Traverse City is still a small town, or is it?

In this Thanksgiving Day episode, Mike reflects on the holiday, family, and the evolving character of Traverse City. It’s a bittersweet year—his family’s first Thanksgiving without his dad—but also a moment to appreciate traditions, good food, and time spent together.

From recent crime stories to long-standing local quirks, Mike explores whether Traverse City still feels like the small town he grew up in. He shares personal stories, local history, neighborhood breakdowns, and observations about everything from fast food failures to the layout of the airport and high schools.

Topics Covered Thanksgiving Reflections

• Sending well-wishes to listeners celebrating the holiday.

• The first Thanksgiving without Mike’s dad and the tradition of leaving an empty chair at the table.

Is Traverse City Still a Small Town?

• Recent unusual crime events:

  • The Walmart stabbing last summer.

  • A fatal parking-deck shooting involving car break-ins.

  • An attempted abduction at the Meijer gas station.

• Why these big incidents still feel like “small-town news.”

Population & Geography

• 2020 Census: About 16,000 people inside Traverse City limits.

• Metro area: ~153,000 across four counties (Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie, Kalkaska).

• Mike’s spot just outside the city—technically East Bay Township, but “still Traverse City” in daily life.

Neighborhoods & Areas Mentioned

• Downtown District

• Traverse Heights

• Old Town

• Central Neighborhoods

• Greilickville

• Acme / Williamsburg

• “Miracle Mile” – hotels and tourist strip on the bay

Tourism & Seasons

• Summer vs. winter crowds

• Winter visitors: snowmobilers, skiers, ice fishermen

• Bars downtown still feel local and familiar in the off-season

Traverse City Schools

• Current schools: Central, West, Traverse City High School (Mavericks), plus Catholic Central.

• Stories about the old buildings, snow-exposed walkways, and campus redesigns.

• The near-identical design of TC West and the Columbine High School campus.

Airports & Travel

• Cherry Capital Airport still feels small—Mike knows most of the airline and TSA staff.

• No Amtrak service in Traverse City yet; nearest connections are Grand Rapids or Holland.

• Mike’s go-to workaround: driving to New Buffalo to catch the train to Chicago.

Parking & Downtown Life

• Legacy of parking meters (now digital), plus multiple parking decks.

• Cherry Festival setup: rides, games, food stands—including local favorite Gibby Fries.

• Arnold Amusements (based in Acme) runs many Michigan carnivals.

Roundabouts, Traffic, and Small-Town Quirks

• Late-night flashing signals

• The ongoing roundabout debate

• Getting across town in only ~15 minutes even on a busy day

Fast Food in Traverse City – A Unique Landscape

• Chains that didn’t survive: several McDonald’s, Burger Kings, Arby’s, Ruby Tuesday, Hooters

• Three Meijer stores serving the area (original, Acme/Williamsburg, and soon Chum’s Corners)

• Local burger highlights: Slabtown Burgers, Bubba’s, Eastfield’s Proper Burger (with commentary)

Local Dining Identity

• Traverse City tends to favor local restaurants over big chains

• Well-loved local Mexican places like La Señorita

Closing Thoughts

Mike wraps up with a warm Thanksgiving message—hoping listeners enjoy good food, family, and gratitude—and shares appreciation for being able to create a daily episode for NaPodPoMo.