Join the Made In Michigan group on Facebook

Special thanks to Bella for giving Gift Baskets From Michigan a nice mention in her article on How to Buy Michigan Products. When I read her article I saw that she also mentioned a Made In Michigan group on Facebook. So, if you're on Facebook be sure to join and show your support for Michigan products and businesses. Made In Michigan Facebook Group

Celebrate National Pie Day with a Grand Traverse Pie Company Pie

Today, January 23rd, is National Pie Day. As my grandfather was fond of saying, "I like to spell cake p-i-e." I couldn't agree more. Plus, you can't go wrong with one of the numerous tasty pies from the Grand Traverse Pie Company. They're handing out a free slice of pie with each purchase of a slice of pie today only in celebration of National Pie Day. If you order online you can get $5 off your order today using a coupon code provided at the Grand Traverse Pie Company website, www.gtpie.com.

When we lived in Lansing we were always enjoying one of there super delicious pies. Too bad they haven't expanded into southwest Michigan. They used to sell them at Meijer, but I'm not sure if they still do - it's been a while.

Thanks to the heads up on National Pie Day from CharlieCurve and Rumblstrip via Twitter.

Take in a show at the Riviera Theatre in Three Rivers

When I was a kid the Riviera Theatre was one of the only places around to see first-run movies. This was before the multiplexes popped up in all of the larger towns. Even though the Riviera was already past its prime you still see glimpses of the grandeur that it once had. The seats were uncomfortable and felt like they could have been the originals from when it was opened in 1925. The carpeting was worn and sticky from decades of spilled soda and candy. All of the ornate and intricate details that were put into the theatre in 1925 had either been covered up or painted over with black paint.

A new multiplex opened up on the north side of Three Rivers and the Riviera quietly passed into a faded memory in the scrapbooks of locals' minds. It lay dormant for five years before Bruce Monroe (who practically grew up in the Riviera) purchased it in 2005. Three years and about $1 million later Three Rivers if home to a true gem in the Riviera Theatre.

I love westerns, especially John Wayne movies, and when I saw that "The Searchers" was playing at the Riviera this past Sunday I convinced my wife to go so we could see the movie and as a bonus - check out the renovations.

I was blown away by how beautiful the Riviera is now. I can appreciate it because I know what it looked like back before it closed and this is a night and day difference. Gone is the black paint and nasty old shag carpeting. A wonderful mix of gold, shades of red, and other lighter tones now add class to a wonderful old theater.

Do yourself a favor and take in a movie or one of the other shows/concerts that the Riviera is now home to. This Sunday, January 25, is the last Sunday that westerns are featured and they are showing "Unforgiven", starring Clint Eastwood.

You can keep up to date on all of the upcoming concerts and movies via the Riviera Theatre website, trriviera.com.

Biggby CEO Bob Fish in current issue of Entrepreneur magazine

It's great to see good news coming out of Michigan and the article on Biggby CEO Bob Fish is no exception. Bob was interviewed this past fall for the article that appears in the February 2009 issue of Entrepreneur. Bob Fish is a CEO who 2 years ago gave up his office and uses the individual Biggby locations as an "office." It lets him see (without reading complex marketing and other analytical reports) how the stores are running, get instant customer feedback, and personally check in on the franchise operators.

I've never had a bad experience at a Biggby location. The baristas are always super friendly and when they make my son a caramel milk they make a big deal out of it just as if he was an adult customer - he eats that right up. My current favorite is the Moon Boot Latte. It's a delicious blend of white chocolate and mint with a handful of those mints that melt in your mouth tossed on top. SO good!

The other thing that I really like about Bob Fish is that you can interact with him personally through his blog, Twitter, and Facebook. The auto industry and many other industries could take some pointers from him about how to run a large corporation.

Here's where you can interact with Bob:

Where is Bob? Follow Bob on Twitter The Biggby Lounge on Facebook Biggby Bob YouTube Channel Biggby on Flickr

Coffee and nuts from Michigan

This was supposed to have been posted last night around 9 pm, but my internet connection chose that time to conk out. I cut my losses and went back to work in the woodshop until 10pm. Got up at 5 am to get back at it and just now (it's 6:30 am) remembered that I didn't get this posted. For some of the best coffee roasted right here in Michigan you have got to check out Leelanau Coffee. They don't ship it unless it was roasted 36 hours ago or less. My favorite blend this time of the year is their Christmas Eggnog. Oh man, is it good. My favorite anytime of the year is Manitou Blueberry - when it's brewing it smells like you're baking blueberry muffins. So good.

For one of the largest assortments of nuts from around the world as well as excellent chocolates you need to check out White Pigeon's own claim to fame - The Tasty Nut Shop. It's been in business on U.S. 12 since the 1920s. They don't have a website, but you can call them and they'll ship your order just about anywhere. The number is (269) 483-7566.

Show your Yooper pride with a Yooper Steez t-shirt

Kicking off my daily (one new product or business each day this week M-F) focus on one Michigan product or business that has great gifts for those on your Christmas list this year is Yooper Steez. What is Steez? Well, it's simply "Style With Ease." What do they have at Yooper Steez?

Simply totally cool t-shirts with a silhouette of either Michigan's fantastic Upper Peninsula or Lake Superior. They also have stickers with 906 printed on them. 906? It just so happens that the Upper Peninsula has it's very own area code, 906.

I would post a photo of my Yooper Steez t-shirt, but a friend has it and is holding it for ransom. Might be quicker to just buy another one.

The shirt is a great conversation starter as people are constantly asking me if I am from the U.P. Others just stare in awe at the totally awesome shirt I'm sporting.

Anyway, these items would make great gifts for past, present, and future Michigan residents.

Shop at Yooper Steez today & tell them Andrew sent you ;)