Leelanau Lodging Options for Your Northern Michigan Getaway
Leelanau County is home to gorgeous beaches, a blossoming culinary scene and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Explore our list of lodging.read more
What are Amy and Kevin Murphy cooking up at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula? Lots! We check in with the couple, who owns New Bohemian Cafe in.read more
You voted and the results are in! From the region s best beaches to Veterinarian Practices making a local impact, here are your 2021 Leelanau &.read more
Leelanau County is known for its gorgeous beaches, endless outdoor activities, colorful towns and delicious restaurants. Explore our list of.read more
Meet the Murphys: New Bohemian Cafe & Omena Bay Country Store
What are Amy and Kevin Murphy cooking up at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula? Lots! We check in with the couple, who owns New Bohemian Cafe in Northport and recently rented the historic Omena Bay Country Store in neighboring Omena.
You might know Amy and Kevin Murphy from New Bohemian Café in Northport (more on that darling spot in a moment). This spring, the couple took on a second venture, renting the historic Omena Bay Country Store from owner Donald Leathery Jr. who is renovating the entire property. Constructed in the late 1880s, the building has always been home to a general store, originally named P.R. Barth General Merchandise. The Murphys plan to carry on the legacy, offering light grocery items, grab-and-go food, wine, beer, liquor, cottage and campsite essentials and “some special gifts for people to be able to take a little memory of Omena back home,” Amy says.
This Leelanau County town was originally settled in 1852 on the west side of Grand Traverse Bay, in a little inlet now known as Omena Bay.
Reverend Peter Daugherty had moved his Indian mission away from Old Mission to this new area, which he called “New Mission”. In 1858 the community received its first post office, and a few years later (1877), the town – now also a railway stop on the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad - was re-named “Omena P.O.”.
Daugherty built a Presbyterian church which he intended as the hub of town. The church still stands, as you will see in the photo gallery below.