"Best of Boyne/Charlevoix" named by readers of Northern Express

Boyne area stores and restaurants did quite well in the Northern Express "Best of Northern Michigan" voting results. The photo below is "Eclectic Gift Store" winner Cindi Malin and her assistants Bob and Bing from CindiFranco's Cool Stuff. Here are the winners in the Boyne/Charlevoix division:

H A N G I N G O U T

All-round hangout: Cafe Sante
20-something hangout: Red Mesa Grill
Live music: Cafe Sante

Happy hour: Red Mesa Grill

Place to meet singles: Cafe Sante

Place for a first date: Sommerset Pointe Yacht Club

Hair Salon: Red Brick Salon

Spa services: Solace Spa @ Boyne Mountain

S H O P P I N G

Window displays: The Bird’s Nest

Place to pamper your pet: Northern Pet

Salon

Art gallery: Freshwater Studio

Athletic gear shop: No Boundaries

Place for chocolate: Alpine Chocolate Haus

Jewelry store: Beyond Borders

Eclectic Gift store: Cindi Franco’s Cool Stuff

D I N I N G

Restaurant staff: (Tie) Boyne River Inn and Cafe Sante

Healthiest restaurant: Red Mesa Grill

Lunch: Water Street Cafe

Bread/bakery store: Johann’s Breadbox Bakery

Bar food: Boyne River Inn

Breakfast: Water Street Cafe

Family restaurant: Red Mesa Grill

Gourmet restaurant: Grey Gables Inn

Pasta: Giuseppe’s Italian Grill

Mexican: Red Mesa Grill

Appetizers/small plates: (Tie) Morel’s Bistro - Shanahan’s Prime

Salads: Stafford’s Weathervane

Burger: The Villager Pub (Charlevoix)

Seafood: Grey Gables Inn

Steak: Stafford’s Weathervane

Outdoor deck scene: Shanahan’s Prime (Charlevoix Country Club)

New restaurant: Morel’s Bistro

Grain Train considers adding new store in BC; Open house here April 20

The Grain Train Natural Foods Market will host an open house informational meeting from 10 a.m. to 12 noon Saturday, April 20, at 104 S. Park St. in downtown Boyne City. This is the location being considered by the Grain Train for a possible new store. "We'd like to get your input and gauge interest in a Grain Train store in downtown Boyne City," store officials said. They note that the Boyne Area Chamber of Commerce has started a petition to gather support; if you'd like to join more than 500 others and sign the petition, follow this link. If you would like to support this idea or have questions, stop by on April 20. The Grain Train will have staff on hand to answer questions and gather your input. There will be some potential floor layouts to look at, samples to try and membership information available. The Grain Train will also be at the Boyne Chamber Business Expo on April 25 from 3-7 p.m.

Taste of Boyne includes food, beer and wine tasting

This year's Taste of Boyne at the Boyne Area Chamber's Business Expo includes 13 food booths plus two for wine and beer tasting. For the admission price of $5, everyone attending the Expo receives a Taste Card giving them one taste at all 15 booths. Here are this year's tasty participants:

• Alpine Chocolat Haus
• Porter Creek Fish House at Sommerset Pointe
• Boyne Mountain Restaurants
• BC Pizza
• BCHS Team Hospitality
• Barrel Black Restaurant
• Charlevoix Country Club
• Farmhouse Flatbread & Cracker Co.
• Glen's Market
• The Grain Train
• Green Plate Catering
• The Jordan Inn
• Mackinaw Trail Winery
• Petoskey Brewing Company
• Spicy Bob's Italian Express

The Expo is presented by Northwestern Bank at the former Carter's Store, 1315 Boyne Ave. in Boyne City. Highlights include 1,300 fun-loving people, 95 booths, a bar with several varieties of Petoskey Brewing Co. beer and Michigan wines, great music from A+ Digital DJs, dozens of giveaways, and vehicles from 3 auto dealers. Exhibitor booths sold out three weeks before the event.
> List of exhibitors |  Expo website |  Photos