Formerly Linehan’s News Stand, Mary Ellen’s Place has a special history dating as far back as 1928. Mary Ellen herself has her own history, just as special.
Growing up in Wyandotte, Michigan, Mary Ellen Hughes moved north in 1970 with her former husband Harmon and three young daughters. They had purchased the then Crow Bar restaurant (now Crow’s Nest) on North State Road in between Harbor Springs and Cross Village and began a career in the local foodservice industry.
After nine successful years of operation, they made the decision to sell the business to one of Mary Ellen’s 19 first cousins, Michael McElroy. For Mary Ellen, the next nine years included time managing the food and beverage program at Birchwood Farms Golf & Country Club as well as managing Harmon’s Specialties, a restaurant supply company located in Petoskey.
In 1988, Mary Ellen made the sole decision to purchase Linehan’s News Stand from Mr. Fred Linehan, son of Harry Linehan who had purchased the business from the original owner, Mr. Cleeland on April 12, 1945. The fourth owner of this eighty year old business, Mary Ellen Hughes works daily running the business. Her warmth and sincerity continue to make customers smile day after day.
IN THE NEWS
”Serving It Up: Mary Ellen's Place” - The Graphic Weekly June 2009 (pdf)
