Michigan
There is a classic scene in the 1997 movie Hook when academy award winner Dustin Hoffman, playing an overly dramatic Captain Hook, has an epiphany in the quarters of his pirate ship. He’s depressed, as waging war with the lost boys is no longer enough – he craves more adventure. With a gun to his temple, Captain Hook prepares for his own demise, until his bumbling servant Smee comes to his aid.
Smee has his own epiphany – he encourages Captain Hook to convince Peter Pan’s children to love him. (Reader’s note: in case you haven’t seen the movie, in this version of the classic story, Peter Pan has grown up, has a family, and returns to Neverland to rescue his own children.) The scene sets the plot for the rest of the movie as Hook is reenergized to battle Peter Pan.
Changing tactics isn’t just for pirates. Every business that has lasted a generation has adapted and evolved. This edition of the Michigan Retailer focuses on Centennial Retailers – those that have been in business for at least 100 years. It’s truly a remarkable accomplishment, achieved through hard work, adaptability, and forward-thinking.
The last few years have presented new challenges for retailers. Inflation, supply chain disruption, and labor shortages have made it harder to simply sell one’s goods. We like bringing you stories of success and highlighting the proven tactics of your peers. Our goal in this publication is to inspire you and provide new insights that will help you grow your business.
We hope you’re reenergized for 2023, even if it involves changing tactics.
Bill Golden Chair
Golden Shoes, Traverse City
William J. Hallan President & CEO Michigan Retailers Association
Bryan Neiman Vice Chair
Neiman’s Family Market, St. Clair
Peter R. Sobelton Treasurer Mondial Properties, Birmingham
Bo Brines Past Chair
Little Forks Outfitters, Midland
Kim Edsenga Meijer, Inc., Grand Rapids
Becky Beauchine Kulka
Becky Beauchine Kulka Diamonds and Fine Jewelry, Okemos
Dan Marshall Marshall Music Company, Lansing
Orin Mazzoni, Jr. Orin Jewelers, Northville
Joseph McCurry Credit Card Group
Raeann Rouse Bridge Street Baby, Rockford
Thomas Ungrodt TDU Consulting, LLC, Ann Arbor
Larry Meyer Board Member Emeritus
D. Larry Sherman Board Member Emeritus
William J. Hallan President & CEO
Rachel Hurst Kroger Co. of Michigan, Novi
John Leppink Leppink’s Food Centers, Belding
Kendra Patterson Michigan Barn Wood & Salvage, Mason
Joe Swanson Target, Retired
William J. Hallan Publisher
Andrea Bitely Editor
Rachel Schrauben Copy Editor and Content Manager
Josh Delany Design and Layout
Shandra Martinez Contributor
Josh Delany Photographer
WILLIAM J. HALLAN MRA President and Chief Executive OfficerSchrauben at rschrauben@retailers.com
“We always hold hands. If I let go, she shops.”
– Henry Youngman, Comedian
General Counsel
While purchasing various gifts over this past holiday season, I noticed that many retailers were very specific in outlining their return policies. In most instances the time frame for returns was much shorter than I have previously experienced. The most extreme example was a mere fourteen days for the return of technology. In some instances, retailers even charge a re-stocking fee. The reason behind these strict policies, of course, is shrinking profit margins due to higher costs at nearly every stage in the process.
Interestingly enough, there are no federal laws pertaining to the return of goods and only a handful of states have anything in statute. Michigan has no laws regulating returns. As a result, retailers are free to set their own policies, except for when the product is defective and a return or replacement is necessary for consumer protection purposes.
It is highly advisable to have a specific return policy that is conspicuously posted in your store and on your website. It’s also helpful if your employees mention the policy at the time of checkout. The policy should not only include the timeframe for returns but also whether the return will be in the form of an exchange, store credit or refund, whether the refund will only be in the form in which the original purchase was made, and any conditions attendant to the return such as requiring receipts or tags or some form of identification.
Returns are an unfortunate reality of any retail business and can oftentimes incur additional expense. However, happy customers are a necessity to a thriving business. The best course of action is to develop a return policy that is fair to both the business and the consumer while minimizing the negative impact on your bottom line.
Driving new customers to your business is one of the most challenging parts of being in business. Using social media is one important way to entice people into becoming a new or returning customer.
