07/20/2026
Long Post-
Regarding the incident with Consumers Energy this morning.
Yes tensions are high, we have been accommodating construction on the neighboring property for months. We have allowed all contractors to have access to our lot for trailers, dumpsters, equipment, vehicles and even a portable toilet. We have dealt with an overflowing parking lot, closed sidewalk, busted water lines that closed our business, and constant communication with contractors.
When we were told that power would have to be cut to our business in order to add power to their building, we respectfully asked that it occur on a Monday, as late as possible in the day. We made this request as it is the slowest business day and keeping it later would allow us to serve our customers for most of the day. The job site general contractor told us they would make that request for us. When we met with Consumers we made the same request and they said they would note it.
When we were given a date for the work, we were told it would be shut off from 8am-12pm, we contacted the general contractor and Consumers and were told they were still trying to accommodate us.
We were told this work would occur on June 29, then on June 25th we received an email stating the shut off would occur on July 13, that same day we received a post card stating it would be completed on July 6. When we tried to inquire with the general contractor we were told they didn't have any of that information.
On July 13, Consumers came into our shop in the morning to notify our staff that power was going to be turned off and they asked when would be a good time. Our staff responded that it was supposed to occur after 12pm. The worker left and came back within 5 minutes and said it was going off within 30 minutes. When we arrived to speak to a site supervisor for Consumers we were told there wasn't one. Then they said it was being rescheduled to today because they weren't ready to complete it that day.
Again we reiterated that we needed it to occur after 12pm to preserve our business. So this morning at approximately 8:30 they came in again to say it was being shut off. At that point Chad came in to meet with the site supervisor. Yes he was upset, yes he yelled and cussed. He even told the supervisor (no lineman was involved) that Consumers would feel his wrath if they did it at that time. This was the “threat” that was overheard.
As a local business, we strive to serve our community to the best of our ability. Whenever we slip up, we have to deal with the fallout. If we aren't open when the internet says we are, we deal with the fallout. If we get upset and yell at a company that is screwing us up, we deal with the fallout. We aren't perfect, we are human too. But when a larger corporation comes in and bullies your business, you do take it personally…not just for us, but for the neighboring businesses that have dealt with similar (if not bigger) losses and inconveniences throughout this entire process.
We will not apologize for standing up for our business, and if you choose not to support us, we understand. Every business cannot accommodate every customer.
