MC Momentum - Spring 2026

SPRING 2026
OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE MICHIGAN CITY CHAMBER
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4 Contents
SPRING 2026
MC MOMENTUM MAGAZINE
A PUBLICATION OF
THE MICHIGAN CITY CHAMBER
Feature Writing
Betsy Kohn
Design
Kre-Eight Design Marketing
Cover & Feature Photography
Aran Kessler Photo.Imaging
Printing
Schumann Printers, Inc.
in association with Bob Nelson,
Manufacturers Representative
Sales
Monica Komasinski
CHAMBER STAFF
Kurt Gillins
President
Monica Komasinski
Membership Director
Liz Pina
Marketing & Events Manager
200 E. Michigan Blvd.
Michigan City, IN 46360
219-874-6221
info@mcachamber.com
MichiganCityChamber.com
For advertising opportunities,
contact Monica Komasinski:
219-874-6221
monica@mcachamber.com
13 8
BACK IN BUSINESS.................................................................... 4
A devastating fire strengthened Brealon Hervey’s commitment to give back
A SWEET OPPORTUNITY .......................................................... 8
Where small business meets big hearts
MIXOLOGISTS TO THE RESCUE ..............................................11
At Leeds Public House, craft cocktails come with a charitable twist
CHAIN REACTION.....................................................................13
Kevin and Elizabeth Brown want local support to go viral
A PLAYBOOK FOR IMPACT ......................................................17
The sports mindset behind Arnett Construction’s business success
GROWING A LEGACY ..............................................................18
At Nature’s Cupboard, Mylese Tucker honors her mother’s vision for healthy living
New Members............................................................................19
Non-Profit Focus...........................................................20-21
Momentum Matters | Insights from the Chamber................22
Driving Excellence in MC
JOIN THE MOMENTUM 3

Back in
Business
A DEVASTATING FIRE STRENGTHENED
BREALON HERVEY’S COMMITMENT
TO GIVE BACK
By Betsy Kohn
4 MICHIGAN CITY CHAMBER

T
he morning of the fire, things were
routine.
It was Sunday, June 25, 2023.
Brealon Hervey was prepping in the
kitchen at Social Que, the brick-andmortar
restaurant he’d opened just
a month earlier at 1701 Franklin Street. For
several years, he’d been serving his mouthwatering
barbeque, “magic sauce,” and
smashburgers from a catering trailer.
The trailer – named the “Black Cadillac”
by his Aunt Josephine – was still his pride
and joy. With a customer service window,
refrigeration unit, and a smoker in back,
it was a regular at events like the Taste of
Michigan City and “Friday Night Lights” in
La Porte. It also drew steady lunch crowds
when it was parked at 7th and Franklin
Street, or in the lot at Reprographic Arts on
Michigan Boulevard.
On this day, the Black Cadillac was parked
at the St. Joe Club for a three-day festival.
One of Brealon’s employees set it up as
usual that morning, adding wood and
charcoal and lowering the smoker into
place. It would take at least eight hours for
the meat to be ready.
“I got a text first,” remembers Brealon.
“It said, ‘Your trailer’s smoking,’ but I didn’t
think much of it. I mean, it’s got a smoker
on it.”
Then, his phone rang. The smoke was
coming out of the roof.
Brealon jumped in his truck, racing the
three blocks to the St. Joe parking lot.
Black smoke poured from his beloved
Black Cadillac.
He ran to it and opened the door – a move
that fed the flames. As he backed away, the
serving window blew. He heard sirens.
Within minutes, firefighters were on
site to extinguish the blaze. It was later
determined that ashes from the night
before had ignited the side wall, then the
dry goods.
Thankfully, no one was injured. Thankfully,
Brealon had removed several propane
tanks the day before for refilling. Thankfully,
the wind blew south – keeping the flames
away from the St. Joe Club and nearby
vehicles.
But Brealon was heartbroken. His
Facebook post from that day says it all:
Man down….. As I sat and watched the
Black Cadillac in flames earlier, I can’t help
but let the ugly face happen and tears run
down my face. Of course that was my baby
and as the owner I take full blame. I see
everyone’s thank yous and your prayers.
Y’all already know I’m not going to ask
for help. Call me hard headed. Just come
flood the restaurant… and God’s plan will
continue to work.
Local Boy Makes BBQ
Brealon describes himself as a “homebody”
who always wanted to own a business; he
just didn’t know what it would be. He also
has talent. A 2006 graduate of Michigan
City High School, he earned a bachelor’s
degree in Vocal Music from Valparaiso
University with a concentration in the
music industry and a minor in business
administration.
After an internship and a brief stint in the
recording industry, he moved back to
Michigan City. He put his business studies
into action at Sherwin Williams, eventually
rising to Assistant Manager.
Over time, he grew restless. “I wanted to
lose weight and feel better,” he says. “So
I started getting into fitness. Working out,
dieting, meal prepping.”
Cooking with fresh ingredients got his
creativity flowing. He learned about grilling
from his dad and uncles, and smoking
from a cousin who’d been a chef. “I started
playing around with rib tips and chicken
wings, which are huge in my family,” he
says. His mother taught him to make
“mama’s baked beans” – now a Social
Que customer favorite.
In 2017, Brealon decided to test his culinary
skills at his daughter’s seventh birthday
party. “I just wanted to experiment,” he
says. “But guests were telling me, ‘Man,
you have to start selling this!’”
Not long after, he announced he’d be
making sample plates at his home.
“We sold out that first Saturday,” he
says. “I thought, well, let’s try a full
plate next time. And we sold out again.
It just took off.”
JOIN THE MOMENTUM 5

