Jun 20, 2008
Seasonal shop stays busy year-roundBy Jeni JewellWLUCTV6.com

Dollar Bay — Some seasonal shops across the Upper Peninsula are forced to close during months when tourism slows. However, one shop in the Keweenaw found a way to supplement tourism profits.

Orders are pouring into Keweenaw Gem & Gift as fast as the staff can fill them.

“Our Petoskey polishing kits—we can never make enough of those,” said employee Kay DeForge. “We’ve made about 700 so far.”

The retail store on Memorial Road in Houghton is fairly popular in summer months. However, it’s the wholesale orders that bring in the money. They make up almost 80 percent of the business’ profit.

Keweenaw Gem & Gift ships products around the world. That includes 200 shops in Michigan.

“It’s a lot of work,” said owner Ken Flood. “It’s labor intensive, but, for myself, I do enjoy it still.”

Flood says copper and Petoskey stone products are his largest sellers. He has engineered new designs, like copper eggs, squares and hearts.

“We’re always looking for different products,” Flood said. “Right now we’re experimenting. Everything is always new and different.

At the foundry, employees pour “splash” copper, which looks similar to float copper. It sells as fast as they can make it.

The big stones are turned into book ends, clocks and other decorations. Foundry employees also fill custom orders, like cutting through a 3′ x 3′ x 1 1/2′ foot rock, turning it into slabs.