~ WALLOON LAKE GENERAL STORE
AND
MERRILL COTTAGE/SUNSET LODGE ~
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The Renwick Building in 2023
AND
MERRILL COTTAGE/SUNSET LODGE ~
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The Renwick Building in 2023
Please do not copy the photos on this site, many of which have been submitted by private individuals...
just come back and visit the site often to view the photos.
The design and compilation of the text and photos on this site are copyrighted 2014.
just come back and visit the site often to view the photos.
The design and compilation of the text and photos on this site are copyrighted 2014.
Walloon Lake resident Dawn Sarasin is providing photos of the construction of the Renwick Building to be posted at the bottom of this same web page in a slideshow format; to be updated continuously. Scroll to the bottom of this web page to Click on PLAY in the upper corner of main photo to view the slideshow. Then, check back periodically to view the progress.
Walloon Lake General Store and Merrill Cottage/Sunset Lodge ~ Old Postcard Submitted from the Collection of Ross Renwick
Walloon Lake Village General Store Ownerships Over the Years
Contact this web master with any corrections or additional information about the owners below by clicking HERE.
Contact this web master with any corrections or additional information about the owners below by clicking HERE.
1904: The store was built by Alfred Hass Sr. (old Koneta building?)
1907: FIRE store burned, Koneta moved
1908: W.H. Ransom
1926: Mr. Wilson and Mr. Lot of Detroit
1928: L.A. Spalding
1946: Ross Renwick (son-in-law of L.A. Spalding)
1963: Village Development Corporation (Jerry Fineout, Alfred Hass, William McTaggert (Flint Attorney) bought out Ross.
1971: Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Schach ~ FIRE
Tom and Carol McCloud
Corporation (Wally Stover, Larry Rellinger, Alan Cameron, Steve Dutton & Mike Waterman to DNR threat)
Matt and Linda Waterman
1998: Calvin and Linda Penfold purchased from Matt and Linda Waterman. (Changed the name to Walloon Village General Store and Deli. Linda Penfold had managed the store the previous 16 years.
1907: FIRE store burned, Koneta moved
1908: W.H. Ransom
1926: Mr. Wilson and Mr. Lot of Detroit
1928: L.A. Spalding
1946: Ross Renwick (son-in-law of L.A. Spalding)
1963: Village Development Corporation (Jerry Fineout, Alfred Hass, William McTaggert (Flint Attorney) bought out Ross.
1971: Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Schach ~ FIRE
Tom and Carol McCloud
Corporation (Wally Stover, Larry Rellinger, Alan Cameron, Steve Dutton & Mike Waterman to DNR threat)
Matt and Linda Waterman
1998: Calvin and Linda Penfold purchased from Matt and Linda Waterman. (Changed the name to Walloon Village General Store and Deli. Linda Penfold had managed the store the previous 16 years.
~ Ransom General Store and Sunset Lodge ~
Alfred E. Hass sold the Koneta store to W.H. Ransom who owned it in the photo below.
Next, the building sold to Wilson & Lot, before it sold to L.A. Spalding.
Next, the building sold to Wilson & Lot, before it sold to L.A. Spalding.
6 July 1908 ~ Petoskey Evening News
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6 July 1909 ~ Petoskey Evening News
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8 July 1908 ~ The Daily Resorter & Petoskey Evening News
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2 July 1910 ~ Petoskey Evening News
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The 6 July 1909 Petoskey Evening News stated: Mr. Ransom is owner and manager of Sunset Lodge again this year, and is ready to welcome all old patrons and many new ones. The usual good service will be found here, special chicken dinners being given every Sunday." |
7 July 1910 ~ Petoskey Evening News
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7 July 1910 ~ Petoskey Evening News announced visitors to the Sunset Lodge
9 July 1910 ~ Petoskey Evening News
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9 September 1910 ~ Petoskey Evening News
Picturesque Walloon published in 1911 has the following point of interest to tourists on page 55: RANSOM'S GENERAL STORE. Groceries, provisions, drugs and family medicines; fresh and salt meats and fish. We cater to your wants. W. H. Ransom. Walloon Lake, Mich.
AFTER-1907 ~ POST-Fire
(Photo Below)
(Photo Below)
Submitted from the Collection of Ross Renwick
Photo Below: When this undated photo was taken, the Walloon Lake Post Office was located inside the W.H. Ransom General Merchandise Store. The pointy roofed building next door, which eventually became the post office for several years, at that time had signage of "Cleaning and Pressing".
Little Traverse Historical Society Photo Collection (1912)
Accompanying text for the above photo stated: "The W.H. Ransom General Store was located about where the present general store is located. The little building on the left was moved across the street and is still used as the Betty's Close [sic ~ Clothes] Closet. In the past it was also the post office, and when this picture was taken, a cleaners." The little building had also been known as a gift shop called "Inch & Foot". Ransom sold the store in 1926 to Mssrs. Wilson and Lot. They sold the store to L.A. Spalding in 1928. Mr. Spalding sold the store to his son-in-law Ross Renwick in 1946. In 1963 Ross Renwick sold it to Village Development Corporation. It had sold again by 1970, to Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Schack who lost the building to fire in 1972. In 2013 this property, with a new one-story building, is the Walloon Village General Store and Deli owned by Calvin and Linda Penfold. UPDATE: In 2022 the Penfold's closed their general store. Property owner Jonathan Borisch had the building razed, and announced plans for a future complex titled "The Renwick Building" for 2023.
