MY FAMILY AND I STAYED THE NIGHT in our own private, old-fashioned candy shop—Gunther’s General Store in East Jordan. Our well-appointed living room and bedroom were part of a beautiful renovation capturing the remarkable history of what was once a working general store, complete with swivel stools at the counter, penny candy and an old-fashioned cash register. Already want to book a stay? Don’t worry, this story will wait for you while you arrange your own trip to East Jordan.photo by A13 Studios
OK, all booked?
Great. Here’s the story of a Depression-era general store run by a single mom working to help her family and community, and the modern-day family picking up that legacy of building and sustaining a strong community.
Gunther’s General Store is the beginning of a community revitalization project, led by an extremely thoughtful and capable local woman named Forest Rebecca Gotts, her husband, Rick, and her up-for-the-challenge family that includes five children. The general store was renovated with history at its heart and the help of 90-year-old Elaine Dvoracek (her maiden name is Gunther), who was raised there.
With their candy shop-turned-Airbnb rental now completed, Rebecca and Rick are going on to renovate a handful of historical buildings in East Jordan—including a marina and a future tap house with an antique boat and woodworking shop. They’ve also opened a new waterside wedding venue and completed two houses, which are available for rent. “We want to make sure the project is going to help East Jordan in the future,” Rebecca emphasizes. “That means seeing a future for East Jordan that includes places for people to enjoy both the history and the landscape.”
Denne historien er fra February 2021-utgaven av Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra February 2021-utgaven av Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Camping With Your Dog
Bringing your dog on your next outdoor overnight excursion? Oh, yes! With a little planning, your canine companion will enjoy camping just as much as you. These Northern Michigan spots are perfectly pet-friendly.
SWEET ON THE BETSIE
JENA MATZEN AND GREGG TRAHEY WEREN’T LOOKING FOR A BIG HOME UP NORTH. BUT THEY DID WANT STYLE.
REFRESH IN BLUE AND WHITE
ASKED TO MOVE A HARBOR SPRINGS HOME FROM TRADITIONAL TO TRANSITIONAL STYLE, INTERIOR DESIGNER GEMMA PARKER BUILT ON THE FRESH, TIMELESS ALLURE OF BLUE AND WHITE.
MAKING CONNECTIONS
Explore Emmet and Cheboygan counties by foot, bike or hoof, thanks to this scenic trail.
Please, eat the violets.
The wild violets that dot our forest floors are pretty enough to eat. Go ahead—let our six simple recipes fuel your culinary imagination.
OASIS ON ELK LAKE
ARCHITECT KEN RICHMOND DESIGNS A HOME THAT CAPTURES THE CARIBBEAN COLORS OF ELK LAKE WHILE FEELING COMPLETELY ORGANIC TO THE NORTHWOODS.
LOSS AND NATURE
Leelanau's Cedar River Preserve provides peace and perspective.
GO WITH THE FLOW
Celebrating an unconventional trout opener among friends.
CHAMPION OF TREES
Archangel Ancient Tree Archive is the “most hopeful project on the planet,” says David Milarch.
DINING OUT NEAPOLITAN, BUT WITH STYLE
American House—the Siren Hall spinoff—is making darn good pizza.
