SISTER LAKES — For businesses in Sister Lakes, the crowds of customers eventually start to shift after Labor Day. As some businesses shorten their hours or close up shop all together, some business owners continue to operate year-round, braving the winter and keeping their doors wide open to locals.

For Sweet Thangs Bakery and Gift Shop, 65944 County Road 342, Dowagiac, the locals and — if there is snow, snowmobilers — are what keep the business running throughout the off season.

Elaine Johnson, the owner of Sweet Thangs Bakery and Gift Shop, started the business in 2014 as a bakery that sold solely donuts.

Johnson, who is from South Haven, has worked in the restaurant industry all her life.

“When we got the opportunity [to open], we just thought we’d try it,” Johnson said. “So far, so good. I love it here.”

As Johnson continued to run her bakery, she saw the need to expand and add menu items to meet the needs of a larger assortment of both locals and visitors to the Sister Lakes area. In 2016, Johnson added a café to the bakery, to serve food. In 2017, Johnson started selling pizza. Now, her newest menu items to keep people coming through the door are sub sandwiches and soft serve ice cream. After the summer season ends, almost everything at Sweet Thangs Bakery and Gift Shop stays the same.

“The only thing we change is our hours,” Johnson said. “We cut back to two nights a week. Other than that, everything is the same.”

Johnson said during the off season, she gets about half of the customer base she would in the summer months. Despite the shift, Johnson’s goals for her business remain the same during the less busy months.

“As always to boost our sales and accommodate our customers,” she said.

Down the road, Studio 204 Salon, has been in the same location for 18 years. With switches in ownership, the salon has consistently stayed open year-round in Sister Lakes.

As employees at the salon are their own bosses, they individually set their own hours, said receptionist Michelle Hassle.

“Some of our hairstylists have taken Tuesdays off that they used to work over the summer,” Hassle said. “[Hairstylists] are pretty much always here for their clients, so many of them will still come in on those days.”

With the salon’s location in the heart of Sister Lakes, Hassle said the salon had many vacation and Illinois clients this summer and will continue to get those clients throughout the fall and winter months.

“They still come back to their cottages,” Hassle said. “They still come up in the winter and enjoy ice fishing and our local watering holes. Some are just checking on their cottages. It’s not fast paced, but it’s still going.”

Studio 204 Salon also has a base of local clients who help support the business year-round, Hassle said.

“Locals are happy now because they can get in,” she said.