The Koneta sign in the photo below graced the side of the W.H. Ransom General Store in the photo above. The Koneta had housed a bowling alley, and a billard parlor at one time... and the building had also been moved from one side of the railroad tracks to the other... even though the building was very, very large. The building was moved after the 1907 Fire in the Village of Walloon Lake... moved to make room for the new depot, and the train tracks, all of which was a benefit to the community. Mr. Ransom purchased the general store in 1909. The pointy roofed little building which had rested behind the Koneta in PRE-1907, was situated beside the Koneta/Ransom building after the 1907 Fire.
Little Traverse Historical Society Photo Collection (Undated)
The 6 July 1910 Petoskey Evening News stated: "The Koneta has been purchased by the manager of Sunset Lodge and now occupies a place beside the hotel, Mr. Ransom having moved his grocery store into the building which allows a great deal more room than was possible in the old structure. In addition to the grocery department, the owner will run a meat market and soda fountain, and the bowling alleys will be available this year." The Walloon Lake Post Office sign no longer hung on the Koneta store as it had when it was the Ransom store.
13 August 1910 ~ Petoskey Evening News
10 July 1915 ~ Petoskey Evening News & The Daily Resorter
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7 April 1938 ~ Emmet County Graphic
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3 December 1955 ~ Petoskey News Review
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PRE-1907 ~ PRE-Fire
(Photos Below)
Photo Below: The New Walloon Hotel stood to the left of the dock.
Directly behind the dock was the Koneta Grocery before it was moved to the farther right side of the depot.
Submitted by Dean and Marna Wheaton to be viewed only on this Walloon Lake Wanderings website
"Michigan in Summer" Issued by the General Passenger Department Grand Rapids & Indiana Railway (1904)
Front View of the General Store, and the Grund's Building Behind ~ From the Collection of Susie Sherk
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Side View of the General Store, and the Grund's Building Behind ~ From the Collection of Susie Sherk
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Submitted from the Collection of Ross Renwick
Clipping Below: In 1911, two of Arthur Chandler's sons were working at Ramson's store.
28 August 1911 ~ The Daily Record and Petoskey Evening News
Picturesque Walloon published 1911 described on page 54, the Sunset Lodge:
"A home-like place to stop; very conveniently located in a grove near the bath house, at water's edge. Furnished rooms, single or en suite, for light housekeeping; cottages for rent. W.H. Ransom. Prop., Walloon Lake, Mich." [Sunset Lodge was located in the photo below on the front right.]
"A home-like place to stop; very conveniently located in a grove near the bath house, at water's edge. Furnished rooms, single or en suite, for light housekeeping; cottages for rent. W.H. Ransom. Prop., Walloon Lake, Mich." [Sunset Lodge was located in the photo below on the front right.]
Submitted from the Collection of Ross Renwick
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Submitted from the Collection of Ross Renwick
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Did the Horses do the Plowing?
A Snowplow... not Horses (Undated)
From the snowy lake... L>R in the background: Hotel Walloon, Browers, Renwick General Store (store names dependent on actual timeframe)
~ L.A. Spalding General Store and Merrill Cottage/Sunset Lodge ~
"After many years in business there, Ransom sold out and Mr. L.A. Spalding bought the store and ran it for a long time. Vergene’s [the author James C. Whitfield, Sr.'s, wife] nephew had been staying with us for a year or so and got to know Mr. Spalding and Mrs. Spalding, their daughter, Lucile and her younger brother Russel. There was also an older brother, a medical doctor in northern Indiana. Ross Renwick, Vergene’s nephew dated Lucile for some time and finally they were married in the local Community Church, which had formerly been the United Brethren. Finally Ross bought the store and the ‘Sunset Lodge’ next to it which had been a rooming house in days gone by. Ross and Lucile ran the store for quite a few years, finally selling out to a local group of business men and resorters. Some years after it had been sold, some frustrated kid set fire to it, and then we had no store at all as Fred Shepard had died long before. [Fred Shepard had run the other general store across from the Renwick's store.] During the time when Mr. Spalding and Ross ran the store its soda fountain provided us kids a source of enjoyment. It was a distinct treat for us to drop in there for a soda or especially an ice cream sundae, chocolate preferred as Mrs. Spalding made all the chocolate syrup used, and was it ever delicious!!! That part of the store was often frequented by adults, too, on a hot day. The store itself took on a different aspect, eliminating all of its hardware stock and concentrating on foodstuffs and magazines and papers. Still, it was a distinct loss to the small community when the old store burned, although at the time nearly everyone had cars and could easily go to Boyne City or Petoskey for needed items."
~ James C. Whitfield, Sr.
~ James C. Whitfield, Sr.
Photo Below Left:
The building on the left was the general store, and the building on the right was originally the Merrill Cottage.
Next Merrill Cottage became the Sunset Lodge, when in 1908 W.H. Ransom purchased it, and renamed it.
