Food is undoubtedly a big part of any vacation. Everyone’s gotta eat! Visitors to our nook of the lakeshore are no different. To be sure, Saugatuck, Douglas and Fennville boast a myriad of delicious and exciting restaurants. But, we’ve noticed guests increasingly asking, especially in our newfound socially-distanced world, for innovative ways to eat and cook at their rented cottage, house or Airbnb.
Enter Isabel’s Market + Eatery. In 2019, this talented team joined the Saugatuck-Douglas food and beverage scene and have certainly made their mark. Needless to say, we’ve been a bunch of times! And still, we’re discovering new joys of the establishment. What do they have, you ask? What don’t they have! At Isabel’s, you’ll find…
A bakery. A deli. A fish counter. A meat counter. A specialty cheese counter (including our favorite creamery, Evergreen Lane in Fennville). Daily house made pasta. Easy take-and-bake items. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner fast-casual offerings. An entire specialty grocery store (with all the fancy things we miss from Whole Foods, including a focus on many local foodstuffs). A killer wine selection handpicked by their in-house sommelier. Cooking classes taught by their culinary director and, occasionally, some local guest chefs (we were lucky to host one this past fall). Outdoor seating. And more to come…we’re sure!
Our personal favorites:
1. Housemade Bucatini - Take spaghetti night to a WHOLE NEW LEVEL. Check their fresh pasta section for all kinds of daily-made shapes and sizes.
2. Fresh Ahi Tuna - All of their fresh seafood selections are of pristine quality and cut. Ahi is our favorite. But, the cooler is always worth perusing. They even frequently carry whole octopus!
3. Coffee Banana Pudding - A rare treat, but I still check for this every time I go. So, if you see it, don’t think; just snag it.
4. Boxed French cookies (various) - Alec always seems to sneak these in the basket. But, I’ll admit, these sweets are perfect morning coffee accompaniments.
But now, let’s hear from them!
Elizabeth Estes, one of the owners, graciously took the time to answer a few of our questions about Isabel’s.
In the food and restaurant world, we’re always interested in new and unique spaces and concepts. What are a few things that inspired Isabel’s space and concept?
The higher level design was inspired by a love of two things, European Markets and Michigan Farm Stands. If people have traveled to Europe, we wanted it to be a reminder of those experiences. If they haven’t, we wanted it to be an aspirational feeling of being there. We also wanted it to feel both old and new at the same time - meaning the classic and contemporary. Our partner and designer, Christine Bridger did an amazing job of pulling it all together.
The wall on your building reads “Judge each day not by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant.” I love that sentiment. How does that relate to your mission at Isabel’s?
It truly is the core of who we are and of our namesake, Isabel Graham. When she died in 1954 she left $5,000 to a local church which has grown to over $1,000,000 today. The interest alone gives away $30-40k a year to local charities. She planted a seed that is still giving today. It’s what we want Isabel’s to be. A place that gives back, that does good work for our community and has a spirit of knowing that it’s not about the harvest reaped, but what you can do to plant seeds for the future. The future community, the future generation, all of it. It’s more than a slogan, it’s our ethos.
Looking for scoop here. Any future plans or additions to the Isabel’s venue you can share with us?
Although it wasn’t planned, we did purchase the property next door to the current Isabel’s Market and Eatery, the former Kalico Kitchen. We have a lot of ideas and have engaged a hospitality architecture firm, but we have not yet settled on exactly what we want it to be. We have received a ton of suggestions and ideas, and we feel like we are getting closer, but we aren’t quite there yet. I will say that we intend to stay true to the mission though. Education, Experience and Engagement, all through culinary. It’s our belief that food isn’t just about taste or sustenance, it’s about family, it’s about memories and it’s about connecting at a really cool level. We want to expand our offerings to help create those experiences.
What’s the ONE thing guests should do, buy or try when visiting Isabel’s for the first time?
Hmmm.. that’s a tough one. First, I think the most important thing about Isabel’s isn’t on the shelves, it’s the people we are lucky enough to have working there. I’m so very proud of the team we have assembled. They are really good people and have such a passion for Isabel’s and what we do. Additionally although they aren’t seen as much our kitchen team loves to create amazing dishes for the deli cases and challenge themselves every day. They are always in the back dancing and singing.
Our Director of Ops/Sommelier, Mindy Trafman knows a ton about wine at all levels and we have a really fun, ever changing wine selection. We have really cool products and many that were chosen specifically for their meaning. Products that give back, like Slow Jams from Detroit that helps at risk youths, or Chunk Nibbles that benefit foster dogs and soldiers suffering from PTSD. We have a ton of products from women owned companies, as we feel its so important to give back in that way and support those who are trying, in difficult times, to make a go of it.
But if you are going to make me pick one thing......go for a cinnamon roll. You won’t regret it!!
And now, the question we ask everyone…Isabel’s aside, what’s on your must-do list for visitors to the Saugatuck, Douglas and Fennville area?
That’s another tough question. There are SO many things to do. I was interviewed recently for a magazine article about Saugatuck Douglas and the writer said to me that he thought SD was only for adults and there wasn’t anything for kids. I actually laughed out loud. There are so many things to do for EVERYONE.
So for kids (literal, or those at heart) I’d say take the Dune Rides and ask for Nate. He’s the best. Or, go to Retro Boat rentals and check out all they have. The Star of Saugatuck is a really cool experience for everyone to see the beauty of the area from the water. For a chill day, go hike Crow’s Nest or if you want to challenge yourself, take the 302 steps to the top of Mt. Baldy. If you want culture - we have so many amazing artists in our community highlighted at various galleries. And the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, as the only equity theatre between Chicago and Detroit has a level of talent that we are so fortunate to have. Finally, and this might seem weird given all of our outdoor options (Oval Beach and State Parks), but I absolutely love the Saugatuck Douglas History Museum. You can learn a ton about who we are as a community by those who have gone before us.
Isabel’s Market + Eatery
310 Blue Star Hwy, Douglas
(269) 815-6246
Isabelsmarket.com