At first, he called his venture Truth
BBQ. Then one Saturday, he peeked
around the corner of his kitchen.
“People were sitting in my living room,
waiting for their orders,” he recalls.
“All different walks of life, different races.
They were having conversations. People
were coming together. I thought, this is a
social thing.”
He had a name for his business: Social
Que. Catering orders started to pour in.
Taking a leap of faith, Brealon quit Sherwin
Williams and cashed in his 401k. Initially,
he partnered with the St. Joe Club, using
its kitchen. With help from family and
friends, he bought the Black Cadillac.
The early years brought lessons in
health department regulations and city
ordinances. By 2021, Social Que was
generating a buzz across the community
and was named Small Business of the
Year by the Michigan City Chamber. In
May 2023, Brealon opened his Franklin
Street restaurant. On June 9, the Indiana
Black Expo honored Brealon with its
“I Rise” award, recognizing him as a
future leader.
But days later, his dream was in flames.
Back from the Ashes
The morning of the fire, Eric Camel,
Brealon’s friend and general manager of
the St. Joe Club, was out of town. But
when he heard the news, he contacted
a fellow club member, Ryan Miller, and
asked him to help. Ryan drove straight to
the scene.
“When Ryan saw me break down, he
jumped into action,” says Brealon. “He
will forever be my brother and friend.”
As the trailer smoldered, Ryan began
salvaging what he could, including the
precious smoker. He towed what was
left of the Black Cadillac to his property,
where he and Brealon stripped it down.
“As we were pulling it to Ryan’s, it just
poured rain,” says Brealon. “Looking back,
it was washing away what happened. It
was a new beginning.”
Then came another outpouring – this time
from the community.
Customers showed up at the restaurant.
Friends organized two large raffles with
donations from more than 130 businesses.
People gave through apps. Fundraisers
followed.
Brealon was humbled by the response.
“I remember going to one give-back,
and I couldn’t even find a parking
place,” he says. “It was so nice. It was
overwhelming.”
Insurance didn’t fully cover the trailer loss,
but the donations helped stabilize the
business. Brealon began the slow process
of rebuilding.
Community Ties
After the fire, Brealon slipped into
depression, something he didn’t fully
recognize until late 2024. These days,
he makes time to center himself. When
the restaurant is closed, he drives for
Uber, which he finds peaceful. He meets
interesting people. And he sings to
customers while he drives.
He hasn’t forgotten how the community
rallied to help him, and he believes in
paying it forward. “It’s the circle of love,
and I genuinely want to send it back out,”
he says.
Brealon plans to reinvest the same amount
of money given to him after the fire back
into the community. It’s a process he’s
already begun by sponsoring and cooking
for local athletic teams and nonprofits.
He’s always open to partnering on benefits
or give-backs.
At Social Que, generosity is built into the
space. A cork board holds receipts for
unfilled orders; anyone in need can take
one and enjoy a meal. A nearby table is
covered with cards and flyers for local
businesses, many run by entrepreneurs
and start-ups.
“We need to keep the dollar local,”
says Brealon. “We need to build a good
foundation here before venturing out
into the world for things. A lot of small
businesses could survive if we focus
on that.”
Brealon is optimistic about what the future
holds for Social Que. He is especially
hopeful about a new business deal in
the works. And one day, when he has
the funds together, he plans to purchase
another Black Cadillac.
For now, he’s where he wants to be
– serving some of the region’s best
barbeque to a diverse crowd, guided
by the mission printed on the back of
his business card: “Bridging the gap
of social classes with great BBQ and
communication.”
6 MICHIGAN CITY CHAMBER

“
A Sweet
Opportunity
WHERE SMALL BUSINESS MEETS BIG HEARTS
By Betsy Kohn
It’s 8:00 a.m., the first Tuesday of the month. Do you know
where your favorite Chamber of Commerce member is?
Try the South Bend Chocolate Café at Lighthouse Place
Premium Outlets!
On most days, the café caters to outlet mall shoppers hungry
for a bite to eat, a warm drink, or some famous South Bend
Chocolate candy. But on first Tuesdays, it transforms into the
host site for the Chamber’s popular networking event, “Coffee
Connections.”
“It started back in 2018, when [former Chamber President] Katie
Eaton approached me,” recalls owner Chrissy Ennis. “She saw
a need for something in the morning, because people were so
busy after work. I was a Chamber member, and I had coffee. Of
course I said, ‘Let’s do it!’”
What began as a dozen businesspeople gathered around a few
tables has grown into an event drawing 60 to 80 attendees.
Sponsors buy the coffee and give a brief presentation;
participants share 30-second updates in round-robin fashion.
Tables fill with business cards, flyers, and coupons.
“When I think of Coffee Connections, I think of the show
Cheers,” Chrissy says. “A place where everybody knows your
name. These connections are about more than each other’s
businesses. Whenever I need something, I think, ‘Okay, who
comes to these?’ Not only do I help them — they help me.”
Soon after Coffee Connections launched, Chrissy began to
notice new Chamber friends at the café for lunch meetings
and shopping. Grateful for the business, she took things to
another level.
8 MICHIGAN CITY CHAMBER

