this year.
In the meantime, enjoy your burger and margarita upstairs.
A BIG 5K race coming up at Presque Isle on June 8th.
It’s the culmination of the season for the Girls on the Run program in Marquette and throughout the UP.
If you don’t know about Girls on the Run, here’s why it’s important.
“They’re prepubescent girls, there’s a lot going on in their lives. they’re learning life skills,” says Sloan Dorr, the program director. “We teach them to live healthy. We teach them about avoiding bullying and gossiping.”
And they train them to get out and run.
They’re third through fifth graders in Marquette. fifth through seventh in Ishpeming.
The nationwide program started in 1996; it’s been here for the last two years, and it’s growing. Twenty-nine girls involved in Marquette this year, double last year’s number. Twelve in Ishpeming, 20 in Houghton, 20 in Hancock, 12 in Hannahville.
The race on June 8th is for them but the program wants everyone to run with them. A community run. Entry fees go to support these girls who, early in life, are learning about empowerment, self-confidence, and healthy living.
Girl power. Women power.