Later, the Sunset Lodge became the home of the Spalding Family and their descendants, the Renwick Family.
The building on the left was the general store, and the building on the right was originally the Merrill Cottage.
Next Merrill Cottage became the Sunset Lodge, when in 1908 W.H. Ransom purchased it, and renamed it.
Later, the Sunset Lodge became the home of the Spalding Family and their descendants, the Renwick Family.
The Merrill Cottage was built by R.T. Merrill in 1903. It had the ideal location being so close to the railroad depot, the general store, lake for fishing, and the beach for entertainment. Mr. Ransom bought the Merrill Cottage in 1908 and renamed it Sunset Lodge at that time, and hired Orval Winkler to manage the lodge.
Submitted from the Collection of Ross Renwick
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Submitted from the Collection of Ross Renwick
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Mrs. Spalding leaving her store with an ice cream cone in each hand. ~ Submitted from the Collection of Ross Renwick
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Side view of the General Store ~ Submitted from the Collection of Ross Renwick
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~ Ross V. Renwick General Store ~
Submitted from the Collection of Ross Renwick
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Submitted from the Collection of Eddie May ~ Ross V. Renwick General Store
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Submitted from the Collection of Ross Renwick
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Submitted from the Collection of Ross Renwick
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Ross Renwick [photo above left], along with wife Lucile Spalding Renwick [photo above right],
owned the general store from 1946 to 1963
which gave their children Varn and Rosemary [photo below left]
the opportunities for ice cream treats straight from the soda fountain bar [photo below right].
owned the general store from 1946 to 1963
which gave their children Varn and Rosemary [photo below left]
the opportunities for ice cream treats straight from the soda fountain bar [photo below right].
Submitted from the Collection of Ross Renwick
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Submitted from the Collection of Ross Renwick
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Submitted from the Collection of Ross Renwick
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Submitted from the Collection of Ross Renwick
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Submitted from the Collection of Ross Renwick
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Varn and Rosemary Renwick in front of their Renwick General Store ~ Submitted from the Collection of Ross Renwick
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26 March 1963 ~ Petoskey News Review
3 June 1966 ~ Petoskey News Review photo accompanied article below...
3 June 1966 ~ Petoskey News Review article accompanied photo above...
Ross V. Renwick sold the general store to a local corporation in 1963,
after which Harvey Schach purchased it in 1971.
In 1972, the store burned and, then Schach rebuilt it into the one story structure which exists in 2013.
after which Harvey Schach purchased it in 1971.
In 1972, the store burned and, then Schach rebuilt it into the one story structure which exists in 2013.
Submitted from the Collection of Susie Sherk
Behind the Renwick Home ~ Submitted from the Collection of Ross Renwick
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Ross and Lucile Renwick with children Rosemary and Varn in front of their Walloon Lake home next to their general store in about 1949 ~ Submitted from the Collection of Ross Renwick
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About 1959 ~ David Howard Shoveled Snow Off the Car Across the Street from Renwick's General Store and Home.
Photo Above: The building in the background was originally built in 1903 as the Merrill Cottage, with the Merrill name also attached to the boat works on the lakeside. Then in 1908, W.H. Ransom, the owner of the general store next door, bought the Merrill Cottage, and renamed it Sunset Lodge. Next, L.A. Spalding bought the property.
L.A. Spalding's granddaughter Rosemary Renwick James (daughter of Ross and Lucile Spalding Renwick) wrote the following in November of 2013: " From my mother's birth in 1906, in Gregory, MI, down near Ann Arbor, to 1928, the Spaldings lived in Gregory, Perry, Ovid, and Walloon Lake. Grandpa was a banker in Perry but owned groceries in the other places. Mom graduated from Ovid HS in 1924 and Albion College in 1928. They immediately moved to Walloon Lake. During the four years Mom was in college, at some point Grandpa and Grandma bought this apartment building in Detroit, lived in one of the apartments, and managed it. Somehow, he and Ransom connected and they traded properties and as soon as Mom was out of college, they moved. She told me once that in her last weeks at Albion, she talked to one of her profs about moving up north and getting a teaching job there or staying downstate. He tried to convince her to stay downstate, saying she would have better opportunities, but she felt her parents needed her, so she came with them. Her older brother, Wendell, was probably in or nearly finished with medical school at Ann Arbor at that time, but Uncle Russell, who was 6 years younger than Mom, moved up north, and spent some (all?) of his high school years at Petoskey High School. Uncle Russell and Stan Kellogg, the noted Petoskey ceramic artist, were good friends. Our venerable old ping-pong table was Uncle Russell's school shop project.
