The Grand Hotel
Mackinac Island, Michigan

Peek behind the scenes in winter 2021, living on an isolated, frozen Mackinac Island, working on a legacy historical hotel—redesigning and building out 10 new retail concepts. The project was built out during a bucolic, Covid-laden winter with a team of 300 construction magicians. This is the biggest life adventure and the most interesting and logistically challenging project of my career to date.

Frozen island at 16 degrees through the “back way” on a fast snowmobile (and/or a horse and carriage) from the frozen lake.

Mackinac Island has a strict no motor-powered cars policy, making it the ultimate adventure in travel and design/build-outs and definitely the biggest logistical adventure of my career.

Horses are the ONLY form of transport for people, luggage, food and provisions shipments, and building supplies, complicating everything and tempered with charm and sweetness.

All transportation and shipping is HORSE and carriage or sleigh; all building supplies, products, and fixtures—EVERYTHING—are ferried on a boat across the lake (if not frozen).

Typically deserted Mackinac Island main street.

Mackinac Island is completely deserted and isolating during the long, icy winter; the only market on the island, Doud’s, serves as the heart of the island, and fresh produce is VERY hard to get!!

The town and merchants slowly come back and repaint, regroup and rework; the energy is pure magic.

Being towed in a sleigh with your luggage crammed between your knees is an all-new traveling WOW!

Chele traveling by sleigh

Mackinac Island in April

Mackinac Island, thawing out and serene as properties prepare for tourist season and reopening.

Clothing store display with racks of colorful shirts, jackets, and hats, and a mannequin dressed in a blue sweater, plaid shorts, and a straw hat.
Three teddy bears hanging on a clothing rack with colorful T-shirts. The T-shirt on the left has blue sleeves and says 'Grand Hotel Mackinac Island' with a sun and bridge graphic. The middle T-shirt is white with orange sleeves and says 'just another
Display of children's books and toys, including stuffed animals, on a table in front of green wall with framed art pieces.
Display of children's toys, books, and plush animals arranged on a table in a toy or gift shop with pastel-colored walls.
Display of children's toys, books, and clothing in a brightly decorated store with framed art on the wall.
A retail store display featuring decorative items and souvenirs related to the Grand Hotel, including pillows, towels, and artwork, with shelves and racks of clothing and other merchandise in the background.
A retail display features mannequins dressed in black and floral clothing, with accessories like bags and scarves, in a boutique setting with shelves of jewelry in the background.
Gift shop interior with black and white checkered floor, mint green walls, and pink paper lantern ceiling lights; display shelves with toys, plush animals, and greeting cards.
Entrance to Grand Kids, a store with a black and white checkered floor, white trim, and hanging lamps inside.
Clothing display in a retail store with racks of colorful shirts and jackets; mannequins dressed in casual attire; a framed map on the wall; tables with folded clothes and accessories; bright lighting and polished wooden floors.
Display table with red flowers, embroidered pillow, and folded clothing in a store with a sign reading 'Shakespeare' in the background.