Editor’s note: This article was published in Grand Traverse Scene magazine’s Summer I 2026 issue. Pick up a free copy at area hotels, visitor’s centers, chambers of commerce or at the Record-Eagle building at 1764 Forest Ridge Drive in Traverse City. Click here to read GT Scene in its entirety online.
Driving on the historic M22 highway in Leelanau County leaves locals and tourists alike feeling like they’re in a utopia.
Patrons visiting the county this summer will continue to have their breath taken away, and as they do, they’ll also find new treasures along the way.
Upon entering Leelanau County on West Bay of Grand Traverse Bay, new businesses and buildings have popped up, including Ride Leelanau’s 11,000-square-foot newly opened bike shop in Greilickville at 133680 S. W. Bay Shore Dr, Traverse City.
Ride Leelanau originally started out of Bayside Gallery in downtown Suttons Bay inside a 150-square-foot office and two outside tents. The Millns family owns Bayside Gallery and decided to start a bike rental business on the side.
“We were just working in such a small operation in Suttons Bay,” said Sales and Service Manager Tristan Millns. “It was a natural progression to look for something bigger. Through a mutual friend, we found the building we’re currently in was going up for lease, so we jumped on that right away.”
The new location is in addition to the Suttons Bay location, and customers can rent a bike at the Traverse City shop and ride it to Suttons Bay.
“That will allow people to do one-way rides. So they can start at one end and drop the bike off at the other,” Millns said.
The new shop also has a full bike service center, two show rooms for bike sales, a full rental suite and a large warehouse for storage, allowing Ride Leelanau to offer more than 120 bikes in their rental fleet, up from 45 prior to the new location.
“With the other things in Greilickville coming up like Discovery Pier, you can tell this area is kinda ready to boom, and we wanted to be a part of that,” Millns said.
The pier has undergone significant transformation in the last four years, said Matt McDonough, Discovery Pier CEO. “That used to be a coal dock, and now it’s a public park.”
Across the street, a new 38,000-square-foot Freshwater Innovation Center is being built, with completion expected sometime next year.
“It’s really this cool hub for Great Lakes and fresh water science, research and development of new technology that help us protect water,” McDonough said. “Part of it will be open to the community, some of it’s not. Some of it’s high tech lab space. It’s really kind of Traverse City’s first innovation space, and it’s all designed to help protect the natural resource that is most identified with our region, which is fresh water.”
The goal is to unite education, research and innovation, he said.
Driving north on M22, leaving Greilickville and entering Suttons Bay, several old, beloved businesses remain but some have changed. North Country restaurant is now called Cantina 22, offering Mexican-inspired cuisine. The Happy Woman retail store transformed into Suttons Bay Art Gallery.
In Northport on M22, patrons will find a new breakfast and lunch joint, Jeannine’s Restaurant. Leland also has a new breakfast and lunch restaurant called Breakfast on Main, formally known as the Early Bird. And the Blue Bird Restaurant and Tavern in Leland also opened its doors this spring after a new building was constructed, replacing the old building that was demolished.
Those looking for outdoor fun with food, putt-putt golf, live entertainment and more Mexican-food flair can stop by the River Club in Glen Arbor.
“There’s truly something for everyone. Everyone loves to putt no matter your age,” Mike Sheldon, founder and CEO, said via email. “The “Mexigan” (Mexican inspired, Michigan fresh) meals are both tasty and healthy. We have three full bars featuring eight different margaritas as well as lots of nonalcoholic options. And the live music and riverfront views are nice, durable assets that people can enjoy for free.”