What started as a simple “cheat sheet” for our JOYRide drivers has blossomed into something much bigger—a comprehensive Insider’s Guide to Michigan City that we’re thrilled to share with our community. We sat down with JOYRide owner Rose Tejeda to discuss the Michigan City Insider’s Guide.
The Genesis of an Idea
When JOYRide owner Rose Tejeda first conceptualized the business, she envisioned our drivers as more than just operators of our electric trikes. “I thought that my drivers would function not just as a driver, but as a concierge,” Rose explains. “Someone who could make suggestions and recommendations to pass along to our guests about places to go shopping, restaurants, and events happening in town.”
As requests for local recommendations began pouring in from our riders, it became clear that Michigan City needed something that didn’t exist: a guide dedicated solely to our city’s locally owned, independent businesses.
A Love Letter to Local Business
Unlike typical business directories that cover entire counties or focus on chamber members, Rose made a conscious decision to spotlight Michigan City’s independent business scene exclusively. “I wanted to create something that was 100% Michigan City, and I also wanted to support our locally owned businesses,” she says.
The timing couldn’t be more perfect. As Michigan City stands “on the cusp of a major Renaissance,” many local businesses still face challenges, and JOYRide saw an opportunity to become a vital resource for both visitors and locals discovering what our city has to offer.
What’s Inside the Guide
The Insider’s Guide covers all the categories you’d expect: dining, shopping, lodging, but goes beyond the typical guide with independent businesses at the heart of this guide. Thanks to our fantastic lakefront location, we’ve included fishing charters and outdoor activities such as Indiana Dunes State Park, the National Lakeshore, and Mount Baldy.
One unique feature? A dedicated parks section identifies dog-friendly locations, as well as pet-friendly establishments throughout the guide. “We should all take our dogos where we go,” Rose notes with a smile.
The guide also includes businesses that weren’t even open at the time of publication, genuinely living up to its “insider” promise by featuring establishments that will open later this season.
A Gift to the Community
Perhaps most remarkably, this first-year guide is entirely free for featured businesses. “Typically, this kind of publication is highly monetized,” Rose acknowledges. “If it’s not a love letter to Michigan City, it’s definitely a gift to Michigan City business owners.”
This generous approach reflects JOYRide’s commitment to community support, using print to make a definitive statement about loving Michigan City and its businesses.
Where to Get Your Copy
The beautifully designed print guide is available on all JOYRide trikes, and we’re distributing copies to most of the businesses featured within. This limited first-edition run helps us gauge community interest and reaction.
The guide also serves as a companion to our digital Insider’s Guide to Michigan City Events, available at JoyrideMC.com, which features live music, festivals, nonprofit events, and more happening around town.
Looking Ahead
Plans are already in motion to create a digital version of the print guide, cementing JOYRide’s position as the ultimate resource for anyone visiting Michigan City or locals looking to discover hidden gems in their own backyard.
Whether you’re planning a staycation weekend or showing visitors around town, the JOYRide Insider’s Guide to Michigan City proves that sometimes the best recommendations come from someone who truly knows and loves their hometown.