The Walloon Lake property started at the fence between the park and us and went to the north side of the store. Do you remember the extent of our mowed back yard, back to the swampy area? I don't know exactly how far we went back toward Burt Burns' property but we met somewhere along there. All together, there were 3.5 acres, I believe. Store, icehouse (separate building behind store), garage, woodshed, old post office, and the house. The addition to the back end of the store was a storeroom. In my day, it was always filled with empty cardboard boxes that Dad's stock came in. I think Grandma took in roomers one year but that was all she wanted to do. One time I think she put up some summer peoples' help who needed a place to stay. Up over the store were three apartments which were rented, but before my time. So, from 1928 to 1946, my grandparents ran the store. Mom worked there in the summers, but taught in either Clarion, Walloon Lake or Boyne City in the winters. An interesting sidebar about pre-union teaching days, sometimes she would take the whole winter off and go to Florida with her parents, when she was teaching in Boyne City. She also rented rooms in Boyne City in the winters sometimes so she would not have to do the drive everyday or live in the house alone when her parents were gone. Do you remember the old Sunnyside Restaurant in Boyne City? Another restaurant was beside it, and I guess that is where she and a lot of her cronies ate many meals. When she taught at the Walloon Lake school, up by Jensen Road, Uncle Russell would go up early in the morning in the winter to build the fire to get the place somewhat warmed up before school started. Mayme Scroggie taught some or all of the time Mom did there; Mom had 5-8 grades and Mayme taught the younger kids, and as Mom said, "I never got a kid who couldn't read!"
In the late 1930's, Dad came to live with Whitfields. I have heard that Dad was the choir director at the church and Mom played the piano, and I also heard they met at the store so take your pick. Probably it was not too hard to realize a new person was in Walloon Lake! They married in 1940 and then lived in Cadillac MI; remember on the same street [Bremer] as that first house Kelly and Scott lived in?; Prudenville, and Saginaw, during WWII when my dad worked at Saginaw Steering Gear doing some drafting. It was a war related job. He had worked in grocery stores and even managed one or two in Illinois prior to coming to Walloon Lake, and I guess owning his own store was something he had always wanted to do. So, after the war, I guess Grandpa wanted to retire and the Renwicks bought the store. We moved in in April, when I was 3 months old. I do not know if Grandpa and Grandma stayed with us that first summer, after returning from their place in Florida, or if they had the place on West Mitchell in Petoskey right away. My grandma died of breast cancer in 1952 and Grandpa moved in with us in 1958. He died in 1968.
This summer, I found an old ledger Grandpa had kept through several stores, including Walloon Lake. He made many personal comments and entries, as well as business entries, and had a brief sentence or two about the trade between him and Ransom."
L.A. Spalding's granddaughter Rosemary Renwick James (daughter of Ross and Lucile Spalding Renwick) wrote the following in November of 2013: " From my mother's birth in 1906, in Gregory, MI, down near Ann Arbor, to 1928, the Spaldings lived in Gregory, Perry, Ovid, and Walloon Lake. Grandpa was a banker in Perry but owned groceries in the other places. Mom graduated from Ovid HS in 1924 and Albion College in 1928. They immediately moved to Walloon Lake. During the four years Mom was in college, at some point Grandpa and Grandma bought this apartment building in Detroit, lived in one of the apartments, and managed it. Somehow, he and Ransom connected and they traded properties and as soon as Mom was out of college, they moved. She told me once that in her last weeks at Albion, she talked to one of her profs about moving up north and getting a teaching job there or staying downstate. He tried to convince her to stay downstate, saying she would have better opportunities, but she felt her parents needed her, so she came with them. Her older brother, Wendell, was probably in or nearly finished with medical school at Ann Arbor at that time, but Uncle Russell, who was 6 years younger than Mom, moved up north, and spent some (all?) of his high school years at Petoskey High School. Uncle Russell and Stan Kellogg, the noted Petoskey ceramic artist, were good friends. Our venerable old ping-pong table was Uncle Russell's school shop project.
The Walloon Lake property started at the fence between the park and us and went to the north side of the store. Do you remember the extent of our mowed back yard, back to the swampy area? I don't know exactly how far we went back toward Burt Burns' property but we met somewhere along there. All together, there were 3.5 acres, I believe. Store, icehouse (separate building behind store), garage, woodshed, old post office, and the house. The addition to the back end of the store was a storeroom. In my day, it was always filled with empty cardboard boxes that Dad's stock came in. I think Grandma took in roomers one year but that was all she wanted to do. One time I think she put up some summer peoples' help who needed a place to stay. Up over the store were three apartments which were rented, but before my time. So, from 1928 to 1946, my grandparents ran the store. Mom worked there in the summers, but taught in either Clarion, Walloon Lake or Boyne City in the winters. An interesting sidebar about pre-union teaching days, sometimes she would take the whole winter off and go to Florida with her parents, when she was teaching in Boyne City. She also rented rooms in Boyne City in the winters sometimes so she would not have to do the drive everyday or live in the house alone when her parents were gone. Do you remember the old Sunnyside Restaurant in Boyne City? Another restaurant was beside it, and I guess that is where she and a lot of her cronies ate many meals. When she taught at the Walloon Lake school, up by Jensen Road, Uncle Russell would go up early in the morning in the winter to build the fire to get the place somewhat warmed up before school started. Mayme Scroggie taught some or all of the time Mom did there; Mom had 5-8 grades and Mayme taught the younger kids, and as Mom said, "I never got a kid who couldn't read!"
