More dining and shopping in the fresh air PROBLEM: MARQUETTE'S DOWNTOWN businesses have been devastated this spring because of the economic shutdown. Further, even as the economy opens up, the stores and restaurants will face severe restrictions on the numbers of customers they can serve. And worse, many potential ... Continue Reading
UP Businesses Big and Small: Getting Help but Facing the Unknown
IT'S DIFFICULT TO find anybody in the Upper Peninsula--individuals, businesses, institutions, or non profits--who hasn't been crippled economically by the COVID-19 shutdown. The big boys have gotten most of the headlines. Namely... Cleveland Cliffs, with 700 workers soon to be laid for two months because of reduced ... Continue Reading
Hanging Tough and Helping Out in Tough Times
"OUR CREW HAS been absolutely amazing. No days off, they're all working overtime. Last week was crazy but we're hoping we'll be able to recover in the next week." The words of Mike Lavigne, the store manager at Super One in Marquette Township. And he says, yes, they will be looking to hire some new employees in the weeks ... Continue Reading
Closures, Restrictions Mount
"I'VE NEVER SEEN anything like it, " says Zach Quinnell, the store manager for Econo Foods in Marquette. "I wouldn't call it panic but we've been very busy." He's right. You walk in the store the last few days and there's three or four customers in every line even in mid-afternoon, but the store is not being overrun by ... Continue Reading
Vista Restoration, Smartzone Retirement, Grandview Vacancies, and Praise for Vango’s, Jean Kay’s, and Elizabeth’s
MARQUETTE HAS TO be envious. Its next door neighbor, Negaunee, has a classic old theater which is still in use, and now finally, it's getting some TLC. Consider this: Over the last two years, the Vista Theater and the annex, which date back to 1926, have gotten some sorely needed repairs to the roof and the back wall, ... Continue Reading