FOR THE LOVE OF BOOKS

THE COMMUNITYDRIVEN HEART OF PETOSKEY’S INDIE BOOKSTORE

By Emily Haines Lloyd Photos by Stephanie N. Baker

M

cLean & Eakin is the epitome of what it means to be an independent bookstore, with its bespoke selections, heartfelt customer service, and lovinglycurated reading recommendations. However, owners Matt and Jessilynn Norcross will be the fi rst to tell you that being “independent” isn’t about going it alone.

The store began in the care of Matt’s mother, Julie Norcross, who started the bookstore in 1992 and named it after her two grandmothers’ maiden names. The store had been a dream for Julie since she was young. Her father owned and operated a men’s fashion store in Florida and eventually followed customers north and opened another store just a few doors down from where McLean & Eakin stands today.

“Mom would take us on walks around town,” recalls Matt. “We’d peek into windows of abandoned storefronts, and you could see her waiting for just the right space to open up so she could open her bookstore.”

Matt worked at the family bookshop through high school and eventually returned to Petoskey in 2003 while in between jobs and started back at the family store. He found a place to refl ect, as well, stumbling across his future wife, Jessilynn, who also was working in the shop.

“We both love reading,” said Jessilynn. “But when you begin running a business, you realize there’s so much more to bookselling than the magic inside of the pages.”

The Norcrosses quickly immersed themselves in the responsibilities that come with owning a quaint bookshop.

“There are a million decisions we’ve made. Some good, some bad,” admits Matt. “But what we have always nailed is having a team of booksellers working here who are amazing, brilliant, and committed. This is what has kept us successful, for sure.”

Even with COVID-19 and the competition of big-box bookstores and online outlets offering steep discounts, McLean & Eakin has managed to not only stay in business, but thrive. It has expanded to offer digital audiobooks and e-books and established an online store to accommodate those who are unable to get out to the store or some of their committed patrons who may not be in the area year-round.

“We’re involved in our community,” said Jessilynn. “Amazon is never going to be at the school board meeting next to us. You can’t replicate the conversations we have with people in the community or on the shop fl oor.”

Books truly are magic, and never more so than when one person hands another a book after talking with them and saying, “I really think you’ll love this.” Ultimately, that’s the beauty of bookstores like McLean & Eakin—they may be independent, but still, they know that the heart of their business is a deep connection to their beautiful community.

You can currently get bookseller assistance via McLean & Eakin’s front door vestibule or by phone from 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday–Saturday, at 231-347-1180. You may also email them at books@mcleanandeakin.com, or contact them via social media on Facebook or Instagram.

“You can’t replicate the conversations we have with people in the community or on the shop fl oor.”

McLean & Eakin has curated a great collection of regional and Michigan authors who not only pay their respects to the region and its people but o er a unique insight into the beauty of the area. In fact, if you look closely, you may even see an homage to a favorite indie bookstore in the pages (hint: Check out “Station 11” by Emily St. John Mandel). Here are a few recommendations for regional titles. For a more robust list, visit mcleanandeakin.com.

AGES 2 AND UP Tallulah, Mermaid of the Great Lakes by Denise Brennan-Nelson

AGES 8 AND UP The Wild Path by Sarah Baughman

ADULT FICTION Northernmost by Peter Geye

ADULT NONFICTION The King of Confidence: A Tale of Utopian Dreamers, Frontier Schemers, True Believers, False Prophets, and the Murder of an American Monarch by Miles Harvey

PHOTO CONTEST

Most votes on Facebook!

Cutest Couple

1. “Ian & Grandma” by Laurie Johnston 2. “Fall family photo” by Kayla & Cody Morrison 3. “Who doesn’t love a selfie!” by Marla Bidwell 4. “I love you, Dad!” by Amy Truchan 5. “Just married” by Michelle Forward

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Enter to win a $200 energy bill credit!

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Submit Your “Garden” Photos! Submit your best photo and encourage your friends to vote! The photo receiving the most votes in our Facebook contest will be printed in an issue of Country Lines along with some of our other favorites. Our February theme is Gardens. Photos can be submitted through February 20 to be featured in our April issue.

Enter Your Photos And Win A Bill Credit! To enter the contest, visit cherrylandelectric.coop/photo-contest or visit facebook.com/ cherrylandelectriccoop and click “Photo Contest” from the menu tabs. Enter your picture, cast your vote, and encourage others to vote for you as well. If your photo is printed in Country Lines during 2021, you will be entered to win a credit of up to $200 on your December 2021 bill.

Rising Temps Mean Slower Co-op Trucks

H

ave you ever wondered why big trucks seem to be driving slower as spring comes around? It’s because they are required to by law.

the board the cooperative’s proposed operating and capital budgets for 2021. The board reviewed and approved both budgets. alternate) for the National Rural Electric Cooperative

Association (NRECA) Annual and Regional Meetings.

NRECA represents more than 900 consumerowned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives, public power districts, and public utility districts in the

United States. updated the board on new employees and current job openings—the cooperative’s employee base averages between 55 and 60 people. Members have the opportunity to provide input to the board prior to any regularly scheduled board meeting. To have your comments included in a monthly board packet for review, please submit them to Board Assistant Secretary Shannon Mattson at smattson@cherrylandelectric.coop a minimum of three business days before the monthly board meeting. Every year, Michigan counties enact “frost laws” to help minimize the impact of heavy trucks on Michigan’s roads during the spring cycle of freezing and thawing. That means that vehicles like Cherryland’s line trucks are subject to seasonal weight and speed restrictions (maximum of 35 mph).

As we approach spring, be on the lookout for slow-moving trucks, and keep in mind that we aren’t driving slowly to thwart your plans; we’re just obeying the law and doing our part to protect our roads.

Learn more about frost laws and which counties are

Your Board In Action

December Board Meeting

The cooperative’s chief financial officer presented to

The board selected its voting delegate (and

The cooperative’s director of human resources

currently enacting them at micountyroads.org.