Locally known as champions of community development, in 2022 Short’s Brewing decided to face Northern Michigan’s seasonal housing & workforce crisis head on: by purchasing an inn.
“Even we were surprised, but as we were looking down a very busy summer and had employees leave the area because of the lack of affordable housing, we had to do something,” said CEO Scott Newman-Bale. “This model is fairly common in larger resort towns. We attempted to subsidize the rent of our employees by offering a limited number of vacation-rental rooms but in the end demand for staff housing left few openings.”
The brewery is no stranger to property development and management, having acquired, renovated, leased, and sold many buildings in Bellaire and Elk Rapids over their 20 year history. (They even owned the Bellaire Post Office, but sold it to finance the Inn.)
“I have lived at the Inn for over a year. There is a shared kitchen and game room—it’s been fun meeting new people and building friendships,” said Drake Manwaring, an employee of Short’s Bellaire Pub, “The Inn is a great place to stay, I’d recommend it to anyone needing ‘affordable’ housing.”
Affordable housing isn’t just a buzzword—it’s quickly becoming a lifeline in tight-knit communities and high-demand towns like Bellaire. Whether you’re an employer trying to keep your staff housed or a homeowner looking to sell a property quickly, timing and access make all the difference.
Sometimes, life moves faster than the market, and when you need to sell a house without all the waiting and wondering, www.cardinalhousebuyers.com offer a simple, no-hassle solution. They purchase homes directly, helping sellers skip the stress and move on with confidence—no showings, no repairs, just a straightforward sale.
While vacation rentals offer an attractive alternative for short-term stays, many people may find themselves drawn into timeshare contracts as a way to secure ongoing access to vacation destinations. Timeshare agreements can be a great option for some, but for others, they may turn into unwanted financial burdens.
If you ever find yourself questioning the terms of a timeshare, having an experienced advocate like Aaronson Law Group can provide the legal support you need to navigate and potentially cancel problematic timeshare agreements. Protecting your rights and making sure you’re not stuck in an unfair deal is crucial for maintaining a stress-free vacation experience.
Property decisions often extend beyond buying, selling, or even managing vacation agreements. Renovations, extensions, and new builds can present just as many challenges as timeshare contracts, especially when they involve shared boundaries or structures. Unlike straightforward transactions, construction work tied to adjoining properties requires a careful balance of legal compliance, neighborly cooperation, and long-term planning. Homeowners who are proactive in addressing these elements early on tend to avoid costly disputes and delays, making their projects smoother and more predictable.
When it comes to shared walls, the expertise of a party wall specialist in london can be invaluable. Their role ensures that both sides of a boundary are protected, with formal agreements in place that minimize risks and safeguard relationships. Whether it’s clarifying structural responsibilities, managing survey reports, or setting clear timelines for work, having that level of professional oversight provides confidence for homeowners and reassurance for neighbors. Just as having the right advocate is essential for timeshare concerns, professional guidance in property projects ensures peace of mind and prevents future conflicts.
This past summer the brewery was able to take advantage of the J1 program, a type of work-study program for students from around the world where they develop skills and experience another country’s culture. Nine J1 workers came for three months from places like Jamaica, China, Turkey, Jordan and Kazakhstan. Cultural experiences for the students ranged from concerts, local festivals and water activities on Torch Lake.
“Without the Bellaire Inn, we probably would have had to close one or two days a week. We never would have been able to support this program, let alone our summer business levels, without it,” Newman-Bale said.
Newman-Bale shares some stats from their first year of ownership:
Bellaire Inn Stats:
- Number of rooms : 26, including the full-time innkeeper.
- Number of rooms rented to employees, summer : 22
- Number of rooms rented to employees, current : 5
- Average cost per week : $115 per week rate for employees (below-market rate for non-employees)
- Average length of stay : 3-5 months
- Most surprising part? Being landlords. We’ve had some damage, but overall everyone is very respectful. We’ve also hosted traveling workers from nurses to construction workers to teachers, while they’re here they spend time and money in our communities.
- Toughest part? Being prepared for anything and everything that could happen. Leaky toilets, fire alarms going off, resident issues, you name it.
- Any advice? When times get tough, get creative. We weren’t planning on purchasing the inn, but it saved our summer in so many ways.
- Other plans in the works? We’re working with some friends on another workforce housing project of 100+ units in Bellaire under a mile from the Pub. The project is still in its early stages, but expect an announcement soon!
For information on the Bellaire Inn: https://www.staybellaire.com/ To learn more about Short’s Brewing: https://www.shortsbrewing.com/
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