News & Updates
April 2022 | Issue 1
DIRECTOR'S
MESSAGE


Now that spring is here and summer is just around the corner. It is our hope to convey information and resource links some will need as we all prepare. If you have questions or suggestions for these newsletters please don't hesitate to contact us!


ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

New Downtown Additions - We have been fielding a number of contacts from people who want to open or start a new business downtown. 

Please welcome the following businesses:
The Purple Paintbrush - 338 River Street
Clean Lines Tattoo - 336 River Street
Three Peas In a Pod - 84 Cypress Street
Manistee Hobbies - 415 River Street #2
Ruddiblush Gallery - 321 River Street
Downtown Delights - 457 River Street
Laketown Art - 390 River Street
P&L Sammich Barista - 375 River Street

A few Businesses have relocated:
Dwelling Realty - 369 River Street
Pamela's Interiors - 433 River Street
Port City Emporium - 354 River Street

If you know an entrepreneur who wants to start or expand a business, please contact us at the Chamber, or visit our website

Input needed - As part of our work with the DDA, the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce seeks to support a vibrant business community, recruit and sustain new businesses, and identify successful locations for new entrepreneurs, businesses, and developers.

We are asking commercial building owners to complete a questionnaire to identify and inventory potentially available spaces. Please click HERE to fill out the questionnaire, even if you are not interested in leasing or selling your property. 

ADVOCACY

We have been hard at work for you, our businesses to support and advocate for what matters the most to make our community competitive and strong for the future.

Please find the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance's annual report HERE and quarterly report HERE to read about the advocacy work that we as a coalition have been working on from childcare to housing, MIOSHA rules, etc.  
FOOD TRUCK ORDINANCE UPDATE

The Manistee City Council passed a food vendor ordinance and fee structure on June 15, 2021. The ordinance spells out hours of operation in specific districts throughout the city, such as downtown, commercial, residential, and industrial areas. 

The permit cost is $500 (valid for one year Jan-Dec) and will require inspections from the health, fire, and agriculture departments in certain instances. Food vendors must also provide proof of insurance.  Read the full Food Vending Ordinance HERE.

Special Events: There is an exemption for Limited Duration Food Vending shall mean a mobile food vendor operating in the Central Business District for no more than five (5) non-consecutive days in any calendar year in connection with and adjacent to a business in the Central Business District. (Ord. 21-19 Adopted 12-7-21).

If you are having a special event and the food vendor does not have a yearly City food vendor permit. The following guidelines apply per the Vendor Ordinance HERE.

Please fill out this electronic form
  • Get your neighboring businesses' approval
  • Fill out the Electronic Form
  • Send in copies of the vendor's food license
  • Send in copies of both business and food vendors' liability insurance. (naming the city of Manistee as an additional insured)

Contact director@manisteedowntown.com if you have questions.
DOWNTOWN PARKING

Just a friendly reminder that River Street parking is limited to two (2) hours. Please "Play Nice - Park Nice" respect your fellow business owners and leave the spaces available for customers. Each space can be looked at as a valuable piece of real estate - in many places people pay a token to use these spaces. In Manistee, we offer them for free.

There are plenty of parking options within a short distance. Read Full Ordinance HERE

Please see the parking map HERE for all downtown spots available.
DDA BUSINESS MEETINGS

We invite and welcome everyone to participate in the monthly Downtown Business meetings which are held via zoom on the third Tuesday of the month at 8:30 am.

They are a casual conversation with your fellow merchants where you can receive updates, discuss new ideas/challenges, or ask questions.

Below is the zoom information:

Meeting ID: 892 5216 5305
Passcode: 831422

Dial by your location
 +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
OUTDOOR SEATING
Outdoor seating is permitted from May 1st through October 31st with hours of operation from 7:00 am until 11:00 pm. 

All previously issued permits must be renewed annually. The Manistee Downtown Development Authority is responsible for issuing these permits within the downtown district.

If you have in the past or would like to offer outdoor seating in 2022 please see the information below.

  • Complete the application form (page 4 of attachment 2nd link).
 
  • Provide a site plan showing the proposed outdoor dining area with measurements including a representation showing that at least 5 feet of unobstructed sidewalk space will remain for pedestrians.
 
  • Photos or drawings of furniture to be used, or other graphic representations of furniture and umbrellas including color and material. Please refer to the attachments regarding what is allowed and what is not allowed.
 
  • Proof of Insurance. The property owner must add the City of Manistee as an additional Insured onto the business liability coverage for use of City Sidewalks. If serving alcohol, the City should also be named as an Additional Insured on the business owner’s Liquor Liability coverage for use of City property to serve alcohol. Only providing a certificate of coverage is not sufficient. The certificate(s) must list the City as an additional insured on coverage for the use of City sidewalks. Please be certain to also include the certificate for liquor liability which may be a separate policy.


Return in-person/via mail to 400 River Street or email Director@ManisteeDowntown.com
CITY ORDINANCE REMINDERS
DUMPSTER AND ENCLOSURES

Dumpster regulations will be enforced starting on July 1, 2022.

Please take a moment to review Section 506 of the City of Manistee Zoning Ordinance, Article Five General Provision at this LINK.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to call the Manistee County Planning Department at
(231) 723-6041.


SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL FROM SIDEWALKS

The owner or occupant of any occupied or unoccupied business, building, or vacant lot within the Central Business District, as defined in this section, shall keep sidewalks adjacent to his or her property clear of snow and ice and not allow the same to accumulate for more than twenty-four hours.



2022 SIGNATURE COMMUNITY EVENTS
Mark your calendar!


Follow the Websites or Social Media pages linked for up-to-date information. Please be sure to check the Manistee County Visitors Bureau website VisitManistee.com for other events and information in the county!
2022 Planters & Benches

This year the DDA would like to try something NEW to add a bit of "soft scaping" to downtown. The hanging baskets are always so beautiful we want to bring that look down to the street level too!
On River Street from Division to Oak, we will be strategically placing the planters and benches for 2022. The planters will be placed closer to the street in line with the light posts. They will also be planted with flowers matching the hanging baskets and in the fall will be replanted with mums, cabbage, and kale until the holiday garland and bows go up. Businesses please also feel free to purchase pots to decorate around your entries or outdoor seating areas.

If you are outside the area above and we haven't spoken to you please email us if you want a planter or a bench in by April 25 at director@manisteedowntown.com.

We hope you will enjoy this change and if you do have a planter by your location and it needs a bit of water we hope you will give it a drink to make these look spectacular the whole season!
Downtown Clean-Up Day
The Chamber Leadership group is doing the Manistee County Big Day of Serving on June 11. It would be a good day to make downtown sparkle and shine!

Is there a project on your spring cleaning list that you can plan to tackle this day? Maybe plan to clean windows inside/out, sweep sidewalks or approaches, and paint your outside door/building trim.


"THE STEE" SOCIAL DISTRICT

Open 365 days a year
11:00 am to 10:00 pm daily




What is a Social District?

It is a designated area where patrons ages 21 + can purchase an alcoholic beverage from participating establishments in a logo cup and can carry/consume it outdoors within the parameters of the district.

Participating Establishments:

  • Blue Fish Kitchen + Bar
  • Taco 'Bout It Mexican Fusion
  • TJ's Pub
  • North Channel Brewing Co.

PLEASE NOTE: All State of Michigan and City of Manistee laws apply, including but not limited to those prohibiting public intoxication, impaired driving, open containers, and serving alcohol to minors.


If your establishment would like to allow people to shop with a drink? We have specially designed window clings just for you!

Manistee Downtown Development Authority ManisteeDowntown.com