SMALL
BUSINESSES
ARE IN THE
COMMUNITY.
THEY UNDERSTAND
THE NEEDS.
AND THEY CAN
USE THEIR
BUSINESSES IN
WAYS THAT LARGER
CORPORATIONS
CAN’T.
“
Chrissy Ennis
South Bend Chocolate Café
Now, 20 percent of
purchases during Coffee
Connections goes to the
“spotlight organization”
chosen by Michigan City
Young Professionals, a
Chamber-affiliated group
formerly known as the
Lakefront Career Network.
Since 2021, beneficiaries
have included Dunebrook,
the Michiana Humane
Society, Nest Community
Shelter, Save the Dunes,
Family Advocates, and this
year’s recipient, The
Salvation Army of
Michigan City.
But that’s only part of the
story. These organizations –
and 23 others – have
benefited from additional
give-back events, where Chrissy donates 20 percent of sales
on a day of the nonprofit’s choosing. Altogether, the give-backs
have generated close to $22,000 for local causes. She also
gives to silent auctions, helps hospitals with fundraisers, and
donates excess food from the café to local shelters.
“Instead of wishing I could help, I actually can,” she says.
“Small businesses are in the community. They understand
the needs. And they can use their businesses in ways that
larger corporations can’t.”
Entrepreneurship runs deep for Chrissy. Her grandfather
owned Kienitz Grocery; her grandparents founded Weber
Signs, later operated by her parents. “I was doing
bookkeeping at 15, helping my mom with the accounting,”
she says.
She opened her first business at 22, a resale shop on Franklin
Street called Toddle In. She later spent more than a decade with
H&R Block, earning national recognition for customer service.
After her husband, Barry, passed away in 2010, she continued
operating their mobile home park before launching a fundraising
franchise with South Bend Chocolate – and then opening the
café. She also owns a hot dog stand at the outlet mall.
Her passion for giving, though, grew from volunteering for her
children’s activities. “I was the registrar for my son’s soccer
club, and I was always helping with fundraisers at Coolspring
School,” she says. “I saw firsthand the difference donations
made for kids.”
Something not too many people know about Chrissy is this:
She doesn’t drink coffee. It took her two years to work up the
nerve to use the cafe’s espresso machine herself, worried she
might do it wrong.
But she understands what a cup of coffee can represent: It’s an
invitation. A conversation starter. A reason to gather, and a way
to remind a business community of the impact they can have.
And that may be the sweetest treat of all.
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10 MICHIGAN CITY CHAMBER

Back row from left:
Tommy Ottersen,
Chloe Lanning,
Benjamin Walker
Front row from left:
Denise Burns (owner),
Lexie Goodwin,
Abby Smith
Mixologists
to theRescue
AT LEEDS PUBLIC HOUSE, CRAFT COCKTAILS COME WITH A CHARITABLE TWIST
By Betsy Kohn
Leeds Public House (401 Franklin) is known for its
innovative, contemporary menu built around locally
sourced ingredients – and for giving customers a simple
way to help a nonprofit: ordering a drink.
Through its “Donations for Libations” program, Leeds creates a
specialty cocktail or mocktail for a charity each month, donating
$2 per beverage sold. Every third Thursday, the restaurant invites
the nonprofit to set up a station in the dining room to raise
awareness. On those evenings, 50 percent of the proceeds from
each featured drink are donated.
Creative cocktail names are part of the fun. Last year’s offerings
included Not Your Mon Cheri, Garden Party, Matcha Ma’am,
Scarlet Letter, Ponche Navideno, Back to the Bourbs, Rhubarbie
Girl, Electric Love, Soul Ties, Dune’n It Well, and Snow on
the Beach.
The drinks are designed by Abby Smith, the manager
of Leeds Public House, in collaboration with the bar
team: Tommy Ottersen, Lexie Goodwin, Chloe Lanning,
and Ben Walker. Sometimes the cocktails are inspired by the
featured nonprofit; other times, they offer a seasonal twist or a
fresh take on something that’s trending.
“Since we craft our cocktails in-house, we prefer not to
plan too far ahead, to ensure we can source fresh, local
ingredients each month,” says Smith. “We do bring back a
few fan favorites annually.”
Those favorites include Leeds’ Midnight Margarita, offered every
October, and February’s Stupid Cupid, which features blanco
tequila, house-made grapefruit cordial, house-made sumac
syrup, lime juice, and bergamot liqueur.
The program, part of Leeds’ broader “Project Heart” initiative
to support the community, generates $800 to $3,000 monthly,
depending on the season. In 2026, recipient organizations will
include The ACLU of Indiana, the NWI chapter of the National
Organization for Women, Just Transition NWI, StRides Against
Suicide & Overdose, Save the Dunes, Meals on Wheels of
La Porte County, and Michigan City Pride.
“We aim to support organizations in urgent need of funding,
whether due to emergencies, budget cuts, or other challenges,”
says Smith. “We also prioritize nonprofits that align with our
values and culture here at Leeds.”
Groups interested in joining the waitlist for future libation
donations can contact asmith@leedspublichouse.com with
information about their mission.
Cheers to Charity!
JOIN THE MOMENTUM 11