However, social media is highly visual. Photos of your products will catch the eye of potential customers. Making an investment in high-quality professional photos for your core items makes sense because those photos will be used for years to come.
But getting professional photos of each and every product can be expensive and time consuming. How can you keep your social feed fresh on your own? Snap photos yourself.
Sound daunting? Try these 5 tips to make the process a little easier.
1. Clean your lens. If you are taking photos with your smartphone, use a soft cloth to gently wipe any debris or oils from the lens. If your lens is damaged in any way, consider borrowing a phone or camera.
2. Try a tripod. While your hands might seem steady, adding an inexpensive tripod to your photo-taking plans will allow you to ensure stable photos.
3. Take more photos than you need. While you’re taking photos, the more the merrier. Try different angles and lighting, add other products alongside the central product.
4. Lighting. Natural daylight is the best for most products, but if you are debuting a new product in Michigan in the months of December, January, February or even early March, opt for artificial light. Use a desk lamp with an adjustable neck, or even try aiming a flashlight with a wide beam at different angles to highlight your products in its best light.
5. Avoid zooming. While it may seem contrary to taking close up shots of your product, a heavy zoom on a product reduces quality. Instead, bring your camera closer.
Need ideas for how to improve your photos? Drop me a line! abitely@retailers.com
The Michigan Grocers Fund was established in 2014 with the sole purpose of keeping members’ workers’ compensation costs low, reliable and predictable. Owned and operated by its members, the Michigan Grocers Fund offers the same protection as an insurance company.
The difference lies in the way settlements work - the decision-making board is composed of members, who understand the grocery business and the challenges it brings.
As a reward for ensuring the safety of employees, The Fund returns all premiums not used for claims or administrative expenses to members. Since the Fund’s inception, members have received $3,377,000, dollars to re-invest in their business.
Are you eligible to join the Michigan Grocers Fund? Find out by scanning the QR code below.
MRA’s annual scholarship competition has launched for the 2023-24 academic year. The Foundation will award 12 scholarships, each worth $3,500. Contributions to the MRA Foundation come from MRA members, directors, employees, and other donors.
The following contributors have helped establish our 12 named awards.
• Helen McCurry Platinum Legacy Scholarship
(established by Joseph McCurry in honor of his late wife)
Joseph is an executive with Credit Card Group, based in Georgia, previous executive with Dovetail Alliance and The High Point Group, retired Detroit district general manager for Sears, Roebuck and Co., and former staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force.
• D. Larry Sherman Platinum Legacy Scholarship
Operated Sherman’s Shoes in downtown Birmingham, founded by his parents, Fred E. and Lillian in 1925.
• Raymond A. and Mildred C. Sobelton Platinum Legacy Scholarship (established by Peter Sobelton and sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Douglas Stranahan)
Peter is former owner of Sundries Plus and Churchill’s Ltd., tobacco and gift stores in Birmingham.
• Joseph Swanson Platinum Legacy Scholarship
Retired District Team Leader for Target Corp. and current consultant with Big Springs Enterprises in Naubinway.
• Walsh Family Platinum Legacy Scholarship
(established by Jim & Kathy Walsh)
Jim is retired chief financial officer of Meijer, Inc. and taught finance at Aquinas College.
• Paul M. Felice and Al Kessel Memorial Platinum Legacy Scholarship
Paul M. Felice is former Michigan Grocers Association chairman and director and Kessel founded Kessel Food Markets in Saginaw and Flint.
• (6) MRA Legacy Scholarships
MRA Legacy Scholarship donors include:
• Nathan Rosenfeld
Purchased Jacobson Stores, Inc. from the Jacbson family in 1939.
• Mark Schrag and Friends Mark and wife Nancy owned and operated Seasons in Okemos.
• Schwark Family, including brothers James, Tom and Michael, in honor of their late parents Kenneth and Margaret Schwark
Kenneth founded southeast Michigan’s Schwark Furniture store chain, Sycamore Hills Golf Club in Macomb Twp., and helped construct the Shelby Square shopping center in Shelby Twp.
• Barb Stein
Retired owner of Great Northern Trading Co. in Rockford.
• Tom Ungrodt
President of TDU Consulting, LLC.