In the late 1930's, Dad came to live with Whitfields. I have heard that Dad was the choir director at the church and Mom played the piano, and I also heard they met at the store so take your pick. Probably it was not too hard to realize a new person was in Walloon Lake! They married in 1940 and then lived in Cadillac MI; remember on the same street [Bremer] as that first house Kelly and Scott lived in?; Prudenville, and Saginaw, during WWII when my dad worked at Saginaw Steering Gear doing some drafting. It was a war related job. He had worked in grocery stores and even managed one or two in Illinois prior to coming to Walloon Lake, and I guess owning his own store was something he had always wanted to do. So, after the war, I guess Grandpa wanted to retire and the Renwicks bought the store. We moved in in April, when I was 3 months old. I do not know if Grandpa and Grandma stayed with us that first summer, after returning from their place in Florida, or if they had the place on West Mitchell in Petoskey right away. My grandma died of breast cancer in 1952 and Grandpa moved in with us in 1958. He died in 1968.
This summer, I found an old ledger Grandpa had kept through several stores, including Walloon Lake. He made many personal comments and entries, as well as business entries, and had a brief sentence or two about the trade between him and Ransom."
1972
~ Walloon Village General Store Burned ~
~ Walloon Village General Store Burned ~
8 September 1972 ~ Petoskey News Review article continues below left...
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8 September 1972 ~ Petoskey News Review photos accompanied article left...
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8 September 1972 ~ Petoskey News Review article continues from above left...
Photo Below: The big old general store burned September 1972. It was rebuilt by its owners Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Schack, as a modern, one-story fire resistant building "rising on the ashes of the one that burned". The buildings on this site have an interesting history. The original wood frame structure burned about 1906, along with William Grund's adjoining store. At that time it was owned by W.H. Ransom, with Alfred Hass, Sr. having been an owner for a short time. Mr. Ransom moved on to his burned-out site, a large two story frame building known as the "Koneta" with a bowling alley and confectionery store then located on the same east side of the street, and somewhat north. The business continued to be known as Ransom's General Store until he sold it in 1926 to Mr. Wilson and Mr. Lot of Detroit. In 1928 Mr. Spalding purchased the store and operated it until his son-in-law Ross Renwick purchased it. Mr. Renwick sold in 1963 to Village Development Corporation, and in 1971 Mr. and Mrs. Schach purchased the Village General Store from the Corporation. It was under the Schack ownership that the building burned.
Rebuilt Walloon Village General Store & Deli after the Fire
9 September 1972 ~ Petoskey News Review
10 April 1990 ~ Petoksey News Review
Article Below: In 1971 Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Schach purchased the general store from the Village Development Corporation. In 1990 the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced that Harvey Schrach, owner of about 217 feet of Walloon Lake frontage on the west side of M-75 as it passed through the village, had made an offer to sell his property to the state. The sale was to include Schrach’s Village General Store, warehouse and parking lot located on the east side of M-75. The DNR was proposing to spend about half a million dollars on the deal to provide access for the public on Walloon. At the time only five public access sites were on Walloon Lake and only one had a ramp.
In one DNR proposal, parking for 21 car/trailers would be provided on the other side of M-75 opposite a launch ramp with one dock on the lake side. To make space for the parking, the store would be removed. All of the structures on the lake side – with the possible exception of the Sail Inn Grill (Keyhole at that time) would be removed.
A second similar DNR proposal would have 2 docks, parking on the other side of M-75, with increased space for 68 car/trailers. The store would remain, but some space would be taken from the adjacent township park for the additional parking.
The DNR stated it could proceed with the project without township approval, but acknowledged without the approval the DNR would not pursue it further. While the township board unanimously passed a resolution to support the DNR acquisition, some residents expressed concern that the township would lost control of the area. The Walloon Lake Association was concerned about the impact of additional boats on the lake.
In one DNR proposal, parking for 21 car/trailers would be provided on the other side of M-75 opposite a launch ramp with one dock on the lake side. To make space for the parking, the store would be removed. All of the structures on the lake side – with the possible exception of the Sail Inn Grill (Keyhole at that time) would be removed.
A second similar DNR proposal would have 2 docks, parking on the other side of M-75, with increased space for 68 car/trailers. The store would remain, but some space would be taken from the adjacent township park for the additional parking.
The DNR stated it could proceed with the project without township approval, but acknowledged without the approval the DNR would not pursue it further. While the township board unanimously passed a resolution to support the DNR acquisition, some residents expressed concern that the township would lost control of the area. The Walloon Lake Association was concerned about the impact of additional boats on the lake.
11 April 1990 ~ Petoskey News Review article continues below...
11 April 1990 ~ Petoskey News Review article continues from above...
Article Below: The Walloon Lake Association hoped for clarified DNR parking, an environmental impact study to be done, safety on M-75 ensured, and details on maintaining and policing the area. The Melrose Township Board agreed with the DNR that a boat ramp was needed in the village.
15 June 1990 ~ Petoskey News Review
Article Below: In a matter of a couple of months a group of Walloon Lake residents had made an offer to buy the property from Harry Schach; buying the general store and 217 feet of lakefront. The group had no specific plans for their purchase, but resident/investor Woody Stover stressed the aim of the group was to preserve the unique nature of the village… no development plan, but a PRESERVATION plan, trying to preserve the village. Various options by multiple interest groups were being weighed.
