Inspired, the elder Marshall-Rashid began making jam using heritage fruit varieties sourced directly from local farms. The first batches were cooked in the basement of Kilwins candy store in downtown Petoskey, where the aroma of jam reportedly tripled the pie sales at Jesperson’s next door.

The goal was never mass production. Instead, American Spoon doubled down on small batch cooking—each jam kettle still produces only 60 jars at a time. Walk into American Spoon’s flagship store today and you’ll find the same black-and-white linoleum floors, warm hospitality, and generous sampling spirit that have defined it for over four decades.

“Hopefully it’s a warm, inviting space—great Midwestern hospitality,” Noah says. “You can taste anything you like in the store, and hopefully we’ll have a little sampling or demo going on, and then you can stock your pantry.

Among the bestsellers are the deeply flavorful Sour Cherry Preserves— “really our best seller,” Noah confirms—along with Red Haven Peach, Early Glow Strawberry, and their Salted Maple Caramel. But there are also surprises. Their maple granola, first made for their café, is now popular enough to have its own dedicated production kitchen.

The company has also expanded into cocktail mixers, like Peach Punch and Cherry Lime Punch, showcasing Michigan fruits in new, fun formats. Yet, the heart of the company remains its commitment to its roots. “We firmly believe that great food relies on great ingredients,” Noah says.

“We go through very challenging and difficult steps to preserve as much of that original fruit character as possible. That means small batch preserving and highly skilled cooks who know the fruit and take it to the perfect moment.

American Spoon isn’t just made in Michigan—it celebrates Michigan. “There’s a connection between food and place,” Noah reflects. “What we hope to do is kind of celebrate that connection with these great products. Whether it’s the generational farmers who grow the fruit, the foraging tradition that sparked the business, or the simple joy of pancakes topped with maple syrup and jam, American Spoon offers visitors a true taste of Northern Michigan’s spirit.

And for Noah, this work is personal. “Michigan is my home. Northern Michigan, in particular, is among the most beautiful places in the world. I always remember traveling all over Europe when I was in college, and I would call home… and I would say, ‘It’s beautiful here, but I’m not sure it’s more beautiful than home.’” So, if you’re headed north in search of something special—something uniquely Michigan—make a stop at American Spoon.

You’ll find their shops in Saugatuck, Traverse City, Charlevoix, Harbor Springs, and at their flagship location in downtown Petoskey. Taste the preserves. Chat with the staff. Take home a jar or three. Because sometimes, the sweetest souvenirs are the ones that remind you where you’ve been—and why you want to come back. ●

TRAVEL TIP: American Spoon offers free samples of all of its products in every store, so you can munch your way through all the offerings and buy what you like best. EE BERGER PHOTO

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Michigan’s distilling scene has come into its own in recent years, with a wave of craft producers transforming everything from old factories to small-town storefronts into destinations for serious spirits. Each stop along the way offers more than just a pour—it’s a taste of Michigan’s terroir, its ingenuity, and its sense of place.

In Holland, Coppercraft Distillery specializes in premium small-batch spirits including straight bourbons, rye, vodka, gin, and rum. Visitors can tour the production floor and cozy tasting room or join a 30–45-minute guided tour ($15) to learn about the distillation process.

With sleek branding and a partnership with the Detroit Lions, they’ve brought mainstream visibility to Michigan craft spirits—without losing the small-batch soul. Their aged bourbon and ready-to-drink cocktails are built for both purists and partygoers.

Farther south, in the town of Niles, Iron Shoe Distillery may be smaller, but its impact is no less felt. It is known for its handcrafted approach and eclectic bottlings, Iron Shoe leans into the community ethos of Michigan’s distillery culture: local grains, bold experimentation, and a warm welcome at the bar.

Heading north, just outside Petoskey, Gypsy Distillery has transformed the former Bay Harbor Equestrian Center into Michigan’s largest single-roof distillery—a stunning 42,000-square-foot space with vaulted wood ceilings, sweeping views of Little Traverse Bay, and a one-of-a-kind still made by Detroit Still Works, one of the largest outside of Kentucky. Guests can tour the gravity-fed production facility, enjoy craft cocktails made with house vodka, gin, and rum, or relax in the spacious tasting room and cocktail garden.

The distillery also hosts live music, weddings, and private events, while the exclusive Gypsy Bourbon Lounge opens monthly for special pours and raffles. It’s a bold, beautifully executed destination that blends Northern Michigan charm with serious distilling ambition.

Nearby, Mammoth Distilling has created a broader network of spirit-forward spaces, with tasting rooms not only in Traverse City, but also in Grand Rapids, Bellaire, Bay Harbor, and Adrian. Their flagship rye and bourbon are staples, but each location has its own flavor, offering cocktails and community events that reflect the spirit of its setting.

