In 1998, three partners, Mike Jones, Danny Esterline and Greg Trzybinski were planning their future with the idea of a gay bar in the forefront of their minds. The next day they called Lynda Holmes, a realtor friend of theirs and nine months later on May 26, 1999 they made that dream a reality. Mike Jones said of their ownership, "Since we've owned it it's been open 365 days a year for 30 years."
The three friends and partners bought The Douglas Dunes from Carl Jennings and Larry Gammons. Originally The Douglas Dunes was opened in 1981 to welcome curious gay men and women to Douglas (Saugatuck) Michigan. Throughout the years, under the guidance of Jennings and Gammons, entertainers in fields spanning from pop to porn have appeared. Varied tastes have resulted in a nightlife that