The transformative power of nature: A new business member profile
Research has long shown that time spent in nature is good for us, body and soul. The American Heart Association, among...
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 Mary Grant, owner of Keeper of the Light gift shop in Bayfield 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.
Mary: I am Mary Grant. I run the Keeper of the Light gift shop.
Neil: Do you remember when you started the business?
Mary: The previous owner was Dave Strzok who owned Apostle Islands Cruises. He started this store in 1995. 30 years ago.
Neil: When did you start working here?
Mary: We purchased the store in 2007.
Neil: Why did you want to get involved in this business?
Mary: So, a friend of mine got me a job at Apostle Islands Cruises. I was a deckhand for a little bit. That was kind of funny because I came from a dairy farm that had very little water near it. Just a few little bitty streams. Eventually Dave got me off the boat and into the office, and then he decided to open the store to go along with his cruise business, and so I managed the store when he opened it.
Neil: What does having a thriving Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and all its visitors mean to your business?
Mary: A thriving Apostle Islands National Lakeshore means a thriving Keeper of the Light, because people go out there and see the beauty and they want a little souvenir to take home, and that’s pretty much what we sell.
Neil: How important is the summer season to your business?
Mary: The summer season is extremely important. I’m open all year, but winter is really my time of the year to plan for summer. So, I never run out of things to do. You know it (summertime) is the bread-and-butter season.
Neil: What do you love most about the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore?
Mary: I think I have to say the lighthouses, because they are awesome. I think we are just so fortunate that this is a national park, and we have the means to keep them (the lighthouses) beautiful like they are… I mean all the money that has been put into them… the displays… just how pretty and the history and how they are presented is awesome!
Neil: With all the change taking place in the federal government, What is your hope for the future of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and the park staff that operate the park?
Mary: I certainly hope that we continue to get support from the federal government and they realize how important national parks are nationwide to everybody.
Neil: Any particular hopes for the staff?
Mary: I hope they realize how important it is to have staff at the lighthouses and the different points of interest in the islands, and the maintenance, and the people at the park service visitor centers… I mean it is very important.
Neil: Thanks very much Mary.
Neil Howk began working as a park ranger/interpreter for the National Park Service in 1978. He worked at a number of different parks over the years and served as the assistant chief of interpretation at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore from 1993-2016. He now serves as a board member of Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

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