Bay County

Wayne Douglass always dreamed of owning his own business, but surprised himself when he founded a cheesecake bakery.

Young Entrepreneurs: Baker cut his teeth in the cheesecake business inside City Market

Wayne Douglass said he had long dreamed of owning his own business, but he never imagined it would be as a baker of cheesecakes.

Lisa Wegner enjoyed shoe shopping so much that she opened up her own shoe store in Downtown Bay City.
Shoe lovers have a new place to shop in Downtown Bay City

Lisa Wegner enjoyed shoe shopping so much that she opened up her own shoe store in Downtown Bay City.

Free coffee day began in 2012 and now Populace offers it a few times each year.
Ring in the holidays with great music, good company, and free coffee in Downtown Bay City

Populace Coffee is serving up free drinks on Saturday to fuel holiday shoppers in Downtown Bay City.

A team is working to restore the holiday lights that used to decorate Downtown Bay City during Christmas.
River of Lights flows through Downtown Bay City again

Local groups are looking for the holiday decorations that once made up the River of Lights, filling downtown Bay City with colorful, lighted displays during December.   

Reed has tried to create a warm, welcoming space where her customers feel at home.
Young Entrepreneurs: Infinity Bridal says “I do” to Uptown Bay City

When Britney Reed moved to Bay City in 2012, she missed the nightlife of Chicago. In 7 years, the town changed enough to inspire her to put down roots and open a business here.  

Real estate agent Ali Smith is heavily involved in multiple efforts to raise money and awareness for the American Cancer Society.
Q&A with Bay City community activist Ali Smith

Ali Smith, a Bay County real estate agent, donates much of his time to a wide range of community organizations including the American Cancer Society and a program to help youth in foster care.

Bay Future announced it has raised $1.3 million toward its $2.5 million goal for a campaign to bring jobs to Bay County.
Bay Future sets ambitious five-year goal for economic growth across Bay County

Bay Future announced plans to raise money for a five-year plan to bring new jobs to Bay County. The plan draws on support from the public and private sector.  

Amberlyn Hales opened MI Table in order to create the kind of community where her children – who range in age from 14 to 3 – will want to live as adults.
Young Entrepreneurs: Bay City restaurant owner offers new cuisine in an old building

Amberlyn Hales hopes to cook up a strong community while she's offering healthy, nutritious food at MI Table in downtown Bay City.  

Each year, a large, lighted Christmas tree is placed in Bay City’s Wenonah Park, marking the start of the holiday season.
A Holly Jolly Great Lakes Bay Region: 4 celebrations to kick off the holiday season

Get ready for a holly jolly good time with friends and family as the Great Lakes Bay Region welcomes the holiday season with a variety of events! 

The owner of 99 Trees hopes to transform the alley next to his store into an active work of art, as portrayed in this artist's rendering of the finished space.
Downtown bookstore raising money to transform Bay City alley into work of art

A local bookstore, 99 Trees, is planning several events in December to promote community engagement and raise money for a public art project.  

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