It’s been a busy little springtime in the local real estate market. Troy La Count bought Klooster’s Eastport Service, Mike Collins bought the old Township Hall–I’ll tell you more about both of those tomorrow.
Here is a house that is 4 Sale in Elk Rapids. Built in 1869, on the National Register, very appealing. A very short walk to the beach, the library, the nice little shops and restaurants on River Street. Cool neighbors.
Here is a business that is 4 Sale in Torch Lake Village. Completely redone in 2001, immortalized on Torch Lake Views, a very short walk to the Bill Good Day Park on Torch Lake. Known far and wide for the quality of the meats and cheeses, the excellent treats . . . and the stories.
I’ve been driving past the sign for days thinking nothing of it. Fresh fish and chicken salad 4 sale. OK. But Sonny says no, they mean the whole place is 4 sale, including the fresh fish and the chicken salad. He and Chris had the most wonderful relaxing winter. They’re looking forward to a good summer, too, but they know they don’t want to run the market forever. So the Market is on the market.
Who says bloggers never bring you hard news?
Torch Lake Views 
Sybil
April 21, 2011
OK. I’ll bite. How much for the house ?
Gerry
April 21, 2011
I went and looked it up, and it’s listed at $350,000. I know zip-all about the current market, but that was less than I would have guessed. Maybe I’m just a sucker for historic buildings. OK, no maybe about it. I just can’t resist them.
P.j. grath
April 22, 2011
That house is GORGEOUS! Can’t you just see it with grandchildren tumbling all over the porch and yard? As for Sonny and Chris, most people would like to enjoy a little retirement after years of hard work, and who can blame them? We are gradually seeing younger people step into the shoes of their Northport elders, and it’s heartwarming. Thanks for the news, Gerry.
Gerry
April 22, 2011
But, but . . . OK, I could live with that, but only if the younger generation did take over. The unbearable possibility would be that the Torch Lake Market would become just another party store.
thedailyclick
April 22, 2011
What a beautiful house!
I’d like to slap a For Sale sign on my teenager! 😛
Gerry
April 22, 2011
Send her up here to work in the cherry orchards and processing plants for the summer. She will be a changed teenager when she gets home. But I am sure there is a mom up here who wants to send one off to you in exchange. Being Mom is about as thankless a task as Being President, but somebody has to do it, and the rewards can be pretty wonderful, even if they take a generation or two to become apparent.
Margaret Learner
April 22, 2011
I once took a photo of the Elk Harbor Inn sign: Pork Chop Ice Cream :@) the smiles mine.
Gerry
April 23, 2011
I love signs like that! If you can find the photo you should publish it in Clearwater Press.
Fee
April 23, 2011
Holy cow, that’s cheap. £212k for a house that nice? Himself wants to know how far to the nearest golf course?
Makes me realise that even after the ‘crash’ property is so over-valued here – one of the many downsides of city life.
Gerry
April 23, 2011
Well, keep in mind that the house is an old frame house that has been used as a bed and breakfast and before that a boarding house, and that although it has had a lot of work done on it there is more to be accomplished. Still, I was surprised. It really is every bit as pretty as it looks in the photo.
I know I place our friendship in jeopardy by admitting it, but I, um, do not golf. However, I do shamelessly promote Michigan tourism, and I can direct you to excellent golfing opportunities within ten minutes of that house: the Elk Rapids Golf Club (9 holes), A-Ga-Ming (two 18-hole courses) and the three signature courses at Grand Traverse Resort (The Bear by Jack Nicklaus, The Wolverine by Gary Player, and Spruce Run by William Newcomb). There are many others. One of the hazards of walks in northern Michigan is that one might wander unwittingly onto a golf course and twist an ankle in one of those nasty little holes.
Let me know when you’re coming to inspect the house. You can drop Himself off at A-Ga-Ming on your way to Chris and Sonny’s Torch Lake Market. We can have breakfast and go for a boat ride on Torch Lake.
Fee
April 23, 2011
I’ve survived 22 years of marriage without the remotest knowledge of golf (beyond ‘waste of a good walk’ routines) so we’d get along just fine, Gerry. It’s one of the other downsides of this part of the world – the sheer number of courses just waiting for Himself (and his equally deluded friends) all within easy reach.
Gerry
April 23, 2011
Excellent. The breakfast and boat trip for us then.
Beth Toner
April 25, 2011
OMG Joe would die — that’s exactly the kind of thing he’d like to run. Two years too early, Gerry, two years too early!!
Gerry
April 25, 2011
You never know. Some properties await a special owner. I had no idea Joe dreamed of being an inn-keeper. When you are here this summer you can scout the terrain, talk to some people, get a feel for it.
Alternatively you can open a home for old bats and I’ll move in. My knees and my stairs are disputing with each other.