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12 MICHIGAN CITY CHAMBER

Chain
Reaction
KEVIN AND ELIZABETH BROWN
WANT LOCAL SUPPORT TO GO VIRAL
By Betsy Kohn
It began in 2020, with COVID.
As the early days of the pandemic stretched into weeks
and months, Michigan City residents found themselves
navigating shuttered businesses, closed schools, and a
world where social distancing replaced time with friends.
Kevin and Elizabeth Brown, owners of Reprographic Arts, wanted
to lift the community’s spirits. They began circulating yard signs
and banners proclaiming, “MICHIGAN CITY STRONG.”
Soon, Michigan City Strong was everywhere – from shop
windows to stickers to T-shirts. The three simple words instilled
hope and confidence that the community would not only survive,
but thrive.
Kevin and Elizabeth are determined to keep that spirit alive for
Michigan City and its neighboring communities.
“People tend to forget about all those hard times,” says
Kevin. “They aren’t looking out for one another as much.
But we never stopped.”
The Local Effect
On the heels of Michigan City Strong, Reprographic Arts shifted
to a “Shop Local” slogan, circulating swag that encouraged
support for area businesses. This year, they unveiled a new
campaign: “The Local Effect.”
Local Effect materials feature the Michigan City lighthouse on
a field of vibrant blue, its beacon shining brightly above these
words: The Local Effect is a positive chain reaction that happens
when we all choose to support our local community.
Kevin explains that the message goes beyond shopping
locally. “There’s much more to supporting our community
than shopping,” he says. “And our community isn’t just
Michigan City. It’s also La Porte and Harbor Country. We have
a lot of nonprofits. We have artists, we have musicians, we
have places to eat, places to stay, we have our schools.
When we support each other, when we get to know each
other, we build up this area together.”
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A LIFELONG
JOURNEY
Of the many charities Kevin Brown
supports, those serving individuals in
recovery from alcohol and substance
abuse are closest to his heart.
In 2022, he was deeply honored to chair
the Salvation Army of Michigan City’s
Christmas Campaign. Thirty years earlier,
after a tour of duty in the Navy, Kevin had
turned to the organization for help while
living in the San Fernando Valley and
facing hard times. The Salvation Army
there provided recovery and spiritual
resources and helped him secure a job.
A year later, he met Elizabeth.
“I owe the Salvation Army a debt of
gratitude I can never repay,” he says.
Kevin remains a longtime sponsor and
advocate for people in recovery and has
coordinated an event called “Day of the
Dinosaurs” for more than 20 years.
The daylong gathering, held in Portage,
features speakers who have been in
recovery for 30 years or more. Those
seeking support — and those offering
it — come together for food, fellowship,
and connection, many forming bonds that
last a lifetime.
CaSandra DeVries, who heads up customer service for
Reprographic Arts, says The Local Effect is gaining momentum.
“It’s fun to take a campaign like this and put it on stickers, signs,
banners, shirts, bags, all of the above,” she says. “It shows
customers what we can do, but it gives them something they
might cherish more than just our logo on a sample.”
Beyond Blueprints
Reprographic Arts has deep roots in Michigan City. Kevin’s father,
Fred Brown, founded the company in 1970 at 201 West 2nd street,
setting up a small “reprographic” shop that produced blueprints
using an ammonia-based process. “Pops was a salesman for
Fanning Howey architects next door,” says Kevin. “They told
him they’d punch a hole in the wall if he wanted to bring in some
machines to start doing all of their prints.”
By 1995, the shop moved to a larger space on Franklin Street.
Kevin and Elizabeth joined the team two years later, transitioning
the company to digital printing. Over the next two decades,
Reprographic Arts expanded its offerings to include signs,
banners, decals, apparel, and more.
Displaced by South Shore construction in 2017, the business
moved to its current home at 2824 Michigan Boulevard. “It was
good timing for us,” says Kevin. “We had outgrown the place. We
were decorating vehicles in the alley!”
With the help of an economic development grant, Kevin and Elizabeth doubled
the company’s footprint at the new location, adding laser engraving, sublimation
printing, and embroidery machines. They also grew from four to nine employees.
This spring, Reprographic Arts will add on again, expanding to 6,500
square feet.
A Soft Heart
None of it would be possible, the Browns say, without longtime constructionindustry
clients such as Fanning Howey, The Skillman Corporation, Larson-
Danielson, and Tonn and Blank. Today, their customer base also includes a
wide range of walk-in customers seeking apparel, signage, and imprinted items.
Grateful for the support, Kevin and Elizabeth are intentional about giving back.
They’ve quietly contributed to a long list of causes, events, and charities over
the years.
“Even the small things they do are really cool,” says CaSandra. “Elizabeth goes
to the farmer’s market every week in the summer. She’s quiet about it, but she
always spends her money on those kinds of things. Kevin and Elizabeth don’t
want to name all of the places they help, but they definitely go out of their way
to do so. They’re numerous.”
Both Elizabeth and CaSandra describe Kevin as a known “softie” who at times
has to be reined in when offering deep discounts to churches and organizations.
“They know. I’m soft,” he laughs. “Well, we don’t mind helping. Yeah, even if it’s
a little, it makes a difference, right? When you give like that, it comes back to
you. We’re all intertwined in one way or the other.”
It’s the Local Effect.
14 MICHIGAN CITY CHAMBER