2 August 1990 ~ Petoskey News Review
3 August 1990 ~ Petoskey News Review
Article Below: Joining Woody Stover, president of a group of six who have a purchase agreement with owner Harvey Schrach are: Chicago businessman Allan Cameron, chairman; Cincinnati attorney Greg Adams, secretary; Bear Cover Marina owner Steve Dutton, treasurer; Realtor Larry Rellinger of Petoskey, vice president; and Birmingham businessman MIke Waterman, vice president. The tentative name of the group is Walloon Properties Inc.
14 August 1990 ~ Petoskey News Review
15 August 1990 ~ Petoskey News Review
Article Below: A year later and the Walloon Properties Inc. group has not yet addressed the boarding up of the dilapidated old Brower's general store building, even after prodding from the township.
31 July 1991 ~ Petoskey News Review
1998
New Owners Calvin and Linda Penfold
The Penfold's purchased the general store from Matthew and Linda Waterman.
Linda had managed the store for the previous 16 years.
The Walloon Village General Store is being renamed...
~Walloon Village General Store and Deli ~
New Owners Calvin and Linda Penfold
The Penfold's purchased the general store from Matthew and Linda Waterman.
Linda had managed the store for the previous 16 years.
The Walloon Village General Store is being renamed...
~Walloon Village General Store and Deli ~
11 March 1998 ~ Petoskey News Review
27 August 1998 ~ Petoskey News Review
6 July 2003 ~ L>R: Triton Marine, General Store in background on other side of street, Brower's General Store
The Walloon Village General Store & Deli with the parking lot beside the store prepared to pave,
during the time of the village transformation going on with the Borisch Properties.
during the time of the village transformation going on with the Borisch Properties.
18 June 2013
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18 June 2013
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The Walloon Village General Store & Deli was decorated for the Christmas Season,
as was the new Johan's Pastries store located beside the general store.
Johan's Bakery chain added two locations in 2013.
as was the new Johan's Pastries store located beside the general store.
Johan's Bakery chain added two locations in 2013.
20 November 2013
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Johan's has now opened "Johan's Outpost "
in Charlevoix as a Kiosk in the Charlevoix shopping center as of July 2014. |
29 November 2013 ~ Petoskey News Review
8 February 2014 ~ Walloon Village General Store & Deli
8 February 2014 ~ Walloon Village General Store & Deli
When Calvin and Linda Penfold owned the Walloon Village General Store and Deli, the store was known for many delectable treats and delightful services. One service to be missed at the general store by the many successful Northern Michigan hunters is the deer processing business. That business will carry on nearby on top of Chandler Hill in the new Penfold deer processing location. Their Facebook page tells the story of their new business name:
Ida's Kitchen.
"For those who don't know, our name is a nod to Linda's mom Ida Mae Sarasin. When Ida Mae started working at the store alongside Linda she began referring to the back of the store as "the kitchen". Most employees at that time knew the back as the meat department, but she argued that it was the kitchen.
It didn't take long before Ida was the queen of the kitchen. She started baking pies, cookies and bread most days by 6am and was in charge of making lunch Monday-Friday.
Calvin and Linda eventually had a small "Ida's Kitchen" sign made that hung in the deli until we closed the store on September 5, 2022. We also started putting "Ida's Kitchen" on the aprons. The sign will go up again in our new kitchen and the aprons will be there too. When we started talking about a name for our new deer processing shop, it didn't take us long to settle on Ida's Kitchen/Commercial Kitchen."
Photo Below in their early business days: Ida Mae Sarasin, Dawn Sarasin, Linda and Calvin Penfold with their son Joe.
Ida's Kitchen.
"For those who don't know, our name is a nod to Linda's mom Ida Mae Sarasin. When Ida Mae started working at the store alongside Linda she began referring to the back of the store as "the kitchen". Most employees at that time knew the back as the meat department, but she argued that it was the kitchen.
It didn't take long before Ida was the queen of the kitchen. She started baking pies, cookies and bread most days by 6am and was in charge of making lunch Monday-Friday.
Calvin and Linda eventually had a small "Ida's Kitchen" sign made that hung in the deli until we closed the store on September 5, 2022. We also started putting "Ida's Kitchen" on the aprons. The sign will go up again in our new kitchen and the aprons will be there too. When we started talking about a name for our new deer processing shop, it didn't take us long to settle on Ida's Kitchen/Commercial Kitchen."
Photo Below in their early business days: Ida Mae Sarasin, Dawn Sarasin, Linda and Calvin Penfold with their son Joe.
L>R Ida Mae Jensen Sarasin, Dawn Sarasin, Linda Sarasin Penfold holding son Joe, Calvin Penfold ~ Submitted by Dawn Sarasin
Employees of The Walloon Village General Store ~ Over the Years
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Kim Coates
Phyllis Cotanche Susie Cotanche Lyons Norma Hull Harold Arnold Leach (meat cutter during summer breaks) Calvin Penfold Linda Penfold Dawn Sarasin Ida Mae Sarasin Matthew Urman |
Last Day of Business (Labor Day)
5 September 2022
5 September 2022
The Razing of the Walloon Village General Store
11 October 2022
11 October 2022
Click PLAY in the upper left corner to view the slideshow below of photos taken 11 October 2022 and submitted by Walloon's own Dawn Sarasin. The photos below show the razing of the Walloon Lake General Store, owned for the last 39 years by Dawn's sister Linda and her husband Calvin Penfold of nearby Chandler Hill area in Chandler Township. They are retiring from the general store business. Jonathan Borisch, long-time Walloon resident, and recent accomplished developer of the village, is proceeding with the razing of the general store, and has plans for redeveloping the property.
