Reviving Bay City’s Historic Heart with Café Plans and Grants

Lumberman’s Mercantile isn’t just a store anymore. It’s turning into a café too, thanks to a $25, 000 grant that aims to boost small businesses and restore old buildings. The store sits in a 143-year-old brick building on Midland Street in Bay City, a street known for its mix of old and new businesses. The grant will help fix up the inside of the building and build a café called Café Louie. Owners Stephen Stoddard and Justin Vanderpoel see this as more than just expanding their business. They want to bring the community together in a place that feels like home. Café Louie won’t just serve coffee and pastries. The owners want it to be a spot where people can relax, unwind, and connect over good food and drinks. The café will highlight local makers and keep the historic vibe of the building intact. Stoddard mentioned that the goal is to create a space that’s welcoming and intentional, not just another quick stop. They also hope the café will attract more people to the Midland Street area, encouraging them to explore other shops nearby.The Match on Main grant program isn’t new. Since 2019, it’s helped over 700 small businesses across Michigan. These businesses have created hundreds of new jobs and brought in millions in private investments. For Bay City, this isn’t the first time the program has made an impact. Other local businesses like Bonejack Vintage Apparel and Wanigan Eatery have also received grants to improve their spaces. The program is competitive, with 144 businesses applying this year, the highest number yet. Small businesses like Lumberman’s Mercantile play a big role in keeping downtown areas alive. They bring character, jobs, and a sense of community. But they often struggle to afford the renovations needed to stay competitive. Programs like Match on Main help bridge that gap, giving these businesses a chance to grow without taking on massive debt. For Stoddard and Vanderpoel, the grant is a way to turn their vision into reality while giving back to the city they love. The bigger picture here is about more than just one café or one business. It’s about preserving history, supporting local economies, and creating spaces where people want to spend time. Bay City’s Midland Street is a great example of how a community can blend the old with the new, and this grant is a step toward making that blend even stronger.