Downtown Alpena

Downtown Alpena A year-round cultural destination in Northern Michigan, blending historic charm with authenticity and unique waterfront experiences.

Downtown Alpena: a year-round cultural destination in Northern Michigan, blending historic charm with authenticity and unique waterfront experiences. Located on the shores of the Thunder Bay River and beautiful Lake Huron, Downtown Alpena has been the economic hub of Northeast Michigan since the city was settled in the 1870's. Our downtown is home to a diverse and vibrant set of over 200 businesse

s, including art galleries, three theaters, a winery, brewery, and cidery, the first National Marine Sanctuary on the Great Lakes, and a variety of offices, restaurants, bars, non-profits and shops. Walk through downtown and you'll find over 30 pieces of public art and a variety of architectural styles including Italianate, modernist, and more! Alpena is the third largest city in Northern Michigan, and our downtown is proud to be the commercial and cultural heart of our community.

Located right here in Downtown Alpena, Frank’s Key & Lock Shop has been helping Northern Michigan homeowners, drivers, a...
08/26/2026

Located right here in Downtown Alpena, Frank’s Key & Lock Shop has been helping Northern Michigan homeowners, drivers, and businesses with everything from everyday key duplication to rekeying, automotive keys and remotes, locks, safes, master-key systems, and commercial door hardware. They even offer mobile locksmith services for those times when the problem can’t come to the shop!

It’s another great example of the local businesses that help keep our community running, one key, lock and door at a time. ❤️

📍 1201 W. Chisholm St., Alpena, MI 49707
🕐 Monday–Friday | 8 AM–5 PM
📞 989-354-8460

Next time you need a key made, a lock rekeyed, or help with a door or security issue, remember to shop local and support Frank’s Key & Lock Shop! 🔑

Thanks to the event organizers and boaters for rolling with the flow of today’s unpredictable weather!
08/22/2026

Thanks to the event organizers and boaters for rolling with the flow of today’s unpredictable weather!

08/22/2026

They don’t call it Thunder Bay for nothing! Thanks to all the event organizers and boaters for rolling with the unpredictable weather today! ☔️

08/22/2026

Weather update- please share! 🌊

The lit boat parade is still on for tonight at 8 pm! ✨⛵️

The pop-up bar at the Water Street Commons will be set up as soon as the rain lightens up around 4 pm. We’ll be drying off the tables so you can enjoy Truck Your Pizza MI (open until 8 pm) and do some shopping at our tiny shops!

Unfortunately, there will be no live music tonight at the Commons. Rain and musical equipment just don’t mix!

There’s plenty of places to explore indoors downtown until the rain clears up, including Discovery Day at NOAA until 5pm. Then make your way down to the riverfront for 8pm!

Lots going on downtown as part of the Maritime Festival this weekend! ⛵ Tall ship sails with Inland Seas Education Assoc...
08/21/2026

Lots going on downtown as part of the Maritime Festival this weekend!

⛵ Tall ship sails with Inland Seas Education Association Friday-Sunday
🌊 Battle of the Paddles tonight at 5:30 with a watch party on the roof deck @ the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center until 8 pm
🎣 Interactive exhibitors and family-friendly activities tomorrow 12-5 pm behind the Heritage Center + deck tours on the tall ship
🎶 Live music at the Water Street Commons, Saturday 4-8 pm + a pop-up bar and pizza
✨ Venetian Night lit parade starts at 8 pm from the marina and goes down the river, watch along the riverfront parks downtown

Get the full schedule here: https://thunderbayfriends.org/event/thunder-bay-maritime-festival/

Downtown Alpena is getting a little more colorful and we couldn’t be more excited to watch this one come to life!The sec...
08/21/2026

Downtown Alpena is getting a little more colorful and we couldn’t be more excited to watch this one come to life!

The second mural of the summer is taking shape on the side of Thunder Bay Theatre, created by talented artist Megan Oldhues .

Titled “Mid Summer in the Yard,” this piece is a slice-of-life concept centered around family, togetherness, and finding joy in the simple moments of everyday life. ❤️

As you’re walking through Downtown Alpena, be sure to stop by, check out the progress, and say hi to Megan! 👋 She’s bringing her talent to our community, so let’s give her a warm Alpena welcome and a friendly hello while she works her magic.