Dawn Sarasin's photos in the slideshow below have added to the preservation of The Foot's history. She also has various photos available for sale in the village's newest store 50 Mile Market. Those available photos are more nature themed. 50 Mile Market updates through Facebook. UPDATE: 50 Mile Market is no longer in business.
Dawn Sarasin's photos in the slideshow below have added to the preservation of The Foot's history. She also has various photos available for sale in the village's newest store 50 Mile Market. Those available photos are more nature themed. 50 Mile Market updates through Facebook. UPDATE: 50 Mile Market is no longer in business.
Photo Below:
On 11 October 2022, photographer Dawn Sarasin stopped by the razing site
later in the day when cleanup was mostly complete...
even the little flat roofed old post office building, as shown in the above photo, was gone.
That little building also had served as Johan's Bakery followed by Tommy's Boat Sales Office.
On 11 October 2022, photographer Dawn Sarasin stopped by the razing site
later in the day when cleanup was mostly complete...
even the little flat roofed old post office building, as shown in the above photo, was gone.
That little building also had served as Johan's Bakery followed by Tommy's Boat Sales Office.
11 October 2022 ~ Submitted by Dawn Sarasin
ANNOUNCEMENT!
The Renwick Building
Named after previous general store owner Ross Renwick...
Coming Late 2023
(Announced by the Borisch Family)
Two Photos Below
The signage just was "zipped tied" to the location's surrounding fencing today... 6 December 2022.
The Renwick Building
Named after previous general store owner Ross Renwick...
Coming Late 2023
(Announced by the Borisch Family)
Two Photos Below
The signage just was "zipped tied" to the location's surrounding fencing today... 6 December 2022.
6 December 2022 ~ Submitted by Photographer Dawn Sarasin
6 December 2022 ~ Submitted by Photographer Dawn Sarasin
Photo Above: In the late 50s and 60s the "general store" belonged to the Renwick Family as the sign reads. Compare the two photos above, so it is seen that the design of the old general store with the front/side porches is very similar to the new design, although the old design was two stories, and the new Renwick Building will be three stories… both flat roofed buildings, with upper floor balconies. Even the bottom side porch roof on the old store has the slightly sloped overhang as on the new design main level porch.
~ Groundbreaking for The Renwick Building ~
19 January 2023
The Renwick was named for Ross Renwick who owned the general store in its early years.
19 January 2023
The Renwick was named for Ross Renwick who owned the general store in its early years.
Below: Local Developer Jon Borisch's welcoming speech, prayer, and plans...
always envisioning the future...
(Project with planned 16 luxury condominiums and a market and retail space on the main level)
Eight private dock slips available for purchase, as well as private parking for residents.
always envisioning the future...
(Project with planned 16 luxury condominiums and a market and retail space on the main level)
Eight private dock slips available for purchase, as well as private parking for residents.
Dawn Sarasin submitted her own photography of the Groundbreaking for the Renwick Building ~ 19 January 2023
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Dawn Sarasin submitted her own photography of the Groundbreaking for the Renwick Building ~ 19 January 2023
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Two Photos Below: Ground Breakers; Steve Saylers with Wolgast Construction, Wally Kidd of Kidd & Leavy Real Estate handling the sales, Linda Penfold previous general store owner, Jonathan Borisch local owner and developer, Joe Teague general store manager, and Kathryn Chaplow interior designer. J. Visser was the architect. Wolgast Corporation will manage the project.
Dawn Sarasin submitted her own photography of the Groundbreaking for the Renwick Building ~ 19 January 2023
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Dawn Sarasin submitted her own photography of the Groundbreaking for the Renwick Building ~ 19 January 2023
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Dawn Sarasin submitted her own photography of the Groundbreaking for the Renwick Building ~ 19 January 2023
Photo Below Left : Jonathan Borisch in center observes discussion between
new general store manager Joe Teague and previous general store owner/manager Linda Penfold.
new general store manager Joe Teague and previous general store owner/manager Linda Penfold.
Photo Below Right: Jonathan Borisch and Eric Schwartzyl from the Wolgast construction company.
Dawn Sarasin submitted her own photography of the Groundbreaking for the Renwick Building ~ 19 January 2023
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Dawn Sarasin submitted her own photography of the Groundbreaking for the Renwick Building ~ 19 January 2023
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Planned completion of The Renwick is for early 2024, with the general store hopefully opened in the summer.
Jonathan's son Matthew Borisch will be operating the general store.
More information, including condominium floor plans, may be accessed by clicking HERE.
Jonathan's son Matthew Borisch will be operating the general store.
More information, including condominium floor plans, may be accessed by clicking HERE.
Press Release Photo of The Renwick Building Planned Multi-use Unit...
