In a town known for its beauty and resilience, Chelsey Skowronski’s shop, Poppy Things, has weathered the pandemic and emerged stronger than ever, with a loyal customer base and a vision that’s only grown bigger.
Skowronski is a mother, business owner, maker, and curator. Poppy Things opened in Suttons Bay in November 2019 — just months before the pandemic hit. Despite the challenges, Skowronski’s business has flourished, and this year, she celebrates five years in operation.
“They say if you make it to five years, you’re successful and can keep going,” Skowronski said. “We have a lot of community support. All of our regulars came in, and some customers even traveled just for it. It was a really cool feeling, and I definitely feel the love from the community.”
Skowronski faced a tough winter season after opening, but in March 2020, COVID-19 forced her to close until Memorial Weekend.
“I was already bracing myself for a hard winter, opening in the off-season,” she said. “I hurried and put everything online, offered curbside pickup, shipping, and made face masks.”
When Poppy Things reopened in June 2020, business unexpectedly boomed. Skowronski was amazed by the year-overyear growth, even through the pandemic.
Since opening, Poppy Things has expanded from 1,000 to 1,500 square feet.
“We knocked down the wall between the stores, and now we have a home decor side, a children’s section, and an apparel and accessory side,” she said. “I’m glad I did that, because I can curate more and give customers more of what they’re looking for. Being able to offer more has really helped with our success.”
The store prides itself on catering to both locals and tourists and represents over 300 small, women-owned businesses.
Skowronski’s journey has been a balancing act. She and her husband, Jason, now have two young children — Leo, 2, and Jack, born in June.
The family recently bought a home because of the store’s success.
“It’s been a wild ride, and each year just gets better and better,” she said. “I’m so thankful to be part of the community and to live my dream every day.”
Raising two kids while running a business is challenging, she admits.
“It’s hard running on coffee and little sleep, but thankfully both my parents and my husband’s parents live in the area. I’d rather be doing this and be a little stressed out than working for someone else doing something I don’t love.”
Three weeks after Jack was born, he had his first day in the shop. That same week marked a record-breaking week for Poppy Things.
As winter approaches, Skowronski is focused on holiday sales, shipping, and expanding her online presence.
“I work harder on that during the winter to make up for lower in-person foot traffic. I also try to host workshops and community events to bring people in during the off-season,” she said.
Poppy Things has come a long way since its early days. Through perseverance, community support, and a lot of hard work, Skowronski has built a thriving business that remains a cornerstone of Suttons Bay.
