Twenty-eight years ago my Aunt Mary bought Juilleret's restaurant in Charlevoix, Michigan, and she has been running it ever since. They do breakfast and lunch, and are known for their cinnamon bread and cinnamon rolls which, I must say, are delicious. My mouth is watering just writing about them, but wait till you see the pictures, you'll be in the same boat.
Mary is not only the owner who manages the finances and inventory, she also does all the baking in the morning and runs the griddle all day. And while she does have employees, (most importantly Jan the best waitress, who has been there longer than Mary has), Mary is Juilleret's. She is the fuel and the engine. It's rather an incredible feat that she accomplishes every day. Now, after all these years she is going to do something she really deserves: retire. The restaurant hasn't sold, so at the end of this season it will close it's doors. Our family and people in the community will miss it greatly, but we are happy for Mary to put her feet up for a little a while. Because I'm sure she won't be able to sit still for long, I don't think that's in her nature. But at least perhaps she won't get up every day at 4:30, and spend it toiling away. There will hopefully be many happy and leisurely evenings spent with my Aunt Pam. Before this all transpired, I wanted to document a little window into what Mary's life has been like at Juilleret's. My family went up to visit and celebrate the restaurant one last time this summer. I got up with Mary and shadowed her all day. It was amazing seeing how easily she multitasked and ran the kitchen. After those 28 years she has it down to a science. Here I am very proud and honored to present my series on Mary and Juilleret's.
13 Comments
Sandra Kaufmann
10/2/2015 06:08:18 pm
The rest is the best.Well deserved Mary!
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Maryanne Fearn
10/3/2015 08:20:25 pm
What a wonderful dedication!! Happy retirement Mary!!
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10/5/2015 12:11:41 am
Hey Mar:
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10/10/2015 11:01:29 am
This is so wonderful. Beautiful photos and what a cool restaurant. I love those seagulls. Congrats to your aunt - she seems like a hell of a woman. xo
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Babs Young
10/16/2015 06:47:52 pm
What a wonderful tribute to Mary, Jan and Juilleret's. These are excellent photographs, so well done. Truly professional!! They need to be kept in a book or something permanent.
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Michele Ostrander
10/19/2015 06:36:10 am
We have many fond memories of Mary and Jan and their delicious breakfasts! My girls loved looking at the pictures posted near the kitchen & the grilled cinnamon rolls were TO DIE FOR! We will miss the whole experience, but are happy for Mary and Jan and the R&R they will enjoy! Thanks for this wonderful tribute and the great pictures!!
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Seth
10/19/2015 01:01:52 pm
Thanks for writing this Kaitlin. As I read this from my desk high atop Manhattan, I'm reminded to the still recent recollection that this past summer was my second consecutive year (out of a total of two) in which I did not make a trip to Charlevoix. Every other year of my life, including, I'm told, part of the 9 months prior, I've spent some part of the summer and sometimes winter there. The hiatus has not been by choice, and being away has made me relish the return trip that much more.
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Ronna and Kenny and Family
10/19/2015 01:42:44 pm
Thanks so much for the pleasure of reading your blog! Love your Aunt Mary and Jan and we were in to eat lunch in August together. I am 66 years old and visited Charlevoix every year except for two...since I have been 8 years old.. We so appreciate your wonderful Aunt.
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Wendy Danzig
10/19/2015 06:21:09 pm
I will so miss your blueberry pancakes (favorite) and of course the scrumptious cinnamon raisin bread. Only have 1 left in the freezer. Oy. What to do....lose a few pounds I suppose. Thanks for sharing all your hard work and passion with us "fudgies". Be well and enjoy life.
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David Rothschild
10/21/2015 10:53:38 am
What an incredible tribute, Kaitlin. How many people have what it takes to make a living for so long out of something they do so well? Breakfast & lunch for 28 years--nothing fancy, just consistently great, year in and out. Thank you Mary for so many mornings of cinnamon french toast and fruit-loaded pancakes. Those calories were never wasted! We'll really miss you, and Jan, our favorite food bringer of all. Enjoy your time off, then hurry up and get into the baked goods business! If you promise to ship your cinammon bread to Chicago, we can guarantee soooo many customers...
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Laeey
2/2/2018 06:33:55 pm
Does anyone have Juilleret's cinnamon bread recipe.
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Kaitlin
2/3/2018 04:42:11 am
Hi Laeey,
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Jeremy Pepper
6/8/2020 11:33:43 pm
This takes me back to childhood; we moved from Michigan in 1986 so it must have been right before your aunt bought the place.
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