EDITOR NOTE: The Daily Press will be featuring a series of articles on local businesses, highlighting their history and what makes them unique. The series will run on a regular basis in the Daily Press.

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By R. R. Branstrom

rbranstrom@dailypress.net

MANISTIQUE — A historic home on Arbutus Avenue just passed its one-year anniversary in the hands of its current owner, who purchased the place in February of 2024 and has been operating it as The Blue Mystique Inn, a boutique bed and breakfast.

The goal of proprietor Elizabeth Douglas is to provide a comfortable environment – a nice place to stay with good food – and treat guests of the inn’s five rentable rooms to a friendly reception.

“I like people, and I like being treated well, and I like to treat people well,” Douglas said. “Why can’t we bring back that really good kindness and customer service?”

The Blue Mystique Inn isn’t for people who want a hotel or short-term rental they can check into without encountering a human being. Socializing is part of the experience at the inn on Arbutus Avenue; a meet-and-greet is organized each evening, and homemade breakfast is served to all in the formal dining room.

“Sometimes I’ll just stand back and listen to the conversation in the morning, and I think it’s so cool,” Douglas said. “You got 10 strangers that just met each other yesterday, and they all are having this great conversation.”

The 1905 six-bedroom Colonial Revival house was originally a private residence, and has been off and on through the years. At one point, an attorney ran an office out of a room on the ground floor. The family of Henry Neville, proprietor of a local business, lived there during at least some of the ’20s and ’30s.

The Schoolcraft County Historical Society is in the process of uncovering more of the history of the property and hopes to be able to make more information public this spring, said Lisa Busch.

In 1997, Rosemary and Gilbert Sablack converted the home into a bed and breakfast and opened its doors as The Royal Rose Bed and Breakfast, which operated for about a decade. Though the Sablacks were not the most recent owners of the building, Douglas has been in contact with Rosemary and referred to her as a “mentor.” The two maintain a positive relationship.

Prior to relocating to Manistique year-round and becoming the keeper of The Blue Mystique Inn, Douglas operated two other businesses: The Savage Mane Salon & Day Spa in Iron Mountain and Blue-Mystique, a seasonal kayak rental with locations in Manistique, Garden and Rapid River.

On February 1, 2024, Douglas purchased the building at 230 Arbutus. After a few adjustments to refresh the place – painting, mulching, driveway refinishing, decorating – she opened the bed and breakfast for business as The Blue Mystique Inn on February 14. Availability is seven days a week, year-round.

Each of the rooms have a different theme and a private bathroom. There’s the Balcony Room, the Garden Room, the Reading Room, the Royal Rose Room and the Harbor View Room.

Often, a room is rented by a couple; sometimes, a group of friends book multiple rooms. Douglas pointed out that the cozy, welcoming atmosphere and social periods also appeal to solo travellers.

“We have a meet-and-greet every day from 4:30 ’til 5:30 – light hors d’oeuvres, kind of give them a little spiel on the town, where to go, what’s open, what’s happening,” Douglas said.

The inn is situated in a prime location close to the waterfront and downtown.

Guests have the option of Chef’s Table for dinner – a four- to seven-course meal prepared by Chef Joshua Curtis and his wife, Lori, in the kitchen of the house. Douglas said that the kitchen had been remodeled by Rosemary, a retired home ec teacher, and was well-suited for cooking and preparing meals.

“I’ve had people stay here a week and they’ll do Chef’s Table five out of seven nights just because they want to have a nice dinner,” Douglas said, and noted that guests enjoy the “tasting menu” style, as it gives them the opportunity to try multiple dishes they may not usually have ordered.

Just recently, The Blue Mystique Inn obtained a food establishment license, which allows for people not staying at the inn to book seats at the Chef’s Table. Prior, it was only for guests who had booked rooms. Now, the public can make dinner reservations for Friday and Saturday nights by calling ahead.

“We’ve had people come from Escanaba and Gladstone and stay the night and do Chef’s Table,” Douglas reported. “It’s only an hour, but they get to be out of town and enjoy a little different atmosphere for a night.”

Those who do stay the night are, of course, treated to a full, plated breakfast in the morning. Douglas takes pride in serving fresh, wholesome dishes. When in season, some vegetables and herbs are grown right outside.

From near and far, guests of The Blue Mystique Inn have been impressed – with 97 Google reviews, it holds 5.0 stars.

Douglas believes people appreciate the details and comfort – even if they don’t necessarily register that she does things like iron the pillowcases, they notice the end presentation.

Whether guests stay for multiple nights or one, walk to the beach and restaurants and winery in town, spend their days elsewhere in the U.P., or stay cozied up next to the fireplace in the inn’s living room, The Blue Mystique Inn is a destination.

Information and bookings can be sought at thebluemystiqueinn.com or 906-221-5371.