Essence on Main provides downtown Clarkston with a healthy and fresh alternative for the new year with organic food, Michigan made products, and unique table-top items.
‘We really are a gourmet specialty store,? said co-owner Joan Donnay. ‘But we like to put the emphasis on local and organic products.?
They also put an emphasis on your health by educating and providing information towards your health. They have two employees educated in nutrition to help point customers in the right direction, either they are changing their eating habits or looking for certain foods due to allergies.
Essence on Main carries anything that is manufactured in Michigan. They found distributors through the magazine edible Wow and searched for products on their own.
They are gaining ground on local products and get more in the store all of the time.
‘They come in and see what we are and ask if we will carry their product,? said Donnay.
They bake bread and make organic-based salads, soups, vegetarian lasagnas, organic treats like chocolate cookies and ginger snaps every day.
‘Someone referred to us as a food boutique, which is fitting. We have a little bit of everything,? said Donnay.
Besides food, Essence on Main carries body care products, unique gifts and items for the home.
‘It’s a great place to browse,? said Morgan. ‘We focus on table top items, unique food products. We want to encourage browsing.?
When Donnay graduated from Schoolcraft College after studying culinary, she wanted to do something with her degree.
‘One of my mentors suggested a specialty store.?
At the time, the store was in a different location, but Donnay chose Clarkston because her and her family have been in the area for 22 years, living just down the road in Brandon Township and enjoyed the community.
‘My husband encouraged me to take this space and renovate it and use it in that way,? said Donnay. ‘I knew I wanted classes, food, and health. We also wanted to incorporate table top items. Basically anything I would want to use in my home for entertainment purposes I wanted to be used in the store.?
Donnay asked her sister, Theo Morgan to be a part of it.
The family set to work and restored the building to its orginal glory from exposing brick walls to the wood floor.
‘We did a lot of demolition and renovation,? said Donnay. ‘What I wanted to do was go to what it used to be and reclaim some of the history. It’s a beautiful downtown with the tree line streets. It has a rich history and we wanted to be able to bring it back. It gives me a special thrill to see it and it excites other people, too.?
‘We do love to hear when it was a pharmacy,? said Morgan.
‘It’s unique,? said Donnay. ‘It has a lively downtown. No one has the heart like Clarkston does. It’s a great community. Everyone has been warm and welcoming.
Essence on Main took part of Farmer’s Market during the summer and won Healthiest Menu at the Taste of Clarkston.
They offer two cooking classes a month. This month’s theme is Soup’s On.
‘It is perfect for the month of January with hearty, healthy soups,? said co-owner Theo Morgan. ‘Everyone focuses on being healthy. It’s good for your body and good for yourself.?
‘The interest has been building,? said Donnay. ‘We are starting out slow because we want to accomodate the people who were interested.?
Classes are advertised through walk-ins, newletters and postcards. Though a lot of past students have come back with their friends.
Essence on Main is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed on Sunday to take time with their family and to work on new ideas for the store and to have work done on the store.
They are located in Downtown Clarkston at 4 S Main Street.