$913,145Average Value$684Average Price per Sq Ft0Homes For Sale
Dogs, cats and horses, oh my!
Omena has fewer than 300 full-time residents and little nightlife or shopping, but the unincorporated community north of Traverse City still makes headlines with its eccentricities. For instance, pets have comprised the village council and mayor's office since 2009.
In late July, Lucky Dinero Bosco was named mayor as a literal "dark horse" candidate in an 18-animal election. The village's first equine mayor now assumes the role at public functions for the next three years from Rosie, a retriever mix, and in leading the new multi-species council of three cats and two dogs.
As a tiny village without its own government, Omena has little need for formality; the mayor’s race is held as a fundraiser for the local history society. “People vote online or at the museum,” says Sally Viskochil, president of the Omena Historical Society and a long-term resident. “We say ‘vote early and vote often,’ since each vote is a dollar. It’s a great fundraiser; we made over $15,000 from this election, and the new Mayor Lucky hasn’t even arrived in town yet!
“We’re quite loose about the requirements here,” she says with a laugh.
Along with beloved pet mayors, the community supports history and ecology causes. “We have multiple non-profit organizations—much more than most towns this size, making sure we all work together towards the shared goals of preserving and maintaining the area,” says Viskochil. “We take care of our town so it can be enjoyed for generations to come.”
Small downtown shows off local art, history and cherry-themed desserts
Locals collaborate on shared projects throughout town, renovating historic buildings with the Omena Village Preservation Association or showcasing local history at the Omena Historical Society Museum with hand-picked exhibits.
Aside from the museum, the retail district has a restaurant, a winery, a post office, a country store and an art gallery formerly owned by Viskochil. “There are plenty of second-home owners here, so we’ve always had a ready supply of customers looking for art and decorations,” says Viskochil.
Knot Just A Bar opened in 2007, a sister to its original restaurant in nearby Petoskey. Located on North West Bay Shore Drive, the restaurant’s deck and dining room overlook Omena Bay. Inside, pine walls, hanging buoys and porthole windows converted to mirrors show off the restaurant’s nautical theme. Guests order from the menu of seafood platters, flatbreads, burgers and cherry-themed desserts. Next door, Leelanau Wine Cellars Tasting Room offers more than 40 award-winning wines for tastings or by the bottle. “The winery employs a lot of locals who are knowledgeable about Michigan wines,” says Viskochil. “It’s busy during summers, but after the summer crowd goes back home in the fall, locals spend time here, too.”
Across North West Bay Shore Drive is the village’s only supermarket. Founded in 1889 and reopened in 2022, the Omena Bay Country Store is a family-owned business. Tom’s Food Market, a chain grocery store with a wider selection of products, is 6 miles north of Omena.
Ranches share space with modern farmhouses
Prices in Omena range from about $500,000 to $1.3 million. Ranch-style houses from the mid-1900s are priced lower, and modern farmhouses on acreage are priced higher. Lakefront houses often have private docks and direct beach access, while inland properties often include orchards and gardens.
Despite the distance between homes, Omena is a close-knit community. “Everybody does know everybody here,” says Viskochil. “When I first moved here with my husband fifty years ago, our next-door neighbor ‘adopted’ us. She took care of us, fed us, and made us an immediate part of the community. The welcoming community is one of the reasons generations of families come here and stay.”
Omenans go boating at the clubhouse
Aside from volunteering with local organizations, Omena residents spend time enjoying the Omena-Traverse Yacht Club. Founded in 1947, this bayfront clubhouse is a launching point for sailboats, kayaks and paddleboards. The club also hosts half-day youth camps throughout the summer and rents event space for weddings and large celebrations.
Graham Greene Park, just south of Omena, offers more outdoor fun. This 15-acre space has wooded hiking trails, picnic areas and a rocky beach with bay access.
Learning at Northport Public School
Students growing up in Omena may attend Northport Public School, graded B by Niche. This kindergarten through 12th-grade school enrolls fewer than 150 students and is 6 miles north of Omena. The nearest private school is St. Mary School in Lake Leelanau, about 10 miles south, which serves K through 12th-grade students and earns a B-plus Niche score.
Getting to Traverse City
Omena is car-dependent, with Walk and Bike Scores of 13 and 6/100, respectively. The nearest city is Traverse City, 23 miles southeast of Omena. Depending on traffic, driving from Omena to Traverse City takes 35 to 45 minutes.
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On average, homes in Omena, Suttons Bay sell after 24 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Omena, Suttons Bay over the last 12 months is $1,600,000.
Privacy and peace on over 18 acres only 1 mile from Omena in coveted Leelanau Township. Currently being used as a Cherry Orchard. Build now, or lease back to the farmer while you get ready for your new build. So many opportunities here!
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
