As stated before, Northern Michigan has my heart. I grew up there, and going back home especially during the colder months slams nostalgia in my face. We went up to help with a fundraiser dinner for my sister’s school where she’s the principal. (Great job on a stellar event, Sis!!)
When everyone was at school, we decided to hit the streets and head over to the quaint town of Petoskey. There you’ll find cute boutique shops, delicious restaurants, and “toasty” cafe’s. (Among other great finds!)
- Johan’s Bakery
565 W Mitchell St, Petoskey, MI 49770
Here you’ll find MASSIVE, mouthwatering cinnamon rolls, and a vast array of doughnuts, pies, and pastries. They have a few locations around the Northern Michigan area, and you can even find their famous J-buns at Nubs Nob during the ski season when you hit the slopes.
- Roast & Toast Coffee and Café
309 E Lake St, Petoskey, MI 49770
Look for the colorful coffee mug arch along Lake Street and there you’ll find a cozy cafe! Not only is the name adorable, but they also have fantastic drink combinations! (Along with amazing soups and sandwiches, but we saved our rumbling bellies for another place to spread out the fun.) Warm Chaider is probably one of the best things I’ve ever tasted, and I’m desperate to make our own! (We’ll share the recipe when we go to it!) Ask for Hillary, the best barista in the joint, and she’ll take care of you. Tell her Kate sent you 😉 You can also buy their roasted coffee beans to have an incredible cup of coffee at home.
- Window Shopping and Actually Shopping
Growing up in Cheboygan gave us few places to Christmas shop, so my mom would often take us over to do some shopping in Petoskey. Walking back into the stores made me want to through all budgets out the window and scoop up everything adorable item I saw.
Stores to check out: (there are sooooo many, but these are the one’s we’ll showcase this round)
Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts – 301 E Lake St, Petoskey, MI 49770
Assorted unique gifts ranging from Michigan gear, gag gifts, kid toys, cabin decor, Minnetonka moccasins, leather gloves, etc. So much to shop! My favorite? The Pendleton green, red, and yellow striped blanket that I shamelessly hinted at The Chef as a Christmas present for moi.
The Rocking Horse Toy Co. – 210 Howard St, Petoskey, MI 49770
Fun kid toys and games for all ages! Including a roll out piano that my daughter was obsessed with and demanded I held her so she could play it for 15+ minutes.
Bearcub Outfitters – 321 E Lake St, Petoskey, MI 49770
Patagonia threw up in here and it’s wonderful. It brought some of it’s other trendy friends along and has sizes ranging from babies- adults. Winter gear, camping crap, shoes, hats, socks, freeze dried strawberries… You need it outside? They have it.
Cutler’s Kitchen Decor – 2412, 216 Howard St, Petoskey, MI 49770
You want the whole line of Le Creuset? And a fish water pitcher in every color? Or some other kitchen tool you didn’t know you needed until you walked in? This store is for you. When The Chef walks through that door, I can hear his wallet screaming.
Symon’s General Store – 401 E Lake St, Petoskey, MI 49770
Read below of why I love this place…. This gets it’s own bullet point.
- Symon’s General Store
401 E Lake St, Petoskey, MI 49770
You walk in to the original (probably) creaking hard wood floors, that are their own bit of character to the building. Surrounding you are rows of food that you would want at any and all dinner parties/ get togethers. Posh jams and jellies, different nuts and crackers that you won’t find in your supermarket down the road. Fine wines and liquors climb all the way to the top of the ceiling. Candies in glass containers are organized in stadium styled rows, and every child’s eyes instantly grow bigger than their stomach. Then a cheese counter that contains cheese from all over the world begs you to take home a slice of each and make the best darn cheese board you’ve ever made in your life. All of this leads up to a menu for sandwiches. Not just sandwiches. The best kept secret sandwiches that presumably exists in the tip of the Mitt. Top notch ingredients. Handmade to order.
Let me tell you a story. The Chef was ordering an italian sandwich (his go to, and he says this is the best one he’s had in a while), when Jeremiah pipes up and says he wanted a sandwich too. I tell him that he probably won’t like anything on the menu because they don’t have just sandwiches with turkey and cheese. I tell him they do have a turkey sandwich but it has goats cheese and pest on it. “I like goat’s cheese” he replies. “Especially from France.”
‘Scuse me what? I can barely get this kid to eat his packed lunch for school unless it’s PB&J.
A few bites in… “This sandwich is fantastic!” he exclaims!
Me: “Do I need to start making you a turkey sandwich with goats cheese and pesto?”
Jer:”….. WHY DIDN’T WE THINK OF THAT BEFORE?!”
So… that happened. I’m raising Frasier.
As per usual, I don’t exist on these family trips because I’m the one snapping the photos. I’m just a ghost that writes these blogs.
OMG I’m Ghostwriter!!
Remember, a bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than a steak with someone you hate. -Proverbs 15:17 -The Everyday Chef and Wife-
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