• John Mayleben, in honor of his late wife, Linda Mayleben
John is the retired Senior Vice President Technology and New Product Development at Michigan Retailers Association.
• Jean and Thomas Sarasin
Jean is retired Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Michigan Retailers Association and Retailers Insurance Company.
• Dan Marshall, in honor of Willis W. and Mary Jane Marshall
Dan is president of Marshall Music Company, based in Lansing.
• Orin and Tina Mazzoni and Family Orin Jr. is president of Orin Jewelers, Inc., a family-owned business in Northville.
• Bo Brines and Family
Bo owns Little Forks Outfitters, located in Midland.
• Judy and Rodney Phillips
Rod owns Country Casuals in Petoskey.
• W. Bruce and Joyce M. Rogers
Bruce and Joyce owned Bartling’s, a women’s clothing store, in Traverse City from 1972 to 2001.
• Bill Golden
Co-President of Golden Shoes, a centennial retailer in Traverse City.
• Becky Beauchine Kulka
Becky owns Becky Beauchine Kulka Diamonds & Fine Jewelry located in Okemos.
• Jeff and Doreen Joyce
Jeff operates Mieras Family Shoes, a centennial retailer located in Grand Rapids.
• Larry and Gail Meyer
Larry is retired President and CEO of Michigan Retailers Association.
Since its inception in 1999, the Foundation has awarded more than 600 scholarships to Michigan students, totaling more than $650,000.
For a complete list of Foundation donors, visit Retailers.com/mra-foundationcontributors.
Deadline to apply is April 1, 2023. Learn more and start your application here:
From hardware to candy, five retailers share the stories of their centennial businesses from the beginning until now, along with the strategies behind their success.
BY: SHANDRA MARTINEZ
The number of retail companies that make it to the 100-year mark is minuscule. What’s the secret to longevity? It’s a family that is committed over generations, or someone willing to come in and keep the business going. Michigan Retailer reached out to five centennial businesses to learn how they began, how they serve customers now, and their advice to other retailers.
Then: Charles A. Dickinson and his uncle, Leonard S. Dickinson, started the Fennville hardware store around 1880. Charles’ son, Donald Henry Dickinson, took it over at age 22 when his father died in 1925. He eventually outgrew the location, moved the store across Main Street in the 1950s, and created a stateof-the-art hardware business. His son, Charles Leonard Dickinson, joined him in about 1952.
UPS and is an Amazon delivery site, and offers Just Ask Rental equipment and party supplies. Bob and Kym Dickinson Zumbrink, the son-in-law and daughter of Charles Leonard and Sally, bought the business in 1981. Later they purchased the True Value hardware store across the street to 11 E Main St., creating Dickinson True Value. The couple’s children and grandchildren (fifth and sixth generations) now help in the store.
Advice: “Give great, friendly service, and be willing to change with the times. Get to know your customers personally by name,” said Kym Dickinson Zumbrink. “One of the biggest honors we’ve had is meeting the people of our wide-reaching and diverse communities and serving them to the best of our ability. It is very rewarding, and we feel blessed to be a part of this centennial family hardware in this wonderful community.”
Now: The store carries a complete line of sporting goods, plumbing and electrical, paint, lawn and garden, automotive, tools, pet supplies, pet and livestock feed, water heaters, door, window and cabinetry hardware, and housewares. It also ships
Then: David L. Powers arrived in Jonesville in 1890 to start a men’s and boys’ clothing store. His son, Ralph M. Powers, became a partner at age 21, and the business was renamed D.L. Powers and Son. In the early 1950s, Ralph’s son Monty Powers brought the store into a new era, adding luxuries such as air conditioning and carpeting.
Now: Today, the business is Powers Clothing, 227 E. Chicago St. It is operated by the fourth, fifth, and sixth generations of David L. Powers’ family, including Dave Pope, Jim Pope, Marcy Pope Boone and Sara Sauber. The store has sold Carhartt clothing for 130 years, longer than any other dealer in the country. It offers custom tailoring for suits, dress shirts, pants and even Carhartt clothing, all done in the store.
Advice: “Two components you must earn daily are satisfied customers and cooperative vendors,” David Pope said. “We have always created relationships outside of the business by being active and contributing our time, talent, and money to local causes. When our customers arrive, we treat them like family and friends. We treat vendors as partners.”
