Welcome to our weekly feature – Village People of the Week!
Each week we feature a person, couple, or family that lives in the Village. If you are interested in being featured or if you want to nominate someone, click here!
This week’s feature is Elizabeth Kochmanski! Read on to learn more about Elizabeth and her family and why they make the Village of Spring Lake home.
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
My husband and I moved to the Village in 2017 and immediately fell in love with the old homes and beaches. We had our son in 2020 and now enjoy all the family-friendly activities like the bike path, playgrounds, egg hunts, and SL Sparkle. To learn more about the Village, I joined the Historic Commission, and am now the Chair. My job is in science communication and education – I work at Michigan State University and help scientists share their research with the public and students!
How long have you lived in the Village?
5 years
What brought you to live in the Village?
I went to graduate school in Michigan, and my husband is from the state originally. We lived in Denver for a time, and when we decided to move back we knew we wanted to live near the lake. Once we started house hunting we found our dream home here in the Village!
What are your hobbies?
I love hiking in the local parks or walking on the bike path, kayaking in the lake, taking my son to the playground or beaches, and hunting for/polishing Petoskey stones (when we have time to go up North).
What are your favorite Village businesses and why?
Since we moved here it has been exciting to see so many new businesses open up. We love Finn’s for dinner, Grand Finale’s chicken salad, takeout Thai from Wok n’ Roll, and Snap Fitness for our gym. We of course miss 7 Steps Up and Fuel, but are excited to see what new businesses come to the Village soon!
What is your favorite hidden gem in the Village?
Pak Mail is super convenient and the staff there is above and beyond friendly and helpful. Also, Clock Doctors is great when you need a new watch battery!
Where is your favorite place to spend time in the Village?
We spend a lot of time wandering the bike path, walking downtown, or visiting the playground or beach.
What do you like most about living in the Village?
I have a list! I love the old homes and architecture downtown, the access to nature and places to spend time outdoors, the farmers market, the proximity to Lake Michigan and other coastal towns, and all of my neighbors who I have gotten to know over the past few years!
Thanks again to Elizabeth and her family for sharing a little bit about their Village of Spring Lake story with us!
If you are interested in being featured or if you’d like to nominate someone, click here!
