Best in the biz: The very best of Bill Flick
Pet-friendly Hotels
Pets are part of the family, and travelers can expect their furry friends to be greeted with a warm reception at dog- and cat-friendly hotels around the world. Intimate boutique hotels and grand luxury resorts alike welcome pets with in-room extras, like a plush bed or food and water bowls, and animal-centric amenities such as dog-and-human spa treatments, pet concierges, or special room-service menus. It may cost a little extra — every hotel's pet policy is different — but we can all agree the additional fees are worth it for your companion to be treated like royalty.
Meet The Curator(s) Of This Charming Grayling Boutique
A weary, rundown storefront in Grayling awaited its next adventure. To the Podjaskes, it shimmered with potential.
This article first appeared in Traverse Northern Michigan. Find this story and more when you explore our magazine library. Want Traverse delivered to your door or inbox monthly? View our print subscription and digital subscription options.
Photo by The Curator
Walking into The Curator on Michigan Avenue you're greeted by an array of home goods, pet items, baby supplies and toys, clothing and art. An organic pup-tart might make its way into your basket along-side an AuSable crewneck, a Hartwick Pines–scented candle and a learn-to-crochet kit for beginners.
The Repair Shop, a sister store to The Curator, hosts a more food-focused selection, with beer, wine, fun mixers and a charcuterie-board-ready line-up of meats and cheeses. Like the flagship store, the curation is the magic, with local vintages snuggling up against Cakebread Cellars and a build-your-own six-pack set up.
Photo by The Curator
The 120-year-old building hits a sweet spot for owners Penny and Erich Podjaske. At one time, Penny's family owned it and ran a restaurant. Her great-great-grandfather was the chef, and Penny recalls her great-grandmother's stories of being a waitress there. It was later the home of other small businesses, including two hardware stores and a bicycle shop, where Erich spent several years working as a mechanic.
Their connection made the renovation a true labor of love—the original wood floors were uncovered, sanded and polished; the exposed brick and pressed-tin ceilings obvious must-keeps; and when 5,000 subway tiles arrived, each one was laid by Erich.
Photo by The Curator
Photo by The Curator
More Northern Michigan Finds:What's Costco's Best-Selling Product? The Answer Might Surprise You
Pop Quiz!
What do you think is Costco's best-selling item? Is it,
While all three Costco buys are popular, and all for good reason (value, mostly), one item ranks above the rest as the top dog, the heavyweight champion of the Kirkland world, the best-selling of all of Costco's thousands (millions?) of items.
Drumroll please!
And the answer is…our pandemic breakout star, toilet paper!
Fun fact: At the height of the pandemic, when toilet paper was scarce, Costco, "chartered three ocean vessels to transport {toilet paper and other items} between Asia and the United States and Canada," according to The New York Times.
Why is Costco's Kirkland Signature Bath Tissue No. 1?Costco sells over a billion rolls of toilet paper a year, and that in turn brings in almost a half a billion dollars in revenue. This TP is so popular for two reasons. First, it's a bargain. At 30 rolls for about $23, Costco's toilet paper is far cheaper than, say, Charmin (which sells 24 "Ultra Soft Bathroom Tissue Rolls" for $35 on Amazon).
In addition, Costco toilet paper works well. Costco spends considerable time and effort analyzing its toilet paper and ply, making sure it's strong enough, and white enough, to pass muster with the consumer.
Finally, and interestingly, Costco toilet paper is sustainable. The product is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council which mandates that the paper originate from responsibly managed forests.
We're No. 2!Costco's rotisserie chicken comes in a close second, and it's not hard to understand why. They are delicious, savory, succulent, and, yes, quite affordable. A Costco chicken is a tasty inexpensive meal for a family. (Or if you are like me, for a family's finicky dog who LOVES Costco chicken, but, alas, only on Day 1. Ha!)
Costco sells an astonishing 100 million rotisserie chickens each year, or about 150 chickens per store per day, at a cost of just $4.99 each. The rotisserie chicken has been sold at this price point for over a decade, despite rising costs.
Costco uses a tried and true business strategy for the chickens, the "loss leader." It costs more than $5 each for Costco to produce and sell each chicken, so each chicken is sold at a loss. But, this great deal leads to people coming into the store to buy cheap chickens, and a lot more, so it's worth it to take a loss on the chickens because they lead to more sales. Loss leader, see?
The juicy chicken is marinated, seasoned, and cooked on a spit, allowing the fat to baste the meat as it cooks. Costco built its own chicken processing plant in Nebraska in 2019 to help control costs and maintain the low price of the rotisserie chicken.
Like the paper in its TP, Costco also focuses on sustainability for its chicken production. Animal welfare is paramount, too. Costco aims to provide a product that is not only affordable, but also ethically sourced.
Costco does a lot of things right to give shoppers a lower credit card tab -- notably when it comes to creating quality products that people love at low, low prices.
Comments
Post a Comment