BAY CITY, MI — So far this year, 10 new businesses have opened their doors in downtown Bay City, a refreshing change from what the city saw during the depths of the recent recession, said Candace Bales, executive director of the Bay City Downtown Management Board & Development Authority.
“It’s exciting to see so many new businesses,” Bales said.
Everything “kind of went on hold” downtown during the recession that hit in 2008, she said. Some businesses failed or simply closed down. But now, there’s new energy in the mix of restaurants, shops and retailers that help make up the downtown area.
Bales said it’s important to keep Bay City’s downtown vibrant.
“We are the center of commerce,” she said. “We’re downtown. We’re a mix of all kinds of businesses, not just retail and restaurants, which is what enables us to survive so well.”
Here’s a list of businesses that have opened in downtown Bay City so far this year:
- Jack’s Bicycle Shop, 207 Third St.
- Dockside, 1019 N. Water St.
- Rusty Saw Smokehouse, 1205 Washington Ave.
- Kumon Math & Reading Center, 928 Washington Ave.
- Glass Act, 707 Washington Ave.
- PoHatter’s, 1205 Washington Ave.
- Hidden Treasures Gift Boutique, 107 Fifth St.
- Blue Skies Photography, 107 Fifth St.
- Izzie’s on the Avenue, 805 Washington Ave.
- Survival Fitness, 512 Saginaw St.
Karen Schmidt is owner of Hidden Treasures, which opened in late June. She says now is the right time to open her business in downtown Bay City.
“It’s just going to get better, and this is really the time to come in,” Schmidt said. “The more going on in downtown, the better for everybody.”
Hidden Treasures Gift Boutique offers candles, outdoor furniture, jewelry, handbags, lotions, soaps and baby gifts, among other things.
Also located in Schmidt’s shop at 107 Fifth St. is Blue Skies Photography, owned by her daughter, Carrie Holka.
Prospective clients can see samples of Holka’s work, which includes wedding and graduation photography, and learn more at the shop.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Schmidt said both businesses should benefit from current Bay City building projects, such as Mill End Lofts. The $7.5 million retail, office and residential development is to feature first-floor retail and office space and two levels of residential space. It will open beginning in April 2014.
Izzie’s on the Avenue, Do-All’s newest storefront, offers re-purposed, painted and otherwise modified clothing, accessories and other creations made by students at Do-Art Studio & Gallery and area artists. Do-All is a nonprofit providing jobs and opportunities for the disabled.
“There is nothing like this in the area,” Assistant Gallery Manager Wende McSweyn said of Izzie’s.
Prices range from about $5 to $90, she said.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Survival Fitness opened in Saginaw in 2010 and now downtown Bay City has its own Survival Fitness, too.
Owner Matt Jarecki said downtown Bay City was the clear choice for the new location.
“I like the location a lot. I love downtown Bay City,” Jarecki said.
Both locations offer coach-led CrossFit classes—a style of training that incorporates gymnastics, traditional weight lifting, power lifting, running, biking, rowing, kettlebell sport and “blends them together into a pretty challenging, high intensity workout,” Jarecki said.
