• 1966 - Bill's parents, Karin and Bil Sr., built and opened the Dogpatch Restaurant.

• 1984 - Bil Jr. moved back to Munising and became involved with the Dogpatch.

• 1985 - A catering company was added.

• Late 1980s
- Moonbeams Bar and Restaurant was opened.
- Munising Sport Center was created.

• 1996 - Best Western was purchased.

• Late 1990s
- The Wandering Wheels Campground was purchased.
- The Forest Inn was purchased from Kathy Hake. Previously known as the Sylvan Inn, the establishment was built by Bill's great- grandparents, Sandra and Charles Johnson, in the 1930s.

• 2005 - The Holiday Inn Express opened.

• 2010/2011 - The Beach Inn Motel opened. In the next few years following, The Sunset Motel and The Superior Motel were purchased.

• 2014-2019 - Vacation home rentals were added.

• 2021
- The Comfort Inn and Suites opened.
- The Terrace Motel was purchased.

• 2022 - The Gift Station was purchased.

• 2023 - Pictured Rocks Gift Station opened.

Today, they operate 7 motels, the Dogpatch, the KOA campground, 2 gift shops, a few vacation rental homes, and Munising Snowmobile Rentals.

In August of 2023, there were 144 employees spread throughout the various companies.

Past Recipients

  • 2022/23: Timber Products

  • 2021/22: Munising Memorial Hospital

  • 2020/21:  Madigan’s Ace Hardware

  • 2019/20: No award - COVID

  • 2018/19:  Peoples State Bank

  • 2017/18:  Bowerman Funeral Home

  • 2016/17:  Hiawatha Communications

  • 2015/16:  ALTRAN - Alger Transit Authority

  • 2014/15:  Neenah Paper

  • 2013/14:  Nebel & Nebel Law Office

  • 2012/13:  VanLandschoot & Sons 

  • 2011/12:  Pictured Rocks Cruises