Photo Below taken 21 April 2023: The billboard on the corner of US 131 and M 75, heading into Walloon Lake Village states that the Walloon Village General Store will be opening in May... Possible? View the progress slide show below to determine the outcome.
21 April 2023 ~ Photographer Dawn Sarasin
UPDATE 25 April 2023: The Walloon Village General Store will be temporarily located in two commercial spaces of The Lofts on Walloon's multi-use lower level. It will cost a great deal of money to set up this limited time grocery store, but definitely is in consideration for the community, until the permanent new grocery can be established in The Renwick. Photos Below taken and submitted by Dawn Sarasin on 28 April 2023: Newly erected sign of the Walloon Village General Store, and interior views of the stock merchandise, preparing for store opening soon.
28 April 2023 ~ Submitted by Dawn Sarasin
28 April 2023 ~ Submitted by Dawn Sarasin
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28 April 2023 ~ Submitted by Dawn Sarasin
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28 April 2023 ~ Submitted by Dawn Sarasin
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28 April 2023 ~ Submitted by Dawn Sarasin
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28 April 2023 ~ Submitted by Dawn Sarasin
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28 April 2023 ~ Submitted by Dawn Sarasin
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28 April 2023 ~ Submitted by Dawn Sarasin
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28 April 2023 ~ Submitted by Dawn Sarasin
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28 April 2023 ~ Submitted by Dawn Sarasin
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28 April 2023 ~ Submitted by Dawn Sarasin
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28 April 2023 ~ Submitted by Dawn Sarasin
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28 April 2023 ~ Submitted by Dawn Sarasin
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28 April 2023 ~ Submitted by Dawn Sarasin
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28 April 2023 ~ Submitted by Dawn Sarasin
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28 April 2023 ~ Submitted by Dawn Sarasin
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20 JANUARY 2023 Photo Below: The General Store had been razed, in preparation to build The Renwick.
28 January 2023 ~ Posted only by Permission from Drone Photographer Charles Dawley, Up North Imaging
As of 15 August 2023
all of the front condominiums of the Renwick Building have been pre-sold for $1M each (8 of those).
Five condominiums have sold in the back for $300,000.00 each with three of those left to sell.
all of the front condominiums of the Renwick Building have been pre-sold for $1M each (8 of those).
Five condominiums have sold in the back for $300,000.00 each with three of those left to sell.
Walloon Lake resident Dawn Sarasin is providing these photos of the construction of The Renwick to be posted here as a slideshow, to be updated continuously. Click on PLAY in the upper left corner of the main photo to view the slideshow, and check back periodically to view the progress. Photos can be advance quickly by clicking on any of the thumbnails at top of slideshow... note listing below:
PRE-Razing/Demolition and Inside the General Store AND...
09 January 2023: Preparation to pour cement foundation. The orange tarp, placed to keep the winter ground warmer, will go completely across before pouring; making certain of being level.
15 January 2023: Grade beams being built on helical piers; Steel poles were driven down 25 feet with cement poured around those. Next fill dirt between the cement walls will have the cement floors poured over, all the way across the building footprint.
10 April 2023: Starting up with elevator shaft.
12 April 2023: Elevator shaft up three levels completed.
05 May 2023: Preparing the foundation for floor to be poured
17 May 2023: Foundation poured
23 May 2023: First floor metal framework going up
02 June 2023: Wood framing beginning
09 June 2023: Walls going up on bottom floor (store area) and Renwick Sign Posted
20 June 2023: Second floor going up
30 June 2023: Covering studs on first floor (Hazy Canada Fire Smoke in the Air)
06 July 2023: Covering outside with Tyvek
07 July 2023: Angle view from the Park
19 July 2023: Third Floor being constructed
28 July 2023: Third Floor being walled in
10 August 2023: Third Floor Roof, Balcony Roof, and Porch Roof being constructed
15 August 2023: Building all wrapped up (in the evening) !
29 August 2023: Closing in...
02 September 2023: Windows and Sliding Doors Installed
PRE-Razing/Demolition and Inside the General Store AND...
09 January 2023: Preparation to pour cement foundation. The orange tarp, placed to keep the winter ground warmer, will go completely across before pouring; making certain of being level.
15 January 2023: Grade beams being built on helical piers; Steel poles were driven down 25 feet with cement poured around those. Next fill dirt between the cement walls will have the cement floors poured over, all the way across the building footprint.
10 April 2023: Starting up with elevator shaft.
12 April 2023: Elevator shaft up three levels completed.
05 May 2023: Preparing the foundation for floor to be poured
17 May 2023: Foundation poured
23 May 2023: First floor metal framework going up
02 June 2023: Wood framing beginning
09 June 2023: Walls going up on bottom floor (store area) and Renwick Sign Posted
20 June 2023: Second floor going up
30 June 2023: Covering studs on first floor (Hazy Canada Fire Smoke in the Air)
06 July 2023: Covering outside with Tyvek
07 July 2023: Angle view from the Park
19 July 2023: Third Floor being constructed
28 July 2023: Third Floor being walled in
10 August 2023: Third Floor Roof, Balcony Roof, and Porch Roof being constructed
15 August 2023: Building all wrapped up (in the evening) !
29 August 2023: Closing in...
02 September 2023: Windows and Sliding Doors Installed
