The summer tourism season has ended, with many of the last seasonal businesses shut down for the rest of the calendar year. Ferry services, some outdoor recreation and many restaurants will be unavailable until 2024.

Some businesses remained open a little bit later than usual, given the warm weather during September and October. But with more marketing regarding autumn colors, the tourism season has gone later and later.

“Typically in years past, our really “busy” season ended around Labor Day. Though with the increased popularity of the fall colors and the beautiful landscape we have during this time of year, traffic has been steady over the last several years through the middle of October,” said Kathy Reynolds, CEO of the Greater Munising Bay Partnership and Alger Chamber of Commerce. “Many businesses typically stay open until mid-October, though due to employees that are students heading back to the classroom and a few other factors, some businesses close earlier.”

The Munising Farmers and Artisan Market was one of the businesses that stayed open another two weeks. According to Market Director Hilary Ludecke, the decision to keep open was from both customers and vendors, increasing product options late into the growing season.

“Our vendors are excited to have the extra days to offer their autumn products to our local customers,” she said.

But sometimes, seasonal businesses are impacted by random weather situations. At Miners Falls Mini Golf, this year faced challenges from something that typically helps bring money into the region: fall leaves. With the weather knocking down thousands of leaves onto the course earlier than usual, the water features had to be shut down over the risk of clogging the intake valve from the retention pond.

“The course plays different without the water,” said Josh Cole, who owns Miners Falls Mini Golf with his wife Jenna. “You can still play it, but it just isn’t the same. We don’t want to risk it and potentially damage things.” The Coles usually wrap up the last week of September due to days getting shorter and dwindling ice cream supplies.

They also close to give them more time to do maintenance at the end of the season. The course stays open seven days a week during the summer, so taking time to keep the course clean and safe is important.

“That’s a challenge for everyone if you stay open longer and then snow hits in October, you won’t be able to do the landscaping and wiring,” Jenna said. “Winterizing means having to pump the pond down to a lower level, taking full days to clean out and mend the greens and taking care of the building.”

Another business shifting to maintenance is Shipwreck Tours, which has pulled up all their shipwreck markers and closed their gift shop. Due to sold-out tours on their last day on Saturday, the company opened up for another tour on Sunday for people that stayed the weekend in the area.

According to Shipwreck Tours Vice President Joe Lindquist, the 2023 tourism season was normal, with numbers down slightly from the busier pandemic years, but still strong compared to the 30-year average. That is a lot of wear and tear on the boats, so spending the time on maintenance can take all winter long.

“We spend probably 2-4 weeks putting everything away and then move inside for maintenance,” he said. “Last year we went all winter on maintenance projects.”

With indoor maintenance facilities, the company could push the season longer, but Lindquist said that it isn’t a good idea for his staff. Facing burnout from working long summer hours, he said that giving staff a chance to enjoy the nice fall weather in the community is more important than a little extra money.

“I’m not a fan of staying open to the maximum for a few extra dollars. I’d rather be rested and ahead on maintenance,” Lindquist said.

While boat rides and golfing isn’t possible during the winter, some businesses like restaurants could be feasible if the local economy is able to support it. Tacopotamus, the local Cali-Mexican option, is going to try and keep open through the colder months. A limited schedule is expected, but it keeps many of their staff on payroll for the whole year instead of those workers experiencing seasonal layoffs. Tracey’s has also shifted towards its Japanese winter menu as well, finding a more cost-affordable menu that still meets the quality standard of the restaurant.

Reynolds said that the longer the businesses are open, the better it is for the local economy.