Fresh Lives Here: Idyllic Days on the Coast of Lake Michigan
When an Instagrammable setting is also an experience to remember, you know you’ve hit upon a golden idea. That’s what happened when longtime best friends Jennifer Brown and Katie Kenreich spotted a trend that seemed perfect for their hometown Michigan beaches.
“We noticed luxury picnics popping up on West Coast beaches and thought it was a great idea for this area. We didn’t have anything like it at the time,” says Brown. A few floor cushions, a table, pretty dishes and a handful of iPhone photos later became a viral post, which grew into Sincerely, K & J luxury picnics all over the eastern shore of Lake Michigan.
The concept also happened to strike at a particular moment in time, in 2021 when people were embracing outdoor events and sticking closer to home on their travels. Since then, they’ve thrown everything from upscale bachelorette beach parties to marriage proposals and intimate wedding events – complete with photographers, catering and custom beverages (no booze allowed on the beaches!).
Lifting up small businesses in the community is part of Sincerely, K & J’s model since each picnic is fully personalized. As a lifelong local of the South Haven area, Brown has her favorite places that she frequents herself and recommends to customers who are visiting from out of town:
For Perfect Picnic Fare
“In the Saugatuck area, I’m a big fan of Isabel’s Market + Eatery, which is kind of like a high-end market with specialty food items. The aesthetics in that place are phenomenal! The Farmhouse Deli & Pantry is another favorite that we recommend to people all the time.”
For a Casual Meal
“Three Blondes Brewing is a great spot in South Haven, and Silver Beach Pizza is a favorite in St. Joseph that’s a local landmark, right on the beach overlooking the water.”
Outdoor Spots
“We often try to find quieter spots to host our picnics. We love Packard Park in South Haven, which is not as well-known and has these little dune spots tucked away. Also, one of my favorite things to do is start in town in South Haven and walk down the river to the pier at night; it’s so beautiful and picturesque – you really can't beat it.”
Road Tripping
“You really can’t go wrong around here. North of here, Holland is one of my favorites, and it’s just stunning with an adorable downtown and great shopping. My husband and I often go to St. Joseph, where there are so many different cute places to eat and a cool event called Antiques on the Bluff. South of here is Baroda, which is in wine country and perfect for wine tasting; and I would also go to New Buffalo, which has the cutest ice cream shop called Oink's Dutch Treat. You could literally come here for a seven-day trip and just drive from town to town all along the coast.”