Sand Lake Chamber Hosting New Business Ribbon Cutting
SAND LAKE — Several Sand Lake businesses will welcome the public later this month as part of a community-wide grand opening event hosted by the Sand Lake Chamber of Commerce.
The event will take place Sunday, Sept. 27, from 3 to 5 p.m., with participating businesses opening their doors for a public meet-and-greet. The afternoon is designed to give residents a chance to visit local shops, meet business owners and learn more about the growing mix of services now available in the Sand Lake area.
Among the businesses taking part is John’s “Pretty Good” Barbershop, a new one-chair barbershop owned by Sand Lake resident John MacDonald. The shop offers traditional barbering, including haircuts, straight razor shaves and the atmosphere of an old-fashioned neighborhood barbershop. MacDonald, who also owns Locals Barbershop in Grand Rapids, plans to transition to the Sand Lake shop full time at the beginning of 2027.
Another participating business is Lulu’s Cafe, a small, family-owned and operated coffee shop owned by Jessica Nelson. The cafe, which opened March 31, serves coffee, sandwiches and homemade soups, and has also begun offering private weekend dinner parties on the patio.
Also part of the event is The Pearl Rental Suites, a new space in downtown Sand Lake where independent beauty, wellness and self-care providers operate under one roof. Services at The Pearl include head spas, hair services, facials, lashes, sugaring, massage, personal training, wellness offerings and more.
The grand opening will also highlight the local medical practice of Dr. Jerod Gardner, a Michigan-trained physician now serving Sand Lake and the Tri County community.
Gardner’s Sand Lake practice is built around Direct Primary Care, a membership-based model that does not participate with traditional health insurance. The goal, he said, is to create a more direct relationship between physician and patient and provide accessible, personalized care without many of the barriers of the traditional insurance system.
Gardner said his goal is not simply to open another medical office, but to help rebuild healthcare as a community resource.
“I may be Sand Lake’s only physician, but this is our community, and its health belongs to all of us,” Gardner said. “My promise is simple: I will listen, I will advocate, and I will be in your corner. Let’s bring healthcare back home.”
The event will also feature Chosen & Created Co., located at 53 E. Lake Street in Sand Lake. Owner Dawn purchased the business in February 2026 and said it has been a blessing to watch it grow and become part of the community.
Chosen & Created Co. offers furniture, home décor, boutique items, vintage goods, vendor booths, bakery items and a farm fresh market. Dawn credited the shop’s employees, vendors and customers for helping create a warm, welcoming place.
“I’m incredibly thankful for our team, our vendors, and every customer who walks through our doors and supports us,” she said.
Chosen & Created Co. is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Other participating businesses include B Well Theraputic Massage, Sand Lake Family Dentistry, and Heritage Gunsmithing.
The Sept. 27 event gives residents a chance to visit these businesses, meet the people behind them and celebrate continued growth in the Sand Lake business community.
For more information visit the Sand Lake Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