KAZIDELICIOUS CREATIONS
Her “day job” is overseeing customer service for Reprographic Arts. Beyond the office,
CaSandra DeVries is the creative force behind “Kazidelicious Creations.”
“I’m an abstract artist and I didn’t go to college for it, so I didn’t always feel like I knew
what I wanted to do with it,” she says.
She hosted “paint parties,” but felt conflicted when some parents couldn’t afford the
experience. As a regular at art shows and Michigan City events, inspiration struck. “I felt
like we needed a free craft tent at these events,” she says. “As a kid, that was something
I really enjoyed. My mom could just put me in there and I’d stay all day.”
She began with a kids’ craft tent at the 2024 Zombie FEST. Reprographic Arts supplied
her with scraps from signage and magnets, which she supplemented with items from her
own craft closet. “I loved that I could take those scraps and do crafts with the kids. They
went nuts for it!”
Kazidelicious Creations is now a fixture at Michigan City special events such as
the Singing Sands festival and Oktoberfest, and CaSandra hosts monthly crafting
experiences for the Parks Department. Additional sponsors have joined Reprographic
Arts in supporting the effort.
“We’re excited that employees like CaSandra can volunteer their time and realize their
creative potential,” says Kevin Brown.
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16 MICHIGAN CITY CHAMBER

THE SPORTS
MINDSET BEHIND
ARNETT CONSTRUCTION’S
BUSINESS SUCCESS
A
Playbook for
IMPACT
By Betsy Kohn
Derrick Arnett started his
company in 1996, the year he
graduated from La Porte High
School. He loved working with
his hands – almost as much as he loved
playing football.
That summer, his neighbors, Jim and Pearl
McMann, hired him to put on a roof. “I
put a compressor, nail gun, and ladder on
a credit card, and took the money that I
made and paid it off,” he says.
Next, his football coach, Bob Seavers,
hired him to install a tile floor. Derrick put a
tile saw on his credit card, did the job, and
paid it off.
“I think a lot of people were able to
trust me early on because of my sports
affiliation,” he says. “The dedication and
discipline, getting up early and working
late. They saw that and took a chance on
me. And I’m so thankful they did, because
we haven’t been without work since.”
Today, Arnett Construction and Roofing
operates crews in Indiana, Michigan,
Kentucky, and Ohio. The company
specializes in residential siding, roofing,
and gutter projects, as well as large-scale
commercial construction. This summer,
Arnett will open a new facility in Michigan
City on Route 20, across from the Sugar
Bowl restaurant.
Sports continue to shape the company
culture. Many of Arnett’s 25 full-time
PUT ME IN, COACH
Derrick Arnett coached youth football in La Porte for a decade, resulting in two national
championship teams. Daughter Grace Arnett currently teaches baseball and softball
lessons at Triple Crown Baseball and Softball Academy in Valparaiso.
employees are
former athletes,
coaches, or avid sports fans. Derrick’s
daughter, Grace Arnett — who oversees
Operations and Public Relations —
attended Prairie State College in Illinois on
a softball scholarship. There, she met her
husband, Pedro, a baseball player who
now works in sales for Arnett Construction.
“People get sick of me using sports
analogies,” laughs Derrick. “But I feel so
strongly about what sports can do for
children if it’s taught right. It teaches them
lessons that carry through to help them
as adults. If you’re on time, you’re late. Be
accountable. Always over-deliver. Learn
how to accept a loss.”
Over the years, the Arnetts have
sponsored numerous local athletic teams.
They also support the Indiana National
Softball Association’s annual hall of fame
dinner and game-day home runs.
This year, athletics became a centerpiece
of the company’s marketing strategy.
Arnett Construction signed four University
of Notre Dame football players to an NIL
deal, allowing the company to use their
name, image, and likeness.
Now, billboards and promotional materials
feature Drayk Bown, a former standout at
Andrean High School, and his teammates
Jordan Faison, Luke Talich, and Cooper
Flanagan – a trio known collectively as the
“Gridiron Group.” The three also needed
a new roof on their house, which became
part of the endorsement agreement.
“It was a perfect fit,” says Grace. “All four
of them are good, upstanding people,
doing extra at Notre Dame. For us, it was a
way to acknowledge and support them and
also to appeal to football fans.”
Community involvement is equally
central to the company’s mission. Arnett
Construction is a premier sponsor for many
Michigan City special events, including
the annual Easter Egg Hunt, parades, and
festivals. The company even provided a
decorated vehicle for last year’s Patriotic
Parade Grand Marshal, Braden Fiske, a
Michigan City High School graduate now
playing for the Los Angeles Rams.
But the company’s longest-running
partnership – and the one its leaders
are most proud of – is with Habitat for
Humanity. Arnett Construction is currently
building five homes in La Porte for the
organization, donating all labor and roofing
materials.
Habitat’s emphasis on affordability through
sweat equity mirrors the Arnett philosophy.
“Literally, you could be down and out,”
says Derrick. “Everybody in the whole
stadium says you’re done, and next thing
you know, you’re holding up the trophy.”
JOIN THE MOMENTUM 17

