ALPENA – The Water Street Commons is looking for small businesses interested in renting out space seasonally at their Water Street Commons location. According to Anne Gentry, Executive Director of the Alpena Downtown Development Authority (DDA), a couple businesses that occupied space last year will not be returning this year.

“We are looking for three businesses that want to be part of the commons for the summer season,” Gentry said. “We have three businesses returning, Blu Blends, Calia’s Empurrium, and Modern Wellness.”

One of the most popular attractions to the Water Street Commons, Knaebe’s Apple Farm Ciderworks, will not be returning as Knaebe’s progress towards opening a new location.

“We will have two spots to fill, Knaebe’s will not be back due to the fact they are opening a second location in Rogers City … they won’t be leasing anymore,” Gentry explained. “So, we are looking for someone who might be interested in beverage service, or a tasting room, as well as a few other retailers.”

The other business that is opting not to return for another season is Alpena Sourdough.

“Alpena Sourdough had a really successful summer last year. Unfortunately, it seems like they were unable to keep up with the demand going from being a farmers market venue to being a daily presence,” Gentry said.

Because of the success Alpena Sourdough had, the DDA believes a similar business could come in and possibly pick up where they left off.

“We are looking for someone in the bakery field to come down to the Commons as well just because we do not have a bakery downtown,” Gentry said. “This could be a really good opportunity for someone that currently bakes out of their home or provides services at a farmers market to take that next step as a business.”

A bakery is not the only idea being discussed, based on community feedback it seems as though a few different ideas could be a good fit for the location.

“Our target list includes the bakery idea, retail, and we received a lot of feedback about more locally made or locally unique products, whether that be artwork or clothing and things like that,” Gentry said.

Because of the success Knaebe’s had, Gentry said that the idea of some sort of tasting room has also been discussed.

“Someone that could sell some type of alcohol would be great down there, but it would have to be a tap room or a tasting room just because of how liquor licensing works,” Gentry added.

Scott Kromer, Knaebe’s co-owner, said that his business’s focus is on a new location in Rogers City.

“As we were getting through the winter and getting things set up with the new location in Rogers City, we just didn’t want to risk spreading ourselves too thin and cut anything short,” Kromer said. “That is why we decided not to apply for this season at the Commons.”

Kromer was asked about the idea of opening a brick-and-mortar type business in Alpena, but the timing currently does not fit as Kromer continues to work on opening their Rogers City location.

“Not at the moment, we are still invested in everything that’s right in front of us, but we are always looking at opportunities and situations coming down the road,” Kromer explained.

Kromer discussed the progress being made in their new location, which will go by the name Parkside Trading Post.

“Things are coming along well … we have been working with the building department to get everything situated,” Kromer said. “We anticipate a mid-May opening for that location at 5576 US 23 North.”

Josh Jambor can be reached at jjambor@thealpenanews.com.