Summer is upon us! Weather is warming up over the next few weeks, Downtown Manistee will start to see an influx of visitors, tourists, and locals returning to the lakeshore. Please remember that we business owners and staff are the community's ambassadors to visitors and customers alike. There will be important information to pass along regarding event details, happenings, and recommendations to other businesses.

This is an excellent time of the year to consider what we want Downtown Manistee to look like. Welcoming? Clean? Visually attractive? One of the roles of the Manistee DDA is to promote a beautiful and identifiable downtown.

In an effort to do so, please consider the following questions:

We want to recognize and express appreciation for all the facade and signage updates Downtown Manistee is seeing so far this year! Both Blue Fish Kitchen + Bar and Snyder's Shoes are recipients of the Manistee DDA Facade Grant, and shoutout to other businesses investing in their exterior: NU 2 U Resale (painting), Manistee Elks (LED sign), Surroundings (new vinyl on the windows), and many more.

Together, we can make Downtown Manistee the ideal place to shop, dine, stay, and play this summer.

Sincerely,

Open for business from 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., offering delicious handmade gourmet chocolates, candies, and ice cream.

Visit them today at 378 River Street, Manistee, MI, or follow them on Facebook for updates!

Open for business from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., offering consignment and retail items. We sell greeting cards, gifts, and furniture.

Visit them today at 303 First Street, Manistee, MI, or follow them on Facebook for updates!

Open for business from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., offering consignment and retail items. We sell greeting cards, gifts, and furniture.

Visit them today at 303 First Street, Manistee, MI, or follow them on Facebook for updates!

Did you open a business downtown? Please let us know by emailing your business description and hours to cassidy@manisteechamber.com! We will include your business in the next newsletter.

If you get an error code when trying to join a scheduled Zoom meeting, please visit Support.Zoom.us to diagnose the issue. In the meantime try the following:

June 8th: Budweiser Clydesdales hosted by Ludington Beverage Co.

Join us on Thursday, June 8th from 5:00 - 7:00, at First Street Beach / Douglas Park area for a viewing of the world-renowned Budweiser Clydesdales right here in Manistee!

As a promotional idea, please consider a special on Budweiser products for June 8th! If this is something your business is willing to participate in, contact cassidy@manisteechamber.com to be added to the event promotion/description.

🇺🇸 09:00 AM - Trinity Lutheran Cemetery on Merkey/Maple Road

🇺🇸 10:00 AM - Memorial Day Parade. Beginning at the corner of Division St. & River St. and ending at the bandshell on Veteran's Drive a.k.a. Veteran's Memorial Park.

Special thanks to Manistee Proud for washing the gazebo and walkways, and re-painting the letters in the grass in preparation for this event.

🇺🇸 11:00 AM - Oak Grove Cemetery. Held immediately following the conclusion of the parade speeches and ceremony at Veteran's Memorial Park.

Please consider joining our local veterans' groups on Memorial Day, May 29th, as we remember and pay tribute to all who served. Organized by the United Veterans Council, Manistee County VA, and partners.

Interested in adding a float to the parade? Contact Keith Graham from the UVC at kg246ar@hotmail.com, or Rick Rowe from the Manistee County Veterans Affairs at rrowe@manisteecountymi.gov.

June 19th: DEADLINE to register for the Independence Day Parade

The Independence Day Parade has been a yearly tradition since the 1930s, and 2023 is no exception. The route will begin at the corner of Division St. and River St., then follow River St. out to the Armory. We will be joined by the 338th Army Band, Scottville Clown Band, and local businesses and schools.

HUGE thank you to our parade sponsors, Edward Jones: Financial Advisor Jeff Reau, and Spicer Group, Inc. for bringing us this year's Independence Day Parade.

DO YOU HAVE AN EVENT PLANNED FROM JUNE 29 - JULY 4TH?

The Manistee National Forest Festival is hosted by the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce, and attracts upwards of 30,000 visitors per year! We want to ADD your business, organization, or non-profit event to our online event schedule.

Let us know what you're planning! SUBMIT YOUR EVENT (June 29 - July 4) FOR CONSIDERATION NOW.

What you can expect this coming summer! New look, new connectivity.

The Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce, acting as the Manistee DDA, is bringing an updated look to The 'Stee Social District. Without giving away too many details, it's going to be BIG! For now, please encourage customers and guests to utilize the 'Stee Social District (open from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) and purchase a drink from one of the current participating businesses:

Within the text of your post, remember to tag (@DowntownManistee)! This will get your post recognized and considered to be shared on the Downtown Manistee Facebook.

Please note, not every post that tags @DowntownManistee can be shared without spamming those following the page. The Manistee DDA determines which posts are shared, highlighting the collaboration of businesses downtown, promotion of the community, and benefit all the downtown district businesses. Tag us TODAY!

Manistee Proud has been busy fundraising for the 2023 Marina Project! To date, there has been $9,000 raised from the downtown businesses. The love and generosity have been simply amazing! 

And the Manistee Downtown Development Authority, a Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce role, has just contributed $11,000 to the project.

This OFFICIALLY brings the project's $20,000 goal for the marina campaign a reality! 

The Boater's Clubhouse is getting a fresh coat of paint...windows, trim, and walls. Furniture and accessories have been chosen and are being ordered as we speak. The brand new patio is getting a brand new gas grill and brand new Adirondack tables and chairs. We are raising the bar!

Be sure to check out Manistee Proud's Facebook and Instagram pages. Much love and many thanks to everyone who saw, understood, and contributed to the vision!

As announced in the Manistee News Advocate, the Memorial Bridge with be undergoing some renovations by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) during the spring and summer months of 2023.

The detour route is highlighted on the map to the right. Signage is being overseen by the Manistee County Visitor's Bureau in partnership with the City of Manistee.

If you have any questions, please contact Kelly Greve at kgreve@manisteemi.gov.