Micro-Enterprises

Micro-Enterprises help people understand how to own their own business by allowing them to gain valuable knowledge and skills on how to become successful through first hand experiences.  The Arc helps the people we serve with their business by helping them get started and by providing bookkeeping support.  If you are interested in owning your own Micro-Enterprise, you can contact The Arc at 631-4439.  Below are the Micro-Enterprises that The Arc currently helps.

Bean Canteen
The Bean Canteen is located in the lobby of the medical offices at 555 Wackerly. It has been open for about two years, under the ownership of Ingrid Schwartz. She would be delighted to greet you in the morning if you are in the building. Ingrid has her "regulars" and she looks forward to serving them daily. The Bean Canteen is open Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m., offering a variety of breakfast and lunch snacks, beverages, and most importantly, a good cup of coffee. If you are out and about in the community, please stop by, as Ingrid would love to sell you one of her many treats.  

Ben’s Paper Shredding
Ben Dyste is the proud owner of Ben’s Paper Shredding.  Ben has owned his own business for about 5 years now.  He owns two paper shredders and is a very hard worker.  He travels to different businesses to shred for them and does some shredding jobs at home as well.  If you would like to hire Ben for a shredding job, you can contact his business contact: Ann @ 631-1220.

Center Court Café
The Center Court café is located upstairs in the Midland Community Center.  Sharon Hoover and Nate Downing are the proud co-owners.  They have been in business for several years now and they sell items such as popcorn, pizza, nachos, pretzels, candy and drinks.  Their hours are 11-7pm Monday-Friday.  They also do off-site events in the summer including Tunes by Tridge.  The next time you are at the Community Center, stop by the Center Court Café for some yummy popcorn and snacks!

Connections for our World
Colleen Dolan is the owner of Connections for Our World. She travels to conferences and gatherings related to disabilities to display her product line of inclusion related books, posters, etc. She has a web site that also offers her line of materials: www.connectionsforourworld.com.

Gerald's Frozen Treats
Gerald Lorenz will tell you that he once sold ice cream when he was a young boy. Now that he is retired he enjoys being in the community owning his own micro-enterprise, bringing him back to what he enjoyed as a youth. Gerald's Frozen Treats is in operation during the summer months, serving the greatest frozen treats. Gerald purchased his cart just over a year ago, and operates in downtown Midland. You will find Gerald at all of the special events, and weekly at Tunes by the Tridge on Thursday nights at 7:00 p.m.

Jeff's Jiffy Delivery Service
Jeff's Jiffy Delivery Service is owned and operated by Jeff Saunders.  Jeff's dream was to have a business that involved riding in a car.  He started his delivery business, but the work was not steady, until he was able to meet a need.  The need developed shortly after Midland/Gladwin CMH merged with other sites to become Community Mental Health for Central Michigan, with 6 counties total. There was a need to efficiently transport mail and packages between the sites, so Jeff's Jiffy Delivery Service came to the rescue!  Two days a week, Jeff and a member of his staff travel from Midland to Gladwin, Mt. Pleasant, Clare, Reed City and Harrison before returning to Midland.  Jeff enjoys the opportunity to ride in the car and eat out, as well as getting to know the people in the other CMH offices.  CMH enjoys the dependability and convenience of having Jeff's Jiffy Delivery Service get their mail and packages where they need to be in a timely fashion - a win-win.

Refreshments by Arts
Refreshments by Arts opened in November 2009.  Keith Arts is the owner, he is responsible for ordering from Coke, stocking the Coke products, and accountable for getting his money in the bank so he can replenish his machine.  Keith is enjoying his business and looks forward to you stopping by!   Stop by 1509 Washington Street and enjoy a cold drink from Keith's Coke cooler!