Glen Arbor Sun
Peninsula Provisions, located at 25 S Lake Leelanau Dr. in the old Samaritan’s Closet building, is thrilled to announce their projected opening in June 2023. Owner and proprietor Kate Vilter Stassen, formerly of The Riverside Inn in Leland, and husband Coenraad Stassen, Brys Estate director of Winemaking and Estate manager have always been passionate about wine and food. It was Kate, however, who knew even before the sale of the Riverside in 2021 that owning and operating a wine and provisions shop was the next step in her career.
Vilter Stassen worked closely with Barbara Balongue of Balongue Design since the first renovation of The Riverside Inn in 2016, so when the former Samaritan’s Closet building became available, Kate knew she would enlist the help of Balongue once again to bring her vision of a specialty wine shop to life. Balongue, along with builder Jim Schaub, electrician Kevin Buhr and Lacross Landscaping comprise the renovation team that will transform the current property to the wine shop and specialty food market Kate has dreamed of.
“What we are not is a grocery store that also sells wine. Our passion and focus is on exceptional wines with offerings from around the world with price tags anywhere from $9 to $499 a bottle,” said Vilter Stassen. “We plan to feature small, independent labels that produce wines sustainably whenever possible as well as a deliberate rotation of local wines that exemplify the unique terroir of our region. The same focus and attention will be placed on our boutique selection of beers and ciders.”
“On the food side of things, we are planning to feature a diverse selection of cheeses, cured meats, terrines, grab-and-go appetizers and dips and complimentary accouterments. We will be offering appetizer trays for 4-100. Take them out on your boat, on your picnic, or let us help you host your summer cocktail party.”
In addition to year-round shopping hours, Peninsula Provisions plans to offer boat dock and special event beer, wine and food delivery as well as a unique and robust wine club membership.
“The new building will have space for special events such as wine tastings and pairing events and we’re looking forward to putting the space to good use throughout the year.” says co-owner Coenraad Stassen.
Peninsula Provisions hours will be 10 am-7 pm in the summer months and 11 am-6 pm in the shoulder and winter months. “We hope that by staying open year round, we will attract and retain talented and passionate employees to serve a region of equally passionate food and wine loving clientele,” says Vilter Stassen.
To follow along on the progress of Peninsula Provisions please visit the website at peninsulaprovisonsmi.com.