11/30/2023
Another project we had the pleasure to be part of! We love Cheboygan!
Daily Amazement
Properties along Cheboygan’s Main Street continue to see renovation. Melody’s Lane & The Book Store is one of the latest projects with a new look inside. The most recent step of the Steffin Building reinvention was completed last week, the retail space. There have been plans for this step for almost six years, so it has been a long process.
As Mel and I are looking forward to beginning our 14th year in Cheboygan we are doing it in a freshly updated space. It still might take us a couple weeks to get the place reset but it has all been worth it. This undertaking really kicked in about a year ago when we were awarded a Match on Main Grant, and then the project moved forward.
First, however, the 5 new apartments in the building needed to be completed. Those were finished at the end of August with the tenants moving in shortly after. So that was a lot of waiting, not sure if the shop redo was ever going to start. Workmen rolled in on the 9th of October and left on October 19th. This was an incredible undertaking, and the result is amazing. In this time frame, everything was painted, new flooring installed, new lighting and electrical throughout, and even built in shelving. I also know that it is important to many customers, all the unique tin detail was kept throughout, in fact some was repaired.
I have to say that this entire building renovation has been done by Brian Fleming and First Contracting. Those of you who know the people that run this family-owned business know how amazing they really are. Over the last couple of years, I have gotten to know several of them very well, and the words “Thank You” will never be enough. First Contracting has done several projects in Cheboygan with more to come. They are a real asset to the community in so many ways.
The final step of the renovation will have to wait until spring. That is the painting and finishing of the outside. This is waiting due to the weather and the desire for it to get the same attention that the interior got.
Now we need to talk about our customers and the community. The last six weeks have not been the way many of us thought a record setting summer would end. The closure of Main Street because of the Tissue Plant fire dramatically reduced customer traffic downtown. Well, part of being in business is learning how to deal with curve balls that get thrown at you. Many of our customers made it a point to take inconvenient detours to visit us downtown. They came to check on us to see how we were handling everything, but more importantly, they came to be “customers,” truly touching our hearts, giving us sales just because they wanted to make sure that we were supported.
So, we are getting ready for the holidays and all the events that are on their way: Ladies Night, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Hospitality Night and of course the Christmas Parade. Thank you, Cheboygan, for all the support through the remodel and the past 13 years, as we look towards the future!
Kevin and Melody Kemper have lived in the Cheboygan area for the last 14 years. They own and run Melody’s Lane & The Book Store in downtown Cheboygan. They have both been in retail for over 40 years. Their favorite part of their business and working in retail is the customers.
