08/31/2026
This November, Poppy Things as a storefront will be 7. Lucky, beautiful, number 7.
Even when I’m exhausted after a busy season, the shop remains my safe haven, my true home. Whenever anything feels uncertain, I’ve always had the shop as a constant. And that has been the greatest gift, to do what I love everyday and share it with all of you.
2026 to date has been my strongest year in business yet. The reputation we’re building in our community, throughout Leelanau County, and as a destination when visiting Suttons Bay is at a phenomenal high, and I’m so grateful.
Amidst the success of this year, I have been feeling the lowest of lows in terms of stability of the building where Poppy Things has built a home the last 7 years. I haven’t shared much of this publicly, because there is so much up in the air and I value the relationship I have with my landlords (and the InterArts Building) very much, so much so, that I have been working towards purchasing the building this past year.
Long story short, throughout this process I had been working towards securing a 5 year lease while we sorted through the building purchase. That way, whether or not I am able to buy the building, I know that I have a secure location for at least that amount of time should someone else purchase it; giving me time to find a new location should I be displaced.
While I was assured verbally that I would be granted a 5 year lease, I continued making plans for improvements and renovations on my expanded space and current space. The day before I was to sign said lease, I was informed that my lease would only be through March, 2027. That’s seven months from now. They do plan to revisit the longer lease before that term is up, but all of this is to say—there’s simply just so much uncertainty right now in my location.
This is NOT an attack on my landlords or a call to action, while I do not like this situation I also understand why they are doing it. I’m writing this to let you all know that I truly don’t know if this is my last year in this location or not. I want to stay here as long as I can, and I hope that in a year or two from now I can write to you saying that I am the proud owner of this building. But for now, it’s just nerves, anxiety and unsureness.
This is also the reason I have not made any new progress with the InterArts space.
Please send all the positive vibrations, intentions, and prayers as I head into year 7. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, even if that means that this location will no longer be my home. For now, we are here until March 2027.
Love you, Chelsey
