Insider Guide: Melissa McMacken

Melissa McMacken spent her childhood summers traveling the Great Lakes by boat. “Every year we would stay two weeks in East Tawas,” she says. “Eventually this led to my parents building a summer cottage just south of Tawas.” She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and started selling baked goods at the farmers’ market in East Tawas to help offset the cost of school. Eventually, with the help of her mother, she opened MarMar Gourmet, which serves made-from-scratch baked goods and soups and also sells Michigan-made products, gift baskets, aprons and more. She would later be able to expand her business with a second location called Mar’s by the Bay, which also sells everything from wine and beer to groceries to beach essentials.
 
In addition to her own business, Melissa says that O’Connor’s is “a must.” It is a family-owned store that sells men’s and women’s clothing but also has a very nice selection of jewelry, accessories, furniture and even Swarovski. Blue Bear Jewelry recently moved into town and has a “vast” selection of sterling silver jewelry in every price point.
 
Freel’s Market in Tawas City recently started smoking their own meats and has “excellent smoked Polish sausage.” She lauds their exceptional customer service as well. Brew Krew Kitchen & Bath is another gourmet kitchen and food store with a great product selection of everything from clothing and kitchen wares to candy and coffee. Mooney’s Ben Franklin is the “old five and dime store.” She says, “You can spend a lot of time in this store as there are so many items.”
 
There are two really popular bars in the area: Barnacle Bills (aka “Barney’s”), which she says has the best pizza, and Mr. Jack’ss, which has live music on the weekends. During the summer the Beach Resort (a former Holiday Inn) opens Bikini’s Beach Bar overlooking Tawas Bay. Melissa says the best food in East Tawas is at the Beach Resort, which she says is a close second for best pizza. She also says Mr. Jack’ss offers some “very nice” salads in huge portions. A new BBQ/wing restaurant and bar will also be opening soon downtown. Just north of town there is Northwoods Steakhouse, and she says Tait’s Bill of Fare in nearby Oscoda is “worth the drive … you can honestly order anything off the menu and not be disappointed.” Another one worth the drive is Rainbow Gardens in National City for delicious fresh fish.
 
For cultural events and attractions, the Tawas Bay Performing Arts just recently opened and offers dance and fitness classes from Zumba to yoga to hip hop, and also children’s art classes. In February, Perchville is a huge event sponsored by the Tawas Area Chamber of Commerce with a beer tent, live music and a Chili Cook-Off. “Both Saturday and Sunday brings a slew of people to the shores of Tawas Bay to watch crazy, brave people jumping into the COLD water [for the] Polar Bear Swim.” There’s also fishing contests for kids.
 
For eight weeks in the summer, Tuesday Night Live shuts down a portion of Newman Street downtown for live music from local bands and family-oriented events. Many downtown merchants stay open later and there’s sidewalk chalk art and face painting for kids.
 
Fourth of July is busiest in Tawas with a huge fireworks display and live entertainment along with a parade that runs from East Tawas to Tawas City. The arts & craft shows on Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend are also very popular.
 
Some other fun activities include the Corsair Ski Trails, walking the pier in East Tawas, a visit out to Tawas Point Lighthouse, scenic attractions like Iargo Springs and Lumberman’s Monument, kiteboarding at Tawas Point State Park, and the many parks of East Tawas.