CEDAR - Folks packed into the Sugarfoot Saloon Saturday to get a glimpse of the woman they hope will be the savior of Sugar Loaf. As champagne and cake were served, Kate Wickstrom, who closed on a deal to purchase the resort last month, took questions from an eager crowd.
When will Sugar Loaf start hiring employees? Will she get a liquor license? Will she hire locals? Will she change the name? Soon; an application has been filed; yes; and no, Wickstrom said Saturday, standing atop a bar in a room so filled with people it was difficult to move.
One guest asked the question that seemed to be on the top of everyone's mind - "On a scale of one to 10, how would you rate the certainty of skiing returning to Sugar Loaf?" "The certainty of it?" Wickstrom said, pausing for a moment. "Ten," she said finally, causing the room to erupt in applause.
Many expressed optimism that Wickstrom, a Leelanau County native, could bring a bright future to a resort that has in the recent past been so disappointing, shuttered since it's previous owner closed it amid financial troubles in 2000. "It's been a strong part of this area for so long, when the place shut down it was like a relative died," said Karl Kitchen, who worked at Sugar Loaf for eight years. Kitchen said he believes Wickstrom will turn around the resort's fate because she's from the area and because she's taking a hands-on approach to getting the resort going.
Wickstrom said skiing will not likely return this winter because of the state of the ski lift equipment. Her first priority, she said, is to open the resort for dining and entertainment.
