Exciting Giveaway - 2 Nights in Traverse City and a $200 Restaurant Gift Card!

Before I get into the details of the giveaway, I want to introduce you to a good friend of mine Jeff Lobdell. I’ve known Jeff for the last 8 years. We both have kids at the same elementary school and have built a friendship at volunteer events and through our shared love of sports. The last 4 years we have coached youth lacrosse and football together. One thing I love about coaching with Jeff is that he gets the absolute best out of kids, but he does it by focusing on effort and encouragement, which is exactly what we need in youth sports.

Jeff is also a passionate advocate for the hospitality industry in Michigan. He currently owns and operates Sugar Beach and Grand Beach Resort Hotels, which are located on the water in Traverse City. In addition to the hotels, Jeff owns and operates Apache Trout Grill, West End Tavern, Boones Prime Time Pub (Suttons Bay), Flap Jack Shack, and the Omelette Shoppe locations in Traverse City, as well as 14 other restaurants in the Grand Rapids area. Many of these restaurants you have probably heard of or visited, and at this point many are considered Michigan institutions. I know The Beltline Bar has been open since 1953 and has served over 5,000,000 wet burritos!

Jeff has contributed to the growth of the business, but in any conversation, he is always quick to give credit to his restaurant operating partner Scott Parkhurst and his hotel director Heather Gates. Together their management team employs over 900 people in Traverse City and Grand Rapids that are instrumental to the success of the company.

Jeff has also served as the Chairman of the Michigan Restaurant Association and is currently the Vice Chair of the National Restaurant Association. Despite all of the commitments to his restaurants and his work at the state and national level Jeff is always busy working in his community. Jeff’s restaurants host and contribute to more than 100 fundraisers every year and he enthusiastically supports local schools financially and through his volunteer efforts. Jeff has coached youth sports for over 15 years and has coached hundreds of kids in hockey, football, soccer, and lacrosse.

What Does This All Mean?

All of the restaurants and hotels that Jeff owns and operates are unique individual Michigan business brands that were built from the ground up. Some were built by Jeff and his family and others were purchased when the original owners were looking to retire but wanted their businesses to continue to serve customers and employees. Each property has its own distinct history and legacy.

We all have a choice when it comes to where we stay and where we eat. I like restaurant and hotel chains for their consistency and convenience, but when I talk about the properties that I love they are all locally owned and operated. These properties all have character and unique qualities that can’t be found anywhere else.

The whole point of this article and giveaway is to highlight the local ownership behind this collection of restaurants and hotels. These properties are exceptional for the food and accommodation they provide. They’re also exceptional because the local ownership and employees continually give back and contribute to our communities in meaningful ways. We have a choice when we spend our money and I encourage you to support locally owned Michigan businesses whenever you can.

The Hotel Giveaway Details

This promotional giveaway is going to include a two-night stay at either Sugar Beach or Grand Beach Resort this fall. These two properties are located along beautiful East Bay in Traverse City and are close to downtown Traverse City, Sleeping Bear Dunes (28 miles), and local wineries and breweries.

These resorts feature the following:

• 300’ of Beach Frontage

• Private Balconies

• Heated Indoor Swimming Pool & Hot Tub

• On-Site Boat and Jet Ski Rentals

• In-Room Refrigerator & Microwave

• In-Room Coffee

• Complementary Wifi

The Restaurant Giveaway Details

In addition to the two-night stay you’ll also receive a $200 gift card to use at any of the following restaurants - Apache Trout Grill, Boones Prime Time Pub (Suttons Bay), Flap Jack Shack, Omelette Shoppe, and West End Tavern.

Apache Trout Gill

One of the best restaurant locations in Michigan, which is located on the water with stunning views of Grand Traverse Bay. The menu features hand-cut steaks, specialty salads, fresh seafood, and signature cocktails. If you haven’t experienced a meal or a happy hour at Apache Trout you’re missing out!

Boones Prime Time Pub - Suttons Bay

This is a longtime favorite eatery for locals and tourists in Suttons Bay. Known for its hand-cut steaks, Carlson’s whitefish from Leland, handmade burgers, and a massive Bloody Mary.

The Original Flap Jack Shack

Known as a family friendly, breakfast, lunch, and brunch spot in Traverse City. The menu features made-from-scratch flapjacks, oven-baked pancakes, classic egg scrambles and skillets, wraps, and burgers.

The Omelette Shoppe - 2 Locations

A Northern Michigan institution for breakfast and lunch since 1975. Extensive menu that features homemade breads and rolls from and an assortment of breakfast and lunch dishes

West End Tavern

This restaurant features an amazing view of Grand Traverse Bay and the Center Point Marina. The patio at West End Tavern is one of the best places to have a meal or drink in Northern Michigan. This restaurant features quality steaks, artisan pizzas, fresh seafood, and gourmet burgers.

How To Enter - Paid Subscribers Only

Please comment below with your email address if you’re interested in being entered in the drawing for a two-night hotel stay and a $200 restaurant gift card. The two-night package is based on availability and is for reservations Sunday night through Thursday night in September and October of this year and is not valid over Labor Day weekend. Friday and Saturday nights can be added on either end of the stay at market rates.

Thanks for being a paid subscriber to Great Lakes Travel Deals and good luck in the drawing!