LEELANAU COUNTY — Landon McDaid, owner of Hive Coffee Co., has expanded his entrepreneurial footprint in Northern Michigan with two new businesses: Birdie’s Sandwich Shop in Suttons Bay and Little Boat Coffee shop in Leland.
Birdie’s Sandwich Shop, located behind Hive Coffee, is designed for quick grab-and-go sandwiches featuring fun bird-themed names like the Spicy Sparrow and the Wing Man. Meanwhile, Little Boat aims to support Michigan waterways while offering distinct coffee and pastry options. Both new ventures align with McDaid’s commitment to community and environmental efforts.
McDaid established Hive Coffee Co. back in 2023 and has now fulfilled his long-held dream of opening another business. The idea for Birdie’s came when the former owner of Bay Burrito approached him about taking over the lease. “The owner of Bay Burrito called me up one day and said that they were moving on and if I wanted to take over the lease and that kind of that’s how it all came to fruition,” McDaid explained.
The concept behind Birdie’s reflects a timeless design, drawing inspiration from a West Coast surfer skateboarder aesthetic. “We wanted something like Hive. Something timeless that seemed like it would fit not only like now, but like 20 years ago, 40 years ago and 20 years from now,” said McDaid.
Birdie’s caters to the need for quick meal options during busy summer months, especially considering the nearby beach and hiking areas. “Over the two summers here, we realized that need for a grab and go option that you didn’t require to go really into a place and sit down and get a menu and order, the grab and go was just kind of a natural idea,” McDaid mentioned.
The unique bird-themed sandwich names reflect a creative approach, with options like the Spicy Sparrow featuring cured Italian meats and the Wing Man served on a tortilla, highlighting McDaid’s fun and engaging menu design philosophy. “We just had some fun bouncing some ideas off of my manager, Max, my wife, Nicole and then our investor,” he said.
In addition to Birdie’s, McDaid opened Little Boat Coffee to enhance his community impact in Leland. The shop focuses on supporting Michigan waterways and wildlife conservation efforts. “So the heart behind Little Boat, our mission is to support Michigan waterways, Lake Michigan, and then we’ve already done some work with the Fish Town preservation,” he stated.
The businesses not only aim to provide excellent food and beverages but also emphasize overall well-being, including a commitment to mental health. “With Hive, we focus on honeybee conservation and mental health and we wanted that heart to carry out through all of our businesses,” McDaid added.
McDaid credits the success of his ventures to the support of his wife and to his staff and clear mission across all locations. “I actually rarely have to communicate with them. My expectations, I think they’re all on the same page of what we want,” he said.
As McDaid’s businesses continue to grow, they will focus on further engaging with the community and supporting important local causes, particularly around wildlife and mental health advocacy.