DID YOU KNOW?
In 2016, the YMCA’s Elston branch named
its pool the “Tucker-Babcock Pool,” honoring
LaVora Tucker alongside fellow swimming legend
Jackie Babcock.
A mural next to the pool was painted by
Michigan City High School art students.
Growing a
By Betsy Kohn
On any given day at Nature’s
Cupboard, customers fill water
jugs at the filtration machine,
linger over fresh soup at the
deli, or chat in the aisles about
supplements and organic produce. It feels
less like a store and more like a gathering
place — exactly what LaVora Tucker
intended when she opened its doors
in 1980.
LaVora didn’t know much about retail —
or health food — back then. She knew
swimming.
“She was the pool director at Rogers High
School for 22 years,” says her daughter,
Mylese Tucker, who now owns the fullservice
natural food business her mother
founded. “There are five girls in my family,
and all of us worked at the pool. She taught
so many people how to swim.”
It was LaVora’s friend, Evelyn Robertson,
who approached her about starting a
business together. Evelyn had previously
owned a health food store called The
Pantry, which closed after her divorce. She
wanted to try again, but she needed capital.
Intrigued by the idea of a business
centered on healthy living, Lavora
Legacy
AT NATURE’S CUPBOARD, MYLESE TUCKER
HONORS HER MOTHER’S VISION FOR HEALTHY LIVING
secured a handshake loan, and the
duo opened Nature’s Cupboard in
Evergreen Plaza.
Then, two years later, Evelyn moved
to Florida.
“My mom kept plugging away,” says
Mylese. “She went to every trade show
and seminar she could to learn more,
and the business kept growing. It was
such a new, fresh concept. If people
wanted something healthy, this was the
only place in town to get it.”
As the industry evolved, LaVora became
a fierce advocate for independent natural
food retailers. She lobbied in Washington
and supported the Dietary Supplement
Health and Education Act of 1994,
legislation that allowed small stores —
not just pharmacies — to sell vitamins
and supplements. Mylese remembers
her mother organizing a “milk spill” in the
Evergreen parking lot to protest the use of
the synthetic dairy hormone rBST.
“She and Evelyn started something in
Michigan City that nobody else was
thinking about back then,” Mylese says.
“They were ahead of their time.”
Mylese didn’t originally plan to join the
family business. A German major at Purdue,
she worked as a flight attendant for Pan
Am, where she met her husband, Bruce
Reyes. But in the early 1990s, as they
started a family, her priorities began to
shift. She returned home to work with her
mother, motivated by a desire to provide
healthy food for her children. “I would never
have chosen this for my path,” she says.
“But my mom’s passion turned into mine.”
Together, LaVora and Mylese grew
Nature’s Cupboard into the thriving
business it is today.
Over time, the store offered a wider
selection of natural foods. In 2006, the
Tuckers joined the Independent Natural
Food Retailers Association, a purchasing
co-op that allowed them to keep prices
competitive. Today, the shelves feature
locally sourced organic produce and meats,
with an increasing focus on regenerative
farming practices. Customer favorites
include the water filtration machine and the
deli, which serves fresh sandwiches, soups,
and salads. A juice bar – Mylese’s dream –
was also added.
Nature’s Cupboard now has two additional
stores, in Chesterton and La Porte, and
employs 20 people. It was named the Small
Business of the Year by the Michigan City
Chamber in 2025.
LaVora Tucker passed away in 2017, two
years after the Michigan City store moved
from its original location to its current,
larger home in the Dunes Plaza. A photo of
Mylese and her mother hangs just inside
the front entrance — a daily reminder of the
woman who started it all: The swimming
legend, the businesswoman, the advocate.
“She created a community around this
store,” says Mylese. “This is her legacy.”
18 MICHIGAN CITY CHAMBER

