FEATURED BUSINESSES

STAFFORD'S PERRY HOTEL

GRANDPA SHORTERS

LITTLE TRAVERSE JEWELERS

MIDWAY MUNCHIES

THE CIRCUS SHOP

PAULINE VIALL

PAPA LOU'S

Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts has been a part of the Shorter family since it opened in 1946. Carl and Ruth Shorter opened Shorter’s Indian Craft Store, as it was then called, on the corner of Lake and Petoskey Streets, where it has remained for over sixty years. The store has passed through several generations of Shorters, and while the name has changed, the tradition has not. Carl’s granddaughter Jennifer, along with her mother Mari, father Bill and four-and-a-half year old daughter Kaitlyn, continues the long standing institutions of quality, selection, honesty and small town friendliness started sixty-one years ago.

The first items Carl ordered for his modest ten by twelve foot store, were Minnetonka Moccasins. It was his first account as a storeowner and was likewise Minnetonka’s first account issued. The two businesses have expanded together, and the Minnetonka brand can still be found at Grandpa Shorter’s store. In addition to Native American souvenirs, there is also a vast selection of accessories for the home or cottage, including the Up North Lodge look and beautiful floral arrangements.

With the support of the Petoskey community and its visitors, Shorter’s Indian Craft Store grew in both size and variety. During the 1970s the name was changed to Shorter’s Gifts, which it remained until 1983.

Sadly, in 1983, after thirty-seven years of participation and service in downtown Petoskey, Carl Shorter passed away. His youngest son, Bill, and his family helped Ruth with the store. Bill’s wife Mari worked full-time at the store, and she still contributes much of her time to maintaining the tradition set before her. Carl had become known as “Grandpa Shorter,” and he was missed so dearly, it was fitting the store be renamed in his honor. Jennifer vows it will never be changed again!

For many years, Bill and his wife Mari, along with Jennifer and her brother Ryan, helped Grandma Ruth run the store. Jennifer loved going there after school, ordering new fun things to sell and being a part of the downtown Petoskey community. Eventually, though, Jennifer grew up and attended the University of Michigan Business School. She graduated in 1996, worked in Holland, MI for one year, and decided to return to the family and community she missed and loved so much. She returned to Grandpa Shorter’s, now partially her store, and was thrilled at the opportunity to be a part of her hometown community. She, alongside Mari and Bill, continue to fulfill the philosophy that their family has carried on for generations. At Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts, everyone, from the smallest child to the eldest grandparent, can take something home.

Jennifer, her family and staff look forward to assisting you when you visit Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts in downtown Petoskey, where you will experience old fashioned service, and you will feel like a member of the Shorter family. Grandpa Shorter’s is located at 301 E. Lake Street, (231) 347-2603, www.grandpashorters.com.