Exploring Life & Business with Vi Keller of Scovies Gourmet

Today we’d like to introduce you to Vi Keller. 

Hi Vi, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My ex-husband and I moved back to Northern Michigan 2003 to open our own business. We both had been working jobs which had us on the road a lot and we decided if we were working as hard as we were we should be doing it for ourselves. We looked at several properties in the surrounding area and decided that we could fill a void in Charlevoix. We divorced in 2009 but I kept the deli and continued to grow with the demands and needs of the community. Celebrating 20 years on April 17, 2023 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not smooth going for any small business in Northern Michigan due to the season influx. Having a good local year-round base is what has kept us open. We opened another full-service restaurant and that was just too much of a load and the wrong partners in that endeavor. Then the divorce and the wave of customer base from that since I’m not a local and my husband was. Then Covid happened and staffing struggles which everyone has felt with the last 3 years. Throw in the product cost increase and lack of availability and you have it mostly up to speed to date. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Scovies Gourmet?
Scovies is a deli/bistro that has been in business for 20 yrs. in downtown Charlevoix. We serve lunch and dinner (Friday/Saturday) and have a full-service bar featuring draft microbrews and wines from around MI. We have seating up to 108 and 2 dining areas with one serving as our onsite event space for small parties and rehearsal dinners. 

We do offer pick up, drop off and full-service event catering from 20-200. 

We have fresh baked goods daily and specialize in special event and wedding cakes. Cookies, Pies< Cakes, quiche, etc… 

What sets us apart from others is we are a “one-stop shop” when it comes to events and catering functions. We have “weathered the storms” so to speak with staying open for the community through 2020 and continue to share our space to help make memories and serve people their favorites from over the years. 

We can be found at 111 Bridge Street or scovies.com 

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
We are all still recovering from 2020 and our industry is constantly changing and adapting to our ever-changing customers’ needs. The staffing issues that started before 2020 in N MI and have drastically gotten worse make it tough so I see that many “service” changes are going to happen and unfortunately some will, I’m sure, just call it quits. Fine dining will be something that is a “special occasion” again like when I was younger since it is costing more to get qualified employees and many owners are having to increase pay requirements or go back into the trenches themselves. Also, the cost of product has skyrocketed across the globe since there is so many suppliers/producers that have either not made it through the Covid crisis or not able to produce as they once could due to lack of workers as well. 

Pricing:

• Check average /person lunch=$10-15
• Check average;/person Dinner=$18-29

Contact Info:

• Website: scovies.com
• Facebook: scovies gourmet

Image Credits
Vi Keller