New Members
Please join us in welcoming the newest members of the Michigan City
Chamber. These members joined since our last issue of MC Momentum.
Applied Innovation
5555 Glenwood Hills Pkwy SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
616-971-0113
Appliedinnovation.com
Computer, Telephone &
IT Sales & Services
Bonnie Bee Flowers
4504 N Wozniak Rd, Unit B
Michigan City, IN 46360
708-653-1304
Bonniebeeflowers.com
Florist – Special Events
Diamente Coaching
OS LLC
Michigan City, IN
219-229-2420
Consultants
E Marie Project Inc.
La Porte, IN
219-237-9216
Emarieproject.org
Non-profits, Clubs,
Organizations & Associations
The FIRM
2515 McCool Rd
Portage, IN 46368
844-772-4872
Thefirm.claims
Construction & Development
Sales & Services
Insurance Companies
Furniture Werks, Inc.
4980 W US 20
Michigan City, IN 46360
219-872-1784
furniturewerks.com
Furniture Sales, Repairs
& Refinishing
Guaranteed Rate/The
Danikowski Team
717 Ship St
St. Joseph, MI 49085
630-707-7241
Rate.com/loan-officers/
regina-danikowski-560041
Banking & Financial Institutions
Hoosier Coho Club
PO Box 352
Michigan City, IN 46361
219-406-5773
Hoosiercohoclub.org
Non-profits, Clubs,
Organizations & Associations
It’s Oksana, LLC
1804 Franklin St
Michigan City, IN 46360
773-387-6960
Itsoksanadrapery.com
Interior Design Sales
and Services
Jeff McSpaden and
Associates
(Independent Aflac Agent)
Chesterton, IN
630-404-1094
Aflac.com
Insurance Companies
Larson Insurance Agency
1595 E 85th Ave
Merrillville, IN 46410
219-472-0822
Insurance Companies
Paris House of Bridal
728 Franklin St
Michigan City, IN 46360
219-874-7786
Parishouseofbridal.com
Retail & Department Stores
PBS
111 ½ W Joliet St
Crown Point, IN 46307
855-672-4010
PBSdesignbuild.com
Construction & Development
Sales & Services
Phoenix Construction, LLC
401 E Kilbourn Ave, Ste 201
Milwaukee, WI 53202
414-283-2600
Phoenixconstruction.us
Construction & Development
Sales & Services
Revolution Mortgage
192 Bracken Pkwy
Hobart, IN 46342
219-928-3426
Revolutionmortgage.com
Banking & Financial Institutions
The William Everett Group
35 E Wacker Dr, Ste 3100
Chicago, IL 60601
773-704-5978
Wegrp.com
Consultants
Marketing Technology &
Public Relations Services
INTERESTED IN JOINING THE CHAMBER?
For more information, contact Monica Komasinski:
219-874-6221 or monica@mcachamber.com
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JOIN THE MOMENTUM 19

NON-PROFIT FOCUS
La Porte County Public Library
PLAY GROW READ
laportelibrary.org
(219) 362-6156
Enriching the lives of people & pets
GIVE A SHELTER PET A
SECOND CHANCE!
722 IN Hwy 212 | Michigan City
219-872-4499
pets@michianapets.org
219.778.2585 | sharefoundation.org
PO Box 400 Rolling Prairie, IN 46371
FRI, APR 17 | 10-11AM
for these events being held by the dedicated Non-Profit Members
of the Michigan City Chamber during April, May and June, 2026.
Non-Profits can submit your events for listings in future
publications by contacting the Chamber at 219-874-6221.
ONGOING EVENTS
HealthLinc
Yoga Baby Circle
For babies ages 2–12 months
HealthLinc Community Room
200 Alfred St, Michigan City
healthlincchc.org
Please bring a yoga mat, blanket,
or towel
TUE, APR 21 | 4-6 PM
44th Lubeznik Art Festival
ARTIST APPLICATIONS
NOW OPEN
Calling all artists! Applications are open
through April 2, 2026. Apply Here:
zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=13971
Artists can connect with 3,000+ festival
visitors, exhibit alongside 80+ talented
artists and compete for up to $3,000
in cash prizes! Categories include
wearable art, photography, 2D, fine craft,
sculptural, jewelry, Enjoy a lively vibrant
festival atmosphere with live demos,
family activities, food vendors and indoor
exhibitions. Artists will be notified of
their acceptance by May 11, 2026.
Anam Cara
BRAIN INJURY SUPPORT
GROUP
Meets 1st Wednesday of each month, 1PM
4298 E 1000 North, La Porte
www.anamcarastables.org
219-207-7222
Anam Cara
MINDFUL MOVEMENT -
YOGA FOR HEALING
GENTLE YOGA
Mondays and Thursdays, 9AM
4298 E 1000 North, La Porte
www.anamcarastables.org
219-207-7222
HealthLinc
Collaborative event with Dunebrook
TotLinc (No-Cost)
2nd Friday of each month, 9-11AM
HealthLinc Community Room
200 Alfred St, Michigan City
healthlincchc.org
A casual, drop-in play date for children
ages 0–5 and their caregivers
HealthLinc
AUTISM AWARENESS
EVENT
HealthLinc Community Room
200 Alfred St, Michigan City
healthlincchc.org
THU, APR 30 | 6 PM
La Porte County Public Library
An Evening with
Marie Benedict,
New York Times and USA Today
bestselling author
Purdue Northwest - Westville Campus
Registration is required for this event.
laportelibrary.org/event/evening-mariebenedict-29136
THU, MAY 14 | 4-6 PM
HealthLinc
PIZZA AND PAINT
HealthLinc Community Room
200 Alfred St, Michigan City
healthlincchc.org
20 MICHIGAN CITY CHAMBER

