Today we’d like to introduce you to Sonja Richards.
Sonja, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Our farm is one of the original homesteads on Old Mission Peninsula. We have personally been there for about 35 years. We started with a small nursery and added lavender about 20 years ago. We still operate the nursery with annuals, hanging baskets, perennials, landscape mulch, and small shrubs. Our lavender farm is one of the largest in Michigan with over six acres of lavender. From that, we make many products. In addition, in 2018, we purchased The Cherry Stop and now make over a dozen types of jams and several condiments,. We carry dried cherries and chocolate covered cherries and also make delicious cherry pies and wonderful cookies and other cherry baked goods! All of the fruit we use is locally sourced. We started a smaller lavender farm in Empire and named it Sleeping Bear Lavender. . We have had a small store in downtown Traverse City for several years and just changed it over to the Sleeping Bear line when we moved to a new storefront, now directly on Front St; we just opened it last weekend.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Any business that has been around for as long as we have has seen ups and downs! Some of the challenges include weather, economy, and just finding the time and energy to do everything we want. These have been outweighed by meeting many great people, both local and from other places. We also get to work together as a couple everyday, which works for us well!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We have a nursery and lavender farm where we make most of our products, focusing on quality. We cater to locals and tourists and provide a welcoming and relaxing environment for them to shop and explore. Many people return year after year because they enjoy it so much, which is something we are proud of.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Bret, the youngest of four, grew up in a suburb of Detroit; his family had a cottage on Crystal Lake where they spent hours in the lake swimming and fishing. They also enjoyed visiting small local businesses and farm stands, which is where Bret developed an interest in and appreciation for nature and plants.
Sonja, on the other hand, is an only child who grew up north of Elk Rapids. Her best friend lived on a cherry farm, and the two spent a lot of time playing and working in the orchard. While her mom always had a garden and Sonja enjoyed the things grown in it, she never had much interest in gardening itself until after she met Bret and got involved with the farm. She enjoyed reading and playing outside.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.harborviewlavender.com
- Other: https://thecherrystop.com/