We can’t wait to see the finished mural! 🎨✨

ThunderBayTheatre CommunityArt SupportLocalArtists

What a great night in Downtown Alpena this past weekend! A big thank you to Sam Rumbles for hosting the Downtown Alpena ...
08/20/2026

What a great night in Downtown Alpena this past weekend! A big thank you to Sam Rumbles for hosting the Downtown Alpena Drive-In & Dine Car Show behind Harborside Cycle & Sport .

With 33 cars on display and local food trucks, there was plenty for car lovers and community members of all ages to enjoy! And congratulations to Diane, who took home the People’s Choice award with her beautiful ’66 Corvette! 🏆

Thank you to everyone who came out, enjoyed the cars, grabbed a bite to eat, and helped make this a fun, family-friendly evening downtown!

👏 A special shoutout to Sam Rumbles State Farm Insurance for bringing this event to Downtown Alpena and helping create another great community gathering!

📅 Want to stay in the loop on everything happening Downtown? Visit our Community Calendar on our website and follow our Events page here on social media for upcoming events!

Come celebrate Maritime Festival at the Water Street Commons with us on Saturday, August 22nd from 4-8 pm!🎶 Live music f...
08/18/2026

Come celebrate Maritime Festival at the Water Street Commons with us on Saturday, August 22nd from 4-8 pm!

🎶 Live music from Birch Road String Band (4-5:30 pm) and 3 Volt Vinyl (6-8 pm)
🍕 Hot, deep dish pizza from Truck Your Pizza (12-8 pm)
🍻 Refreshing drinks from our pop-up bar (beer, wine, and cider) 🥤 Smoothies from Blu Blends Smoothies & Acai Alpena & dirty sodas from Sassy Soda Co. LLC.
🛍️ Stroll and see what's new at our tiny shops (Mana Wellness, Hodge Podge Lodge, Calia's Empurrium , Denali Rose Boutique)

As the sun begins to set, the Water Street Commons will be the perfect viewing location for the inaugural lit Festival Boat Parade that begins at 8pm. Watch decorated boats light up the river as they cruise by. ⛵

Full Maritime Fest schedule here: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Bidd6R78G/

Our second mural of the summer will come to life starting next week at Thunder Bay Theatre by artist Megan Oldhues! 🎨As ...
08/14/2026

Our second mural of the summer will come to life starting next week at Thunder Bay Theatre by artist Megan Oldhues! 🎨

As TBT was rebuilding after the 2020 fire, they had to encapsulate the brick wall that had been exposed— and made it a perfect canvas for a new piece of public art. As TBT wraps up its monumental renovation this fall, we are proud to play a role in this building’s renewal.

About the artist:
“A self-taught artist with a foundation in classical drawing, Megan’s style, impressionist painterly realism, is technically challenging and rare. As one of the few women in North America working in this painterly mural style, Megan is committed to pushing the boundaries of contemporary public art.

Her pieces keep an impressionist spirit that demonstrates the value of daily life, with elements of local scenery and scenes of nostalgia. Her motivation is always to create nostalgic and intimate scenes at a scale of grandeur that merges playfulness and wistfulness.”

We can’t wait to have Megan in Alpena to leave her mark and transform this giant canvas into a stunning new piece of public art.

Since 1987, Star Staffing Alpena has been connecting Northeast Michigan employers and job seekers, building relationship...
08/13/2026

Since 1987, Star Staffing Alpena has been connecting Northeast Michigan employers and job seekers, building relationships and creating opportunities right here in our community.

Their commitment to Alpena goes beyond staffing, and we’re grateful for all the ways their team gives back and gets involved!

Right now, Star Staffing is hosting a Back-to-School Supply Drive! Help local students start the school year ready by dropping off school supplies at their office located in Downtown Alpena.

📍 537 W. Chisholm St.
🕗 Monday–Friday | 8 AM–4 PM

Thank you, Star Staffing Alpena, for all you do for our community! ⭐️

Address

124 E Chisholm
Alpena, MI
49707

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

(989) 356-6422

Website

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