SUN, MAY 17 | 12-4 PM
Michiana Humane Society
PETS & POURS
Friendship Botanic Gardens
2055 E US Hwy 12, Michigan City
Tickets coming soon! michianapets.org
A dog and family-friendly fundraiser
featuring a dog-walking course through
Friendship Botanic Garden’s beautiful 100+
acres of hiking trails and gardens. Guests
will enjoy live music, plus food, drink and
pet-themed vendors. Proceeds support
Michiana Humane Society and fund the
care of almost 1,000 homeless pets that
MHS will care for this year.
SAT, MAY 30 | 1 PM
La Porte County Public Library
AMERICA @ 250:
LA PORTE COUNTY
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Main Library, 904 Indiana Ave, La Porte
laportelibrary.org
10 members of the La Porte County
Symphony Orchestra bring the story of our
nation to life in this musical performance.
FRI, JUN 12 | 6:30 PM
La Porte County Public Library
LIGHTS OUT ON
THE LAWN
Main Library, 904 Indiana Ave, La Porte
laportelibrary.org
Your favorite stories come to life when the
lights go out at the Library.
FRIDAY, JUNE 19
HealthLinc
Yoga Baby Circle
For babies ages 2–12 months
HealthLinc Community Room
200 Alfred St, Michigan City
healthlincchc.org
Please bring a yoga mat, blanket, or towel
SAT, JUN 27 | 5:30 PM
Lubeznik Center for the Arts
ARTBASH IN
WONDERLAND 2026
The Great Hall at
Purdue University - Westville
Tickets and sponsorships available now:
lubeznikcenter.networkforgood.com/
events/94738-2026-artbash-gala
Don your finest Wonderland-inspired
attire and join LCA as we tumble down the
rabbit hole for a wonderful evening. Enjoy
an open bar, a marvelous dinner and silent
and live auctions - all benefiting LCA’s
mission to connect our diverse community
through contemporary art.
DONATE | ADOPT | VOLUNTEER | SUPPORT TNR
HELP US MAKE A
PAWS-ITIVE
DIFFERENCE
Together we can create a safer world for
cats — and a kinder one for people too!
At Fried’s Cat Shelter, compassion meets
action. As a 501 (c)(3) no-kill shelter
and TNR advocate, we’re dedicated to
improving the lives of both companion
and community cats. Through rescue,
spay/neuter and education, we make every
life count—one cat or colony at a time.
Scan to
donate now
FRIED’S
CAT
SHELTER
509 Indiana Hwy 212 • Michigan City
219-874-6932 • friedscatshelter.org
Follow us E Q
JOIN THE MOMENTUM 21

Momentum Matters
INSIGHTS FROM THE CHAMBER
Driving
By Kurt Gillins
President, Michigan City Chamber
Excellence
in MC
It’s always great to see a Michigan City company earn national
recognition, and that’s exactly what happened with Williams
Dedicated.
The company was recently named to the 2026 Best Fleets to Drive
For list by CarriersEdge, a leading provider of online driver training
for the trucking industry. Each year, CarriersEdge selects just 20
companies across North America for the honor following a highly
competitive evaluation process.
Located at 1000 W. U.S. 20, Williams Dedicated operates
throughout the Midwest and employs more than 200 drivers,
mechanics, and office staff across the company. About 120 of
those team members work right here in Michigan City.
For company leadership, the award is really about the people
behind the scenes who make the operation run.
“Being named a Best Fleet to Drive For in North America is a
testament to our incredibly dedicated staff,” said Nate Fisher, Chief
Operating Officer for Williams Dedicated. “Our employees are the
backbone of our operation and work extremely hard behind the
scenes to pave the way for our first-class roster of drivers.”
To qualify for the Best Fleets program, trucking companies must
first be nominated by a company driver or owner-operator currently
working with them. From there, fleets are evaluated on a wide
range of criteria, including compensation and benefits, professional
development opportunities, HR strategies, operations, and worklife
balance. Driver surveys are also conducted to gather direct
feedback from those behind the wheel.
For Michigan City, the recognition highlights the kind of businesses
that help keep our local economy moving, pun intended. Williams
Dedicated continues to grow its reputation in the logistics industry
while staying rooted in the community it calls home.
Congratulations to the entire team at Williams Dedicated on this
well-deserved recognition. It’s an achievement both the company
and the Michigan City community can celebrate.
22 MICHIGAN CITY CHAMBER

Singing Sands Festival
Experience the magic of creativity as master sculptors, pros, and semi-pros showcase their
incredible talents in an awe-inspiring sand sculpting contest.
JULY 17-19, 2026
Washington Park | Michigan City, IN
JOIN US FOR A WEEKEND OF SUN, SAND, FUN & GOOD VIBES
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: Dig In and Join the Amateur Sand Sculpting Contest
Kids Fun Zone | Speed Sculpting Demonstrations | Craft & Merchandise Vendors
Food Trucks | Beer Garden & Beach Bars | Live Music | And More!
PRESENTED BY
Contact ewilliams@emichigancity.com for event sponsorship & vendor opportunities.
Follow us for more events & details
@MichiganCitySpecialEvents