It’s a distillery model rooted in both place and expansion—a homegrown brand with a statewide footprint. In Traverse City, Grand Traverse Distillery has spent nearly two decades perfecting its craft. Using local rye, corn, and wheat, they produce award-winning vodkas and whiskeys

Spirited Away

Food & Drink

Journeyman Distillery

M I C Hi Gan’ S C Raft D I Stille Ry T R Ai L

Journeyman Distillery

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Make The Journey

J ust 75 miles east of Chicago, Journeyman Distillery occupies a beautifully restored 1880s Featherbone corset factory in charming Three Oaks. This grain-to-glass standout crafts its spirits from organic Midwestern grains and aquifer-fed water, all distilled on-site in an industrial chic setting of exposed brick, maple floors, and vintage stills.

Visitors can choose from 60-to 90-minute guided tours ($15–$35), which offer a behind the scenes look at production—from milling and fermenting to distilling and barrel-aging. Tours culminate in a tasting of up to 13 spirits, including flagship offerings like Featherbone Bourbon, Last Feather Rye, and Bilberry Black Hearts Gin.

After the tour, guests are invited to stay awhile at the on-site Staymaker Restaurant, which serves classic American fare in a space fitting for both casual guests and private events. For a more immersive experience, travelers can overnight in “The Flat,” a five-bedroom loft-style apartment within the old factory—a perfect base for those seeking to live the distiller’s life.

Whether you’re a whiskey connoisseur or a curious traveler, Journeyman in Three Oaks promises a memorable blend of historic ambiance, award-winning spirits, and genuine hospitality. ● Journeyman Distillery

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Where to Sip Bourbon in Detroit

Detroit has no shortage of great bars, but if you’re after a deeper pour of local flavor, head to one of the city’s standout distilleries. These three bourbon-makers are crafting award-winning spirits—and offering cozy spots to sip them.

Detroit City Distillery

Located in the heart of Eastern Market, this small-batch distillery serves up handcrafted bourbon made with local ingredients. Their Butcher’s Cut Bourbon is a favorite, and limited releases—like honey bourbon from rooftop hives—keep things interesting. The tasting room is warm, rustic, and perfect for a flight.

Two James Spirits

The first distillery to open in Detroit since Prohibition, Two James is a Corktown staple. Their Grass Widow Bourbon, finished in Madeira casks, is smooth, complex, and unlike anything else in the city. The industrial-chic tasting room and inventive cocktail menu make it a great stop before dinner.

Valentine Distilling Co.

A few miles north in Ferndale, Valentine Distilling produces the acclaimed Mayor Pingree Bourbon. With bold, classic notes and a growing cult following, it’s worth the detour. The tasting room is sleek and inviting, and their bartenders know their stuff. ● that highlight Michigan-grown ingredients.

Their cherry vodka—a nod to the region’s fruit belt roots—is as bold as it is smooth, while their True North Rye pays homage to the state’s hardy spirit. A short drive down a quiet dirt road in Thompsonville brings you to Iron Fish Distillery, where the rye fields used in their spirits grow directly across the street.

This rural gem embraces a true ground-to-glass philosophy, with spirits crafted from grains harvested just steps away. The tasting room is warm and unpretentious, a place where small-batch rye, bourbon, and craft cocktails meet wide-open fields and northern sky.

Together, these distilleries aren’t just making whiskey or vodka—they’re bottling Michigan, one batch at a time. ● IRON FISH DISTILLERY

Michigan’s M U St- S E E Car S How S

As the leaves begin to turn and the summer crowds thin, Michigan’s roads come alive with the rumble of engines and the shine of polished chrome. Fall in the Mitten means one thing for auto enthusiasts: car show season.

From classic muscle cars to custom trucks and everything in between, these events are a celebration of the state’s deep automotive roots—and they draw fans from across the Midwest. Start with a bang in August at the iconic Woodward Dream Cruise, the world’s largest one-day automotive event.

Stretching from Ferndale to Pontiac along historic Woodward Avenue, the Dream Cruise draws over a million spectators and tens of thousands of classic cars, muscle cars, and custom builds. It’s a living museum of American automotive history.

In late August, head to Wyoming, Michigan, for the 28th Street Metro Cruise, where a 15-mile stretch of road becomes the route for a rolling showcase of classic and custom cars. This two-day celebration features a central car show, live music, and family-friendly activities spread across several neighborhoods in the city.

In September, Frankenmuth Auto Fest combines small-town charm with muscle car might. Set in the heart of Michigan’s “Little Bavaria,” this three-day weekend showcases more than 2,000 classic and custom cars in Heritage Park, along with cruising nights, live music, and that famous Frankenmuth hospitality.

Up north, the St. Ignace Annual Truck Show Weekend turns Mackinac’s gateway town into a showcase of semis and big rigs. Held each September, it features a truck parade through downtown and a lighted convoy across the Mackinac Bridge—a rare and breathtaking sight.

Finally, don’t miss Back to the Bricks in Flint. Held each August with events spilling into fall, this five-day festival celebrates the city’s deep automotive roots. It features rolling cruises, drive-in movie nights, concerts, and a massive car show that brings classic cars and collectors from all over the Midwest.

From hot rods to haulers to jaw-dropping paint jobs, Michigan’s fall car shows deliver thrills for gearheads and casual fans alike.

Festivals

Cruising Into Fall

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