The ins and outs of a small town

By Jacob Wheeler
Current Editor

Beulah, the cozy hamlet on Crystal Lake, is feeling fresh as summer nears. L’Chayim’s bagels are back, Ann Loveless of State of the Art Gallery has one more prestigious ArtPrize under her quilt, and the business district has fewer vacant storefronts than it did at this time last year.

“I see a change a’comin’,” says Mary Perzigian, who moved Luna Boutique into the roomy and well-positioned space that was formerly occupied by Mary Lane’s Live for Art Gallery, which has closed. Luna vacated its previous location, just a couple blocks north, in early April.

“This is a busier block, right in the thick of things,” Perzigian says. “When Mary [Lane] decided not to re-open, she actually came down and asked me, ‘Why don’t you take the space? It’s perfect for Luna.’”

The space is larger, brighter, and a better shopping experience for customers, according to Perzigian, who says that she can display twice as much merchandise as she did in the old store. Moreover, she says that new people are coming to Luna.

“They say that they always wanted to visit my store, but we were down on other end of the block,” she says.

Mary Lane, meanwhile, is trying her hand at video-editing now, but she continues to run Jonathan Clark’s “off-the-wall art” just across the street at L’Chayim.

So what went into the space that Luna vacated? Déjà Vu, a resale store of things of the past, things of the present, and things that are eclectic. Stroll in, and you will see vintage clothing dating back to the 1930s, a decorative Hawaiian statue, and other unique offerings.

Benzie native Marsha Maria Driver opened the store in March and runs it with the help of her children, daughter Odessa and son Cyan.

Northern Décor is still a Beulah mainstay, but owner Kitty Ely just opened a new store in Frankfort called Pier Fun, which will feature purses, jewelry, clothing, and shoes. Pier Fun is in the spot where Olsen-Sayles Gift Shop resided for years.

“The building opened up, and I wanted a bigger space,” Ely says. “Frankfort’s a great town with lots of action. So we decided to take the dive!”

Look for coverage in a future edition of The Betsie Current about the new name of Beulah’s great coffee shop, soon-to-be formerly known as Blue Caribou Café. We will also feature a few new businesses that are coming to Elberta and the top of the hill just outside of Frankfort.

Photo caption: Mary Perzigian moved Luna Boutique down the street to a larger space in Beulah’s hub. Photo by Jacob Wheeler.