Then: Linn & Owen can trace its history to Jesse Hanes, who opened Hanes
Jewelry at 121 E. Washtenaw St. in 1917. In 1927, Jesse sold it to his sonin-law Henry Linn and his partner, Harry Scutter. In 1933, Joseph Owens became a partner. Linn & Owen Jewelers stayed in its original neighborhood for 65 years
the business for nearly a half-century.
Advice: “If not for my ‘dinosaur’ attitude, we would not be going strong at this point,” Powell said. “Many would name me a fool for not creating an online store, but the bench work consumes 100% of our time, and the way I see it, we are still one little place, instead of one of many thousands on the internet. I’m sticking with what I know.”
until the current owner, Stewart Powell, moved the store around the corner to 223 S. Washington Square in 2007.
Now: Powell, who bought the business in 1993, began by sweeping floors and learning engraving during high school and college. He then apprenticed in
Then: Buckley Shoes was founded in Bad Axe in 1894 by Spencer Blakely and has since provided comfortable, stylish, and affordable shoes to the Thumb. The business remained in the family for four generations until Spencer’s greatgrandson, Robert Blakely, sold it to Greg Marciniak in 2018. He’s worked in the shoe business for decades, including 20 years managing Allen Shoes in Bay City.
jewelry repair, design, and manufacturing, followed by horology (watchmaking), gemology, and appraising. He’s been with
Now: The store, at 159 E Huron Ave., has navigated away from children’s shoes as
(cont. on next page)
demand for high quality has waned, and it now carries higher quality men’s and women’s shoes. Buckley’s Shoes is the only independent shoe store in Huron County and the surrounding counties of Tuscola, Sanilac, and Bay. Marciniak estimates 40% of business comes within 50 miles.
Advice: “We’ve learned to adapt,” Marciniak said. “You can’t just be stuck in what you used to do 10 years ago. We have a POS system that tracks purchases. I send out postcards to the top-tier customers every January, thanking them for their business and giving them a $35 reduction on any $100 purchase. Last year I sent out 500 cards and got 78 back, which I was thrilled with because the average response is 3%.”
Then: Donckers, at 137 W. Washington St. in Marquette, had belonged to the
same candy-making family for 112 years when Tom Vear asked about buying the building. The deal struck in 2007 by Fred Donckers – great-grandson of the founder – required Veer to take over the business. Vear and his wife, Jen Ray, had moved to the Upper Peninsula community in 2001 from Chicago to live in a quiet community. Ray graduated from high school in Marquette.
Now: The couple rehabbed the building, adding a candy-making operation and
a restaurant. They have 40 employees. They also purchased a shoe store next door, opened a store, Evergreen, on the main level, and plan to turn the upstairs into an event space. They now have room to expand into wholesale sales.
Advice: “It’s all about passion and vision. Our business is about the employees and the customers. We think a lot about how we do business and the culture we want to create,” Ray said.
48909-7514
517.373.0857
joetate@house.mi.gov
GLENN WHITE Deputy Treasurer, Revenue Services, Michigan Dept. of Treasury
Tax season is underway, but it doesn’t have to be stressful! The Michigan Department of Treasury offers retailers actionable tips to help simplify and streamline the filing and payment process, as well as due date reminders.
USE Michigan Treasury Online (MTO). MTO is free, secure, and available 24 hours a day. Retailers who use MTO to interact electronically will avoid calculation errors and mailing issues. At mto.treasury.michigan.gov, retailers can:
• File business tax returns and make corresponding payments.
• Send required tax forms and documentation (e.g., Power of Attorney, W-2s and 1099s, Notice of Discontinuance, etc.).
• View account history, Treasury-issued correspondence, and previously filed tax information.
REVIEW your business tax registration information. Retail businesses may have registered with Treasury years ago, so ensure your information is still accurate by visiting MTO. Your registration data is used to determine tax obligations, send correspondence to the legal address, establish power of attorney permissions, and verify business status.
SUBMIT the Authorized Representative Declaration
(Power of Attorney): Form 151. Form 151 permits the disclosure of protected tax account information to another entity or person (tax preparer, family member, etc.). The form was revised in June 2022; visit Treasury’s taxes website for all the resources you need to properly fill this form out and get it filed. Go to michigan.gov/taxes, scroll down to ‘Popular Forms’ and click the ‘Authorized Representative Declaration: Form 151’ link.
MEET your
Electronic filing and payment of the following tax returns are not required (with a few exceptions) but are strongly encouraged for almost everyone.
• All retailers who operated in 2022 must file the 2022 Sales, Use, and Withholding (SUW) Taxes Annual Return by February 28, 2023.
• Most state copies of W-2s and 1099s are due by January 31, 2023. These forms must be filed separately from a retailer’s annual tax return.
• Tax year 2023 filing frequency changes for SUW taxes were mailed in November 2022 and effective January 1, 2023.
Treasury understands that taxes can be complicated and urges retailers to consider the benefits of using qualified tax professionals who are current on the latest tax changes, forms, and relevant exemptions.
The 2023 omnibus appropriations bill signed by President Biden on December 29, 2022 contained two amendments aimed at increasing workplace protections for expectant and nursing mothers nationwide.
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) was modeled after the Americans with Disabilities Act. It requires employers with 15 or more employees to make “reasonable accommodations” (such as limits on heavy lifting or additional bathroom breaks) to known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Currently, federal law only requires such accommodations if employers provide them to workers with injuries or medical conditions. Covered employers do not have to comply if they can show that the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the organization. The PWFA takes effect on June 27, 2023.
The PUMP For Nursing Mothers Act (PUMP Act) expands workplace protections for nursing employees by requiring employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to provide all employees (exempt and non-exempt) reasonable time and private space, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public to express breast milk for one year following the birth of a child. Previously, this right under the FLSA only applied to non-exempt employees. The Pump Act takes effect on April 28, 2023.
WIC – Temporary formula substitutes for Similac brand products will end after February 28. WIC encourages them to have adequate inventory of Similac branded formulas prior to discontinuation of the substitute formulas. Contact the WIC office with any issues stocking Similac brand formulas or with any questions or concerns at or 517.335.8937 or mdhhs-wicvendor@michigan.gov.
SNAP – The USDA has officially announced that SNAP emergency allotments, which were implemented as a temporary increase in SNAP benefits (additional $95) during the COVID-19 pandemic, will officially end in February 2023. Benefit payments will return to normal in March 2023.
The Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) will require retailers to use Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for all beer and wine purchases from wholesalers beginning March 31. The commission moved to require EFT payments for all spirits purchases in November 2021. A list of primary contacts for questions or issues with EFT payments at each wholesale company is being compiled and should be available soon.
The National Retail Federation tracks expected spend per person for holidays and occasions throughout the year including several winter/spring events worth planning sales and events around. Of the non-winter holidays, moms are generally at the top of the list for spending followed by a near tie between Valentine’s Day, Father’s Day gifts, and Easter celebrations. And don’t forget about tax refunds! While trends have shown consumers using refunds to mostly pay down debt and save, on average, 10% of others look to make major purchases, “splurge,” tackle home improvement projects, or take a vacation.
(average per person expected spend)
Valentine’s Day 2022 saw $23.9B spent on gifts for partners, friends, pets and more. Top 5 gifts for Valentine’s Day are candy (56%), greeting cards (40%), flowers (37%), an evening out (31%), and jewelry (22%).
For St. Patrick’s Day 2022 celebrations, surveys found that plans included wearing green (80%), a special dinner (34%), decorating their home or office (26%), attending a party at a bar/ restaurant (19%), attending a private party (15%), attending a parade (11%), and hosting a party (10%).
In 2022, a majority of residents expected to file their taxes in February (46%) with 32% filing in March and another 21% filing in April. 59% of them expected to receive a tax refund. Here’s how consumers planned to use their tax refunds:
• Pay down debt 33%
• Savings 51%
• Everyday expenses 26%
• Major purchase 8%
• Home improvement 11%
• “Splurge” purchase 8%
• Vacation 11%
• Other 3%
March 30 – Renew bottled water dispensing machine license at MDARD (Current licenses expire April 30).
April 15 – Renew and print liquor licenses online at MLCC (Current licenses expire April 30).
Monthly reminders:
- Sales & Use Tax – Monthly & EFT – On or before the 20th day of the following month.
- Withholding Tax – Monthly & EFT – On or before the 20th day of the following month.
- Retailer’s Prepaid Wireless 911 Surcharge – Within 30 days of the close of each month. Receipt of a complete Form 5012 is required regardless of payment method.
Quarterly reminders:
- Corporate Income Tax (CIT) Estimated Returns and Payments (Jan. 15, April 15, July 15, Oct. 15).
- Sales & Use Tax – Quarterly & EFT – On or before the 20th day of the month following the quarter (Jan. 20, April 20, July 20, Oct. 20).
- Withholding Tax – Quarterly – On or before the 20th day of the month following the quarter (Jan. 20, April 20, July 20, Oct. 20).
New! Treasury Talk and Your Small Business is a podcast for small business owners hosted by Michigan’s State Treasurer, Rachael Eubanks. Trending topics with Subject Matter Experts will include cybersecurity, tax prep, continuous improvement, economic impacts and inclusion and diversity. Listen for takeaways that will support you and your company here:
With holiday decorations no longer brightening your store, it can feel like there is less sparkle.
With spring not yet here, and the Michigan cloudy skies lingering, how can you spruce up your space to drive sales?
1. Change up your layout.
With winter decor disappearing from your shelves or floor display, the opportunity to change up your shelving or layout is here. Even small changes can help a customer find a new product, re-organizing small sections each week can make the process easier. Consider painting some furniture, or adding color in areas to attract attention to key products. Freshening up store fixtures, lighting and general arrangement can make your store feel totally new.
Tip: Use an online room planner to determine your layout before you start moving furniture. Smartdraw.com offers ideas for boutique, book, hardware, and grocery stores.
2. Spring cleaning and painting
When was the last time you cleaned behind or under your shelving units? How long has it been since you saw the bottom of your desk? Do you have a spot on your wall that customers bump over and over leaving a scratched spot? Does your front door open into a wall that has taken a beating? Then it’s time to do a little touch-up.
Tip: Thoroughly clean the area you plan to paint before hitting it with fresh paint. Dirt or oil on the surface will leave you with a blotchy paint job.
3. Update your website.
Your web presence is a key part of your business. Whether it is a traditional .com or social media profiles, take a few minutes to clean up the visuals, make sure the stock list is accurate, and make sure you have your hours up-to-date.
Tip: Suggest other items that match a product a customer is looking at to increase sales.
4. Consider your product lines.
What does data say sold the best over the last year? How can you increase the volume of this product on your shelves and pair it with less-popular items to help those move?
Tip: Creating an “experience” for customers is a proven technique to increase sales. Setting up your display to connect a group of products together will help your customers envision everything as a match-set in their home, office, or other location.
5. Are you making the most out of your MRA membership?
By aggregating the purchasing power of our members and their businesses, MRA is able to negotiate better prices and rates on a wide range of business services – everything from “no hidden fees” expert credit card processing to Retailers Insurance Company workers’ compensation and dental insurances, to discounts on inbound and outbound shipping. Have a law or business-related question? Email askusfirst@retailers.com
Tip: Not sure if you are taking full advantage? Talk to us: mra@retailers.com.
Originally joining Michigan Retailers Association as the “Michigan Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association Division” in 1968, the division was renamed the Michigan Tire and Vehicle Services Association Division in 1986. The division is active with national tire and vehicle repair groups like the Auto Care Association.
As a small business owner, it’s important to stay on top of payment industry regulations and trends to ensure smooth transactions and protect yourself from fraud. Here are some key tips for MRA members to keep in mind:
• Review the 2022 Payment Card Transaction form 1099-K for accuracy, and contact customer service if any changes need to be made.
• If a customer’s credit card doesn’t process, ask for another form of payment to avoid delays.
• Be sure to call customer service if you receive any error messages while processing a credit card transaction to avoid duplicate processing. 800.563.5981, option #2.
Scan here to get to know our other divisions:
• Keep in mind that pin-based debit transactions cannot be voided or reversed, so you’ll need to process a credit card refund instead.
In addition to these general tips, it’s important to take steps to protect your business from fraud. With an industrywide rise in fraudulent online card testing activity, we highly recommend enabling fraud controls and CAPTCHA on your online payment system to help prevent this type of activity.
Finally, don’t forget about data security compliance. As a small business owner, you are required to complete an annual PCI Self-Assessment Questionnaire to verify that your business is PCI compliant.
You will receive a reminder email from TSYS or Sysnet Global Solutions, or you can visit http://pcicez.gpndi.com/ safemaker/login/portal to begin the questionnaire.
If you have any questions or need help with any of these tips, please don’t hesitate to contact our team of payment professionals at 800.563.5981, option 2. We’re here to help!
KEEP EVERYONE HEALTHY THIS SEASON WITH OUR CONTACTLESS PAYMENT
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For the first time, the Gaylord Gift Show and the Northern Michigan Gift Show will not only be in the same city but on the same days.
Organizers are happy about the overlap, which will make it easier for retailers to plan for the coming season. The shows, which run April 3-5, are timed so stores can receive orders in time for Memorial Day, the unofficial start of the Northern Michigan summer tourist season.
“Our attendees will see many Michiganmade products, resort apparel, specialty goods, toys, jewelry, accessories, gifts, garden, home décor and more,” said Dennis Connors, whose company is contracted to coordinate the Gaylord Gift Show.
His father, Mike Connors, started the Gift, Gourmet & Souvenir Show in 1980 at the then brand-new Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City. After a 17-year run there, the show moved to the Howe Arena in Traverse City for 11 years. From there, it settled into the North Central Michigan College in Petoskey for the next decade, followed by a few years at Ellison Place in Gaylord. This year, the show will be at the Treetops Resort and Spa Convention Center.
“The pandemic has proved to us that retailers still need to touch and feel firsthand the products that they want to stock their stores with,” said Connors, who will be hosting cocktail parties for buyers to mingle on Sunday and Monday from 4-6 p.m.
The Northern Michigan Gift Show will be held seven miles away at Ellison Place. Items will include souvenirs, resort apparel, specialty food, packaging and labeling, jewelry, postcards, books, stickers, puzzles and more, many of them handcrafted and made in Michigan. This event is open only to registered qualified buyers, who will need a valid sales tax license to register.
This show was started in 1953 by a small group of traveling manufacturers reps who used to call on Northern Michigan and found it hard to get to all the businesses spread out over the Upper Peninsula and northern tip of the Lower Peninsula.
“They recognized the huge tourism potential of the area and wanted to support it with a trade event of its own,” said Jim Liska, whose firm, Expo Promotions, is contracted by the nonprofit group that owns Northern Michigan Gift Show to run the annual event.
The show was first held at the Park Place Hotel in Traverse City from 1953 to 1963, and then at Boyne Mountain Resort in Boyne Falls for the next two years. In 1966, the show moved to the newly built Boyne Highlands in Harbor Springs, where it settled for 56 years. The show relocated to Gaylord in 2022 because Boyne Highlands is rebuilding its Main Lodge hotel, and will likely stay in
Gaylord for at least three years.
Many of the exhibitors and the store owners are the second generation to attend the shows.
“The show tends to take on an ‘old home week’ family atmosphere,” Liska said. “Most of those in the building know each other and are very well acquainted, having done business together for so long.”
All of us at MRA look forward to serving you!
Care Transport Inc., Ann Arbor
Sanchez Properties LLC dba
Cauffee Cafe, Au Gres
Harvey Charles Beatty Jr. Estate, Augusta
Smith Distributing Company, Bad Axe
Battle Creek Memorial Park
Association, Battle Creek
Galex Inc., Battle Creek
Lafayette Auto Parts, Battle Creek
Family Unit Market, Battle Creek
Duso’s Tavern Inc., Bay City
DKMM LLC dba Planted
Provisioning, Bay City
Schmidt Industries, Bay City
Very Best Steel LLC dba Van
Buren Steel, Belleville
The Grilling Company, Belmont
Wexford-Missaukee Career
Tech Ctr, Cadillac
LA Medical Transportation LLC, Canton
Bell-Wasik Buick GMC, Caro
Jepson Electric Inc., Coldwater
Mason County Bee Supplies, Custer
Netco Asset Holdings LLC, Dearborn
Hashems of Dearborn Heights, Dearborn Heights
My First Schoolhouse Inc., Dearborn Heights
Michigan Tile & Marble dba
Cement Fiber, Detroit
Universal Contracting Services LLC, Detroit
DSE Martinez LLC, East Grand Rapids
Bay Animal Hospital PLLC, Essexville
Elite Parking Solutions Inc., Farmington Hills
Complete Building Support Services LLC, Flint
Winchester on Wealthy LLC,
Grand Rapids
Donkey LLC, Grand Rapids
Sporety LLC, Grand Rapids
M5 Sign, Grand Rapids
Hope Protestant Reformed
Christian School, Grand Rapids
Korner & Assoc dba Korner Security, Grosse Pointe
Superior Extrusion Inc., Gwinn
Health & Wellness Massage
Therapy LLC, Hartland
Monterey Party Store Inc., Highland Park
Ottawa County Fair, Holland
Impact Compliance & Testing, Holt
Flowers by Sleeman, Houghton
Quality Care of Howell LLC, Howell
Ionia Dental PLLC, Ionia
Performance Plus Auto & Fabrication LLC, Kalamazoo
Leelanau Enterprise LLC, Lake Leelanau
PG Group LLC, Lansing
Metro Melik 517, Lansing
Ox-Tail-Lincoln Park dba Moses
Roses LP, Lincoln Park
Retirement Living Management LLC, Lowell
Foam Works Acquisition LLC, Ludington
JT Skilled Services LLC, Marcellus
4-Safety LLC, Marquette
Driven Electric LLC, Mason
TNT Express LLC, Midland
Concrete Saw Cutters LLC, Milan
Innon Golf Inc. dba Old Town
Sports Center, Monroe
Perfect Choice Catering LLC, Muskegon
El Burrito Loco Inc #5, Muskegon
Michigan Rural Water Association, Okemos
Clutch SSS & P LLC dba Clutch
Food Shop, Pentwater
Fine Foods Inc. dba Fates Market, Remus
Richmond Athletic Club LLC, Richmond
Kruk Cards Inc., Rochester
Blossom Collections LLC, Rochester
Spirit of the Child LLC, Rochester Hills
Art-Y-Facts, Roscommon
Hodges Heating & Cooling LLC, Saginaw
Maynard & Son’s Powerwashing, Saint Clair
Pointe Lamp & Lighting Inc., Saint Clair Shores
Golden Chopsticks Wangs Inc., Saint Clair Shores
Transcare Detroit Inc., Southfield
Ramiraj Inc. dba Comfort Suites
Southgate, Southgate
Bizgjoni Construction LLC, Sterling Heights
Village of Suttons Bay, Suttons Bay
JBJ Subs LLC, Traverse City
Stromberg-Carlson Products Inc., Traverse City
Fort & West Fuels LLC, Trenton
Cloud Management Company LLC, Troy
Buds & Blossoms, Ubly
Maple Farm LLC, West Bloomfield
Patriot Pizza, Whitmore Lake
Circle M Meat LLC, Wolverine
Holland Trailer, Zeeland
Van Hill Furniture & Mattress Inc., Zeeland
offers:
offers:
Experienced benefits advisors
Experienced benefits advisors
For 65 years, Aflac has paid employees* directly** to help with unexpected out-of-pocket costs — like medical bills, copayments, deductibles and prescriptions. When unexpected health care costs like these come your employees’ way, Aflac is here to help.
For 65 years, Aflac has paid employees* directly** to help with unexpected out-of-pocket costs — like medical bills, copayments, deductibles and prescriptions. When unexpected health care costs like these come your employees’ way, Aflac is here to help.
Superior enrollment technology
Superior enrollment technology
Running a business takes time and effort. Let Aflac help ease the load with smart, time-saving benefits strategies and solutions. Our benefits solutions offer a simple, customizable way for you to check one more of those items off your to-do list. The result? Your employees receive the benefits options they deserve, and you have more time to focus on what you love most about your business.
Running a business takes time and effort. Let Aflac help ease the load with smart, time-saving benefits strategies and solutions. Our benefits solutions offer a simple, customizable way for you to check one more of those items off your to-do list. The result? Your employees receive the benefits options they deserve, and you have more time to focus on what you love most about your business.
Robust benefits portfolio Robust benefits portfolio
