During this challenging time of change for our nation and for our national parks, Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore wants to shine a bright light – a lighthouse beacon if you will – on this very special place and on the people dedicated to protecting the national lakeshore for future generations. That’s the goal of our series entitled “Love our Lakeshore.” (You can tell us why you Love Our Lakeshore by filling out our simple form at this link.)

In this report Friends board member Neil Howk sits down with Bayfield business community member Esme Martinson of Broad Street Brokers, to explore the importance of relationship between the lakeshore and the local community, as an economic engine and as a special place worthy of our attention and protection.

I’m Esme Martinson and my business is Broad Street Brokers.

Neil: When did you start this business?

Esme: I believe it was about three years ago…in April.

Neil: Why did you decide to start a business here in Bayfield?

Esme: Well, I grew up in Bayfield and moved back here during college, so I needed to find a way to make a living. I had some experience of being a (real estate) sales person and at some point a few years ago it felt like if we were going to stay in the business, we needed to branch off on our own. So, myself and two of my coworkers started the company and have been enjoying it ever since.

Neil: What do you love about it?

Esme: I love that we get to meet different people every day and get a glimpse into their lives and worlds in a very personal way. It helps to build relationships in a small community. It’s something different every day…it’s never the same.

Neil: What does having a thriving Apostle Islands National Lakeshore with all its visitors mean to your business?

Esme: Well, I think a lot of people move here because of the Lakeshore, even if they’re not super conscious of the fact that that’s what drives them here. The lake being healthy and thriving means that we have four different seasons here. We have lake effect snow, and the ice road, and all these other quirky things that contribute to our day-to-day (lives). So even if it’s not directly that they are on the water or they want the lake view, it (the lake) also causes the climate and the farms and the fruit and all the other stuff that we have.

Neil: How important would you say that the summer season is to your business?

Esme: I’d say that it’s very important. Not everybody wants to live here during the cold months. I think the fact that we have a tourist economy allows us to thrive and expands the interests of the different people that come here, so we serve kind of a melting pot of people.

Neil: What do you love about the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore?

Esme: Because my job means that I’m connected to so many people all day long, I’ve come to appreciate the simple fact that you can get away from the busyness of your daily life…the grind that you experience every day talking to people on the phone and being so connected online. If you get out on a boat, and you’re out on an island, you might not have great service or you just check out for the day, it’s just so peaceful and quiet. It’s the polar opposite of when you are at work.

Neil: With all the changes that are happening in the federal government, what is your hope for the future of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and the park staff who operate the park?

Esme: Being someone who grew up here and was a little girl out on a sailboat from a very young age. My hope personally is that the ability to get out on a sailboat, or on a ferry, or whatever to see the islands and their wildness and all the animals and things like that you experience out there… I hope that continues for the next generation and the next one after that. As for the people that work for the park, I know a lot of them personally and think they have jobs that they are very passionate about. I think it benefits us all for us to have passionate people working in that space. I hope that the public recognizes the value of those positions because they are people, and they are carrying a heavy weight and have a big responsibility.

Neil: Thank you very much Esme.