[SilverChalice]

I am looking for a place in Manistee where I can open a small boutique of sorts. I want to buy now so that I can be open for business next year for the summer tourists.

I've seen some Victorian style homes that are very reasonable. I'm wondering, however, with the economy being what it is, if it will be worth my time and effort. I still want to buy a second/summer home for our family to vacation in so I just wanted some input from those of you in the know.

Thanks for all your help! Oh, by the way, I grew up in Michigan and Texas is really not home for me. I feel as though the heat is just melting me.

[emilynurse]

Hello - I just got back from the Mainstee area. A friend of mine has a place near or in Wellston. It is god's country with a capital g. I really enjoyed Manistee, but wonder how many people are going up there. There was soooooo much property for sale up there. Many of the rental cabins had vacancies and this was over the holiday weekend. I was pretty surprised that there wasn't much traffic on the highway on monday in light of labor day. I wonder if people just can't afford to travel because of gas prices. I would love to have a place in Manistee too. I just don't know if it is a good idea. I didn't get good cell phone reception there and I am not sure whether or not you can easily get connected to the internet there. Dish network did not have anything available for internet connections there. Good luck.

[Bydand]

I'm South of Manistee in an even smaller community and connect at 10 Mb/sec and have the option to bump up to 16 if I want. I don't know when you were on the highway, but the road between Scottville and Manistee was a solid line of vehicles Monday afternoon. I went North toward Manistee around 1 PM and had a hard time turning West off US 31 due to every type RV's Cars, and Trucks pulling campers. If you can get satellite internet anyplace, you can also get it in West Michigan. It is available, but expensive, just like everyplace else you hook up through either Dish, DirectTV, or Hughes (or whatever they are going by now). I can tell you it has been a busy year with tourism in this area. Not too sure what type boutique you are thinking of, but you would have to really do your homework on that type business. Ludington has been busier than Manistee the last few years I know of. Might want to check that area out as well. Good Luck no matter what you choose.

[SilverChalice]

Thank you both for your input. I am definitely doing my research on this that's for sure. The shop would be open during the summer months only for the tourists...like May through end of September or thereabouts.

As long as I can remember, it has always gotten busy up there during the summer months. Ludington would also be a good place that I could work with. I really miss being up there. It is absolutely gorgeous. Like a little piece of heaven on earth.

Yes, I agree that internet would be easy to access; especially in a place where so many tourists visit each year. It costs a lot of money here in Texas as well but I still pay for it. Nothing like high speed internet connection. I don't know how I lived with the dial-up service many years ago.

Again, thank you both for your input, I certainly appreciate it.

[ltrucks]

Manistee has recently joind the State Main Street Program is getting more aggressive in supporting local businesses. There are a number of programs designed to assist people in renovating business, including historic tax credits, brownfield programs, rehabilitation of obsolete buildings, facade restorations, etc. The downtown area is very picturesque and had a beautiful riverwalk winding along the entire downtown area. Business is somewhat seasonal, but opportunities exist for year around business. Virtually all of the downtown businesses stay open year around. Check out Manistee.com and Michigan's Great Outdoors.

[MLanglois-Carinio]

I grew up in Manistee. I was always in Ludington and Scottville. I am planning after being in Hawaii since 1989 to return home and open a small business. There is alot of tourists going through up to Canada. I believe with the right advertisment, anything is possible. I know they have Cell phone reception, my family there has one as well as internet connection with no problem. I just need to find places suitable for my business. I am looking I guess near the airport, or between Scottsville and Manistee, on that lonely stretch of highway. It would be nice to get some information. you can contact me at michelle.carinio@va.gov Thanks