Pictured is the living room of the Teal Lake Escape Airbnb. (Journal photo by Trinity Carey)

MARQUETTE — A used car lot, a bait and tackle shop, an ice cream store, a chiropractic office, a yoga and tanning studio, and now a short-term rental.

Negaunee residents have seen business after business cycle through the little building located between Teal Lake Pizzeria and the old waterworks building, but owners Jim and Marilyn Bucholtz say they are here to stay.

The two purchased the 900-square-foot building they call the Teal Lake Escape in December, and in about seven months have renovated it into a quaint and luxurious short-term rental.

The property sleeps a maximum of three guests with its king-size bed and hideaway sofa and costs $300 per night, with a minimum three-night stay.

This is the 11th property purchased by the Bucholtzes, who often buy renovate, redesign and resell their homes, but so far this one is their favorite.

“I think that’s why we call it the Escape,” Marilyn said. “It’s like we won the lottery after living here a month. We’ve lived so many places. This is by far our favorite and I think it goes with the analogy ‘less is more.'”

After living in Marquette their entire lives, the Bucholtzes’ son moved to Negaunee, which got them into looking for a home in the area. After four years of searching they finally acquired the property, but then they had to figure out how they were going to live in a space built for a business.

“We knocked our heads around and came up with the idea that we’re going to make it a (short-term rental),” Jim said. “With our son’s blessing, we could rent it out and then we moved to our son’s house when someone would come in, so we had a place to go so it would work out.”

The Bucholtzes knocked down and put up walls, changed the lighting, built a fence, and installed new flooring, cupboards, countertops and more to transform the building they say was basically just a box.

“What motivates you is you know what’s going to happen in the end … I focus on the end result, so I just dig in with the mess,” Marilyn said.

And turning it into the peaceful Escape it is today wasn’t easy. The Bucholtzes had to be creative in their design, adding a wall to create a bedroom, knocking down a wall to open up the space and even building cupboards around the hot water heater to keep it out of plain sight.

While designing the home and yard, the Bucholtzes had to make sure their projects followed all city codes and ordinances. City Manager Nate Heffron and Planning and Zoning Administrator David Nelson were instrumental in the process; without their help there would be no short-term rental, Jim said.

“They were very, very kind and knowledgeable and I can’t help but thank them enough,” Jim said.

With the help of city officials who approved a curb cut next to the property, the Bucholtzes were also able to designate two parking spaces for those who stay at the Teal Lake Escape.

Guests will also enjoy design elements such as a white wood chandelier, Mexican tile incorporated into the shower and bathroom sink, a unique in-wall fireplace and more. They also plan to put an additional window in the living room for an optimal view of Teal Lake.

In the backyard, besides direct access to the beach, there is a fireplace, a paddle boat and an itBike, an aquatic bicycle similar to a paddleboard design.

Guests are also in walking distance of local businesses such as Teal Lake Pizzeria, Irontown Pasties and gas stations, and only a short walk or drive to downtown Negaunee.

Besides the peace and tranquility offered at the lakeside rental, the Bucholtzes believe the sense of community in Negaunee will be the most enjoyed part of their guests’ stay.

They’ve experienced unmatched kindness from various local business owners and even passersby on the street who thank them for fixing up the building that locals have seen pass through the hands of many owners.

A painting of the Negaunee water tower hangs on a wall of the property, gifted to Marilyn by the owner of Midtown Bakery, MaryBeth Kurtz, after she expressed the joy the piece brought her. The painting is symbolic of the sense of community in Negaunee the Bucholtzes hope their guests will experience too, they said.

“I think people aren’t overwhelmed here yet … They don’t seem agitated or short-tempered,” Jim said. “The attitude of the people of Negaunee, it’s contagious.”

To view the short-term rental, visit airbnb.com and search North Teal Lake Avenue, Negaunee, MI, and look for Teal Lake Escape.

Trinity Carey can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 206. Her email address is tcarey@miningjournal.net.