During the Fourth of July week, Hansen Food in Suttons Bay saw a record week in terms of business as the local grocery store served and capitalized on one of the biggest weeks of the year, according to Hansen coowner Dani Dergiotis.
In August, Hansen Foods announced a partnership with a former Leelanau County business as Mikowski’s Meat Market & Deli struck a deal with Hansen’s to sell fresh and smoked meats. Hansen’s and Mikowski’s will announce the partnership to the community during a cookout on August 16 from noon to 4 p.m. that will allow for sampling of products. The two local companies have been partnering quietly since May 2.
“They were gracious enough to invite us to come make some of our products at their location on a weekly basis, ultimately bringing us back to Leelanau County. We currently are making on site (at Hansen’s) all the fresh brats, sausage links, and bulk sausages,” Mikowski’s co-owner Donald Jackson said.
On the smoked side of things, Mikowski will be making snack sticks, hot dogs, brats, bolognas, summer sausages, and a few other items. There was a mutual benefit from the standpoint of needing consistent smoke and fresh meats.
“After several meetings on what Hansen’s was looking for and what we could bring to the table, we were able to work out the logistics on our end to be able to give them what they need from that standpoint,” Jackson said.
Roger Mikowski moved from Maple City to Karlin to start his own business, Mikowski’s Market, with Leelanau lovers of smoked meats making the trip to the new store. Mikowski had provided products for Hansen’s in the past on a smaller scale when the grocery store was in a pinch. The meat crew of Mikowski’s will be working at Hansen’s every Thursday.
“It’s another way to get our product out there. There are a lot of customers that knew of Mikowski’s in the past and were used to getting the product up until about 10 years ago,” Jackson said. “A lot of customers still don’t know we’re not there and that we have our own location again (near Interlochen). This gives our customers another opportunity instead of driving.”
Roger and Shelley Mikowski, along with Jackson, are co-owners of the business. Jackson is married to Jennifer Jackson (Mikowski), who is a first-grade teacher at Glen Lake. It’s still as much a family business as ever for Mikowski’s Meat Market.
Hansen’s and Mikowski’s still have some details to iron out for the official launch, but there will definitely be free hot dogs given out on Aug. 16.
“Hansen was great enough to give us the opportunity. It’s a win-win for both of us and will end up being a strong partnership.”
