Reviving Bay City’s Historic Heart with Café Plans and Grants
A $25,000 grant breathes new life into a 143-year-old building, blending history with modern gathering spaces.
From Lumber to Latte: A New Chapter
Nestled on Midland Street in Bay City, a street where old-world charm meets contemporary commerce, Lumberman’s Mercantile is undergoing a transformation. What was once a traditional storefront is now evolving into Café Louie, a café designed to be more than just another quick stop—it’s a hub for connection.
Thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Match on Main program, owners Stephen Stoddard and Justin Vanderpoel are renovating the interior of their 143-year-old brick building, preserving its historic character while creating a welcoming space. The goal? To foster community, highlight local makers, and give Bay City a new third-place destination—somewhere between home and work where people can linger over coffee, pastries, and conversation.
More Than Coffee: A Space for the Soul
Café Louie isn’t your average café. While it will serve artisan coffee, fresh pastries, and locally sourced treats, its mission runs deeper. Stoddard envisions a place where people can:
- Unwind after a long day
- Connect with neighbors over shared meals
- Discover unique goods from Michigan makers
The design will stay true to the building’s historic bones—exposed brick, vintage details—while adding modern comforts. The idea is to avoid a sterile, fast-food feel in favor of an intentional, home-like atmosphere where every corner tells a story.
"We don’t want this to be another stop on someone’s route," Stoddard says. "We want it to be a place they choose to linger."
And that lingering? It benefits more than just the café’s bottom line. Stoddard and Vanderpoel hope Café Louie will draw more foot traffic to Midland Street, encouraging visitors to explore neighboring shops like Bonejack Vintage Apparel and Wanigan Eatery—both past recipients of Match on Main grants.
Match on Main: Fueling Michigan’s Small Business Renaissance
The Match on Main grant program has been a game-changer for small businesses across Michigan since its launch in 2019. Here’s what it has achieved:
- 700+ businesses supported
- Hundreds of new jobs created
- Millions in private investment sparked
- 144 applications in 2024—the highest yet
For Bay City, the program has been a catalyst for revitalization. Small businesses are the lifeblood of downtowns, offering jobs, character, and a sense of belonging. But renovations? They’re expensive. Grants like this remove financial barriers, allowing business owners to compete without drowning in debt.
"Programs like this don’t just help one business—they strengthen the entire community," says Stoddard.
Why This Matters: Preserving the Past, Building the Future
At its core, this story isn’t just about a new café. It’s about:
✔ Preserving history – Restoring a 143-year-old building while adapting it for modern use. ✔ Supporting local economies – Every dollar spent at Café Louie circulates within the community. ✔ Creating belonging – A place where regulars become friends and strangers become neighbors. ✔ Balancing old and new – Midland Street proves that history and progress can coexist.
Bay City’s Midland Street is a testament to how vibrant communities thrive—where sawdust-strewn warehouses share sidewalks with boutique shops, and where grants like Match on Main act as the bridge between the two.
For Stoddard and Vanderpoel, this is personal. They’re investing in their city, not just their business. And as Café Louie’s doors prepare to open, one thing is clear: this isn’t the end of the story—it’s just the beginning.
