The Schwalbach Building, located in downtown Munising, has a rich history dating back to 1896, when it was originally constructed by the Bjornstad family. It first served as a general store, reflecting the bustling commerce of the era. Ownership eventually passed to Charlie and Dorothy Vartti before being sold to its current owners, Judi and Steve Schwalbach, in 1978. “We bought it from the Varttis, and it’s been part of our lives ever since,” Judi recalls.
Over the years, the building has seen numerous transformations. In the late 1970s, the Schwalbachs operated The Kitchen Place, a store that specialized in designing and selling kitchen cabinets. Later, the building housed a variety of businesses, including a gift shop called The Hen House, Mitchy’s Movies, and a shop known as The Dragon’s Nest. Despite these changes, the building’s historical character has remained intact, with its original floors being recently restored.
One key figure tied to the building’s legacy is Don Corp, a local barber who started Don’s Barbershop in the back of the Schwalbach Building in 1978 and worked there until 2020. Judi fondly recalls the promise they made to Don: “We promised him we wouldn’t sell the building until he retired. He was like a father to me, and his barbershop was a fixture in the community for decades.” As it turned out, Don never truly retired, cutting hair well into his mid-80s. “And who would know that he’d keep cutting hair until he was 88 years old?” Judi reflected. “We waited, but by the time he finally stopped, vacation rentals had started up, and we were making money on the building.” It was Don’s long career that shaped their decision to hold onto the property. He passed away just five months after retiring, leaving behind a legacy that remains a cherished part of the Schwalbach Building’s history.
The building has now entered a new phase of its life with the arrival of new tenants. These locally focused businesses, offering everything from gifts to health and wellness services, are helping to revitalize the space and bring a fresh vibrancy to downtown Munising. With plans to remain open year-round, they aim to serve the local community while contributing to the area’s growth and vitality.
New Gift Shop, ‘A Bit of Everything,’ Brings Locals-Centered Shopping to Munising In the heart of downtown Munising, A Bit of Everything is offering locals a fresh shopping experience. Located at 223 E Superior Street, owner Cindy Tonack is bringing a unique selection of gifts, apparel, and specialty items to the area. The store aims to fill a gap left by the closures of Ben Franklin, People Store, and Pamida.
“I wanted to help locals discover a general gift shop designed with them in mind at a reasonable price,” said Tonack, who has spent years working vendor and craft shows before opening her shop. “My daughter actually came up with the name since I have a variety of products, and it was the perfect fit.”
The shop offers a range of products, including apparel, activewear, bath and body items, candle warmers, jewelry, and more. Tonack has focused her inventory on the needs of locals, offering the opportunity for special orders on items such as name-brand jeans and hard-to-find bra sizes.
As a breast cancer survivor, Tonack is particularly proud of her bra fitting service, which she started with a personal mission to help other women who have faced similar battles. “I have wanted to help these brave women feel comfortable in their own skin again,” she explained. “So my bra fitting service and large inventory is definitely something I am proud to offer. The Upper Peninsula is very limited in helping women find the right fit, and I offer all women a free fitting and confidence boost, helping them regain comfort and confidence.”
Munising resident Erin Hancock, a regular customer, highlighted what makes A Bit of Everything stand out. “What draws me to the store is that there really is something for everyone. Cindy has a great knack for knowing what the community needs,” Hancock said. “It’s different from other local gift shops— it’s truly for locals. You can find basic wardrobe pieces like shirts, jeans, and layering items in sizes XS through 3X, as well as gifts for birthdays or special occasions.”
Hancock also noted the shop’s contribution to the community. “It’s a great thing for locals. Cindy has solid core pieces for a wardrobe, handmade gifts, bra fittings, wax warmers, food items, and more. It gives you the option to shop locally for core wardrobe pieces, gifts, and treats,” she added.
Tonack, who also manages the H&R Block office in Munising, has taken on the challenge of running her own business while balancing other responsibilities. “Many of my tax customers are flexible with me, and I know I can do both,” she said. Her future plans for the shop include hosting mini after-hour events and continuing to build relationships with local customers.
New Location, Same Services for Longtime Munising Health & Wellness Trio Just next door to A Bit of Everything, three Munising wellness providers have relocated to a new shared space at 225 E Superior Street. Massage & Bodywork by Jody, Nails by Kristin, and Beautiful You Esthetics by Nikki are all welcoming clients to the new location, continuing to offer a wide range of beauty and wellness services.
“We wanted to create a onestop experience for clients, and it just made sense to come back together,” said Jody Irving, owner of Massage & Bodywork by Jody. Irving, who offers therapeutic massages, deep tissue massage, cupping, and hot stone treatments, has been serving the Munising area for five years. The new location features a Himalayan salt infrared sauna, which provides additional wellness benefits for clients. “A lot of times, people will do a short sauna session and then come right across the hall for a massage,” she explained.
For those looking for nail services, Kristin Tonack Edgette of Nails by Kristin continues to offer manicures, pedicures, Gel X nails, and more. After a threeyear break to focus on her family, she’s excited to be back in business. “It’s just nice to be back, in a location together again,” said Edgette. “I was booked before I even opened my doors.”
Beautiful You Esthetics by Nikki completes the trio. Nicole Hase, Jody’s daughter, specializes in waxing, facials, and eyelash extensions. “I love pampering people and helping them feel pretty,” Hase shared. Like her colleagues, she books clients through her Facebook page and keeps a flexible schedule to meet the needs of her clientele.
Clients of the wellness experts can easily book their services through the businesses’ respective Facebook pages, and the new location has been warmly embraced by both customers and the downtown community. “Everybody loves it,” said Hase. “We were kind of tucked away before, but now we’re right out in front.”
Katherine A. Reynolds, Ph.D., CEO of the Greater Munising Bay Partnership and Executive Director of the Munising Downtown Development Authority, echoed that sentiment, praising the impact these businesses are having. “We are very happy to see the new businesses in these locations. They are providing desired services and products to the community and are utilizing walkable and convenient spaces in our downtown. Congratulations to all of those businesses and thanks for the hard work and effort put forth in making these happen,” she said.
The combination of beauty, wellness, and convenient access to these services in downtown Munising reflects the vision of the Munising Downtown Development Authority. With the addition of the infrared sauna and a variety of personalized services, Jody, Kristin, and Nikki’s businesses are poised to continue thriving in their new location.
