Hot Saunas, Craft Condiments, Local Liqueurs & More To Look Forward To This Winter In Leelanau County

For those craving hip sips with local spirits, family-style taco dinners, (or perhaps a guided sauna session?), these projects and more are in the works now across Leelanau County. Here is a rundown of what’s new and notable in the peninsula's hospitality business:

An authentic Nordic tradition can soon be found at a sauna seat near you: Elmwood Township’s Joe Buteyn and Crystal Mason are launching Fox & Flame Sauna, offering custom-made units and guided experiences starting this winter. 

Buteyn, whose background is as a fine art furniture maker, cabinet maker and homebuilder, shares with the Leelanau Ticker that he joined a cohort of sauna entrepreneurs from around the country — including a sauna-building expert in Duluth — and is now fabricating some smaller models for clients’ private backyard use. “These are super high quality with, hopefully, a fantastic design sense mixed in,” says Buteyn.

But at the heart of the new business will be a guided by-the-seat sauna service, in a 24-foot custom unit (pictured above, with Buteyn). The couple is working with resort properties to offer pay-by-the-seat sauna experiences on-site this winter. The plan is to build out additional traveling units for guided group sauna services on demand. In all cases guides will maintain the fire and explain the sauna experience as it unfolds, share its history, and how to benefit from a sauna practice.

“A big part of that is going to be bringing joy to other people,” Buteyn says, noting that as a sauna community takes off locally, the goal is a collaborative Great Lakes Sauna Trail from Duluth to Marquette to Leelanau and beyond. Stay tuned on social media for Fox & Flame’s official launch. 

Daniel Caudill is bringing his pioneering instincts and passion for Northport to another venture (the first being the modern apothecary-style cannabis dispensary set to launch any day in the village of Northport) with a new line of small-batch pantry, bar cart, and skin care essentials under the Northport Orchards label.

After seeing first-hand the treasure trove in his own orchard and the farms and forests surrounding it, he’s since worked with local growers and conservationists to source farmed and wild ingredients — including chestnuts, quince, and even  berries from the invasive autumn olive plant — to produce condiments, liqueurs, and confections.

Caudill explains that harvesting autumn olive berries allows him and his cottage industry culinary partners to create delicacies with the uniquely tart-sweet berry, while at the same time controlling the spread of the invasive species. “The idea is to harvest the berries before the birds have an opportunity to spread the seeds,” he says, noting that autumn olive season is right now, and they are seeking local sources for berries by the gallon. (Foragers can reach out via Instagram.) 

The resulting small-batch products — all with fetching packaging — range from the puckery-sweet autumn olive liqueur, to the cheeky quetchup (quince ketchup), to a delicate marron glacé (candied chestnut). Caudill expects the full Northport Orchards line to be available for online orders and wholesale this winter. The company is also creating a quince-infused brandy in collaboration with Coppercraft Distillery in Holland, Michigan.

Mixing local craft cocktails at home for the holidays just got easier: Northern Latitudes Distillery in Lake Leelanau has officially taken the step into hyper-local distribution. The craft distillery has had tasting-room only sales since its founding in October 2012, but co-owner Mandy Moseler shares: “due to changes in Michigan liquor laws, we are now able to distribute our spirits on a limited basis [with local deliveries].” Northern Latitudes products are now in several Leelanau and Traverse City markets and liquor stores, with some distribution as far as Grand Rapids. Shawn Botruff of Northern Latitudes is also working with Leelanau County eateries to stock their bars, including at The Homestead, Leland Lodge,  Cedar Tavern, Northport Pub & Grille and Art’s Tavern. 

Also in Lake Leelanau, Fiddleheads has quietly opened with an eclectic brunch and sandwich menu at 202 West Main Street and is also serving beer, wine, and cocktails.

Suttons Bay can celebrate another year-round eatery: After Seth and Jennifer Friedman sold their Bay Burrito Company to employee Kaleb Groh at the first of September, he has been working on bringing winter operations to the once only-summertime spot. The current plan is to remain open for its first winter with enough local support, Groh notes, adding that the team will begin offering family-style takeout taco dinners on Sundays throughout the fall and winter season. After a break, the staff will be back at the burrito-crafting this Friday (October 29).