IT'S BEEN A busy first few weeks for Marquette Mountain's new general manager Andrew Farron. Big races, big crowds, and some changes after the abrupt departure of former GM Frank Malette. First, (and not necessarily in importance), Jim and Ray, the popular local singing duo, are back playing at the T-Bar (the name Carp River Saloon was discarded). Farron has Jim and Ray playing every other Thursday and Sunday. And there's a reason for that. "We compared the weeks when they play and when they don't, and frankly it's a wash financially," Farron says. Meaning they're selling more food and drink when the duo plays, but that increase is … [Read more...]
Marquette Mountain Prepares for Massive Crowd
Photo: Kristian Saile ANDREW FARRON, THE brand new general manager at Marquette Mountain, is facing his first major challenge this weekend. Young skiers from all over the Midwest--400 to 500 of them--are descending on the Mountain for the Bob Hosking Memorial races from Friday through Sunday. It'll be one of the biggest race weekends here in the last several years. In addition, the junior skiers are bringing their families, so expect 1200-1500 people to pack the mountain, and of course, Marquette, as well. "The lodge is going to be overloaded, we're going to run out of parking spaces, and we'll be closing down some of the runs for … [Read more...]
New GM Named at Marquette Mountain
(Photo: Cory Genovese) AFTER WEEKS OF controversy and dissension on Marquette Mountain, Frank Malette is out as general manager, and 27 year old Andrew Farron, a mechanical engineer, is in. The announcement was made at 3 pm Monday afternoon. Farron and Marquette Mountain owner Pete O'Dovero had been having discussions about the change over the last couple of weeks. Farron, who's been working at Integrated Designs (IDI) in Marquette, concedes he, like his immediate predecessor, has no experience running a ski hill, but he has successfully managed dozens of commercial and industrial projects. And he's a committed and active … [Read more...]
A Winter of Discontent
MARQUETTE MOUNTAIN WAS flush with optimism at the start of the ski season. New snowmaking equipment, new LED lights, cheaper season and daily tickets, longer hours, a new general manager, and an early winter. November was cold. Perfect. Not quite. "What a s--t show." That's a recent quote from a skier on Marquette Mountain's "unofficial" Facebook page. It's a forum for skiers to criticize, suggest, and comment on what's happening on Marquette Mountain. Mostly to criticize. They've had plenty to criticize this season. As of Tuesday, January 8th, only one of three ski lifts was operating. And that one, Snowfield, had gone down … [Read more...]
Marquette’s Changing Skyline
AFTER A FEW delays, the move-in date for the first residents at the brand new One Marquette Place on the lakeshore has now been set for January 2nd. That'll include residents on the first and second floors, along with some on the third. The rest of the residents on the upper floors will all be able to move in by February 1st. This, according to architect and partner Barry Polzin. Polzin says more than 50% of the high rise apartments have been pre-leased. But One Marquette Place is just the start of a complex of buildings along the lake. Two Marquette Place is next. It'll be located between One Marquette Place and the … [Read more...]
The Crib is Opening, and the Mountain is Getting Ready
SO YOU'RE THINKING we need another coffee shop in town. Good news. The Crib, brought to you by the producers of Crappie Coffee, opens Thursday at the corner of Third Street and Arch. For the last several months, they've been restoring and renovating a building more than a century old, and the results are impressive. A handsome space, two floors, comfortable and varied seating. Nice lighting. The kind of place where you wouldn't mind spending an hour or two. Pastries, as well. The Crib's also in the process of obtaining a license for wine and beer--Surprise, surprise! That's taking longer than expected--and it'll likely be a … [Read more...]
Landmark Inn News, Marquette Mountain Biking, Pictured Rocks Cruises, a Warm Summer, a Hideous Algae Bloom, New Construction in Ishpeming, Beacon House Party, Lumi Album Release
SOMETHING NEW IS coming to the top floor of the Landmark Inn. Matt Mering, the director of development for Graves Hospitality which owns the hotel, won't say what exactly except that it's going to be a pretty big deal. It'll be something new that will also honor the past, he says. We'll know more about it in the next couple of weeks. The top floor currently houses the tiny but much-in-demand Northstar Lounge, the Sky Room (a banquet room), a small fitness room, and some guest rooms. It also features arguably the best and most panoramic view in Marquette. Graves has recently sunk $750,000 into upgrading the bathrooms at the … [Read more...]
Changes on the Mountain
A FEW DAYS ago, Marquette Mountain general manager Jesie Melchiori announced via Facebook that she was no longer employed by Marquette Mountain. No reason given. Seemed like it was unexpected. We'd just talked to her two weeks ago about her plans for the upcoming volleyball season. An attempt by WOTS to contact her about what happened has failed so far. Now comes word from O'Dovero Properties which owns the ski hill. They are "restructuring their operations effective immediately." Further: "We are in the process of building an experienced team to operate all divisions of the Mountain; to include food and beverage, rentals, special … [Read more...]
Contrast Considering Ishpeming, a Major Development for Downtown, Homeless Advocates Scouting Other Towns, Westwood Mall in Transition, Blackrocks Booming, Cold Spell Coming to the Mountain, and Ashley Fure Wows the Critics
A CONTRAST COFFEE coming to Ishpeming? It's a possibility. The owners of the growing UP coffee company have been looking around Ishpeming recently for possible locations, according to Alex Fields, the manager of the newly opened Contrast Coffee in Marquette. No specific location identified yet, but they like the area for expansion and think it would make sense to have a second location in Marquette County. Contrast has two other shops in Iron River and Ironwood. Fields says the reception Contrast has received in Marquette has surprised even him. First month revenue was up 20% over what he expected. TALK ABOUT FAITH in the … [Read more...]
Barrel and Beam Prepares to Brew, Parking Meters Bring in Cash, Mine Closure Not So Bad, Entrepreneurship Up, One Woman Bakery Is Busy, Change at WJMN, Snow Guns Ready at the Mountain, and a Free Meal Downtown
BARREL AND BEAM will be brewing up its first batch of beer next week. No, you won't be able to drink it yet. Nick VanCourt and Marina Dupler, the husband and wife team who own Barrel and Beam, plan to open the niche brewery the week between Christmas and New Years. Note the word "plan." Unexpected delays can occur. Still they're ready. They'll be brewing four farmhouse and barrel-aged ales for distribution to about 50 stores and bars around the central UP and in the Green Bay area. Nick describes the beers as dry, aromatic, and Belgian-influenced. They'll sell for $4.50 and $5.50 a bottle. Additional brews will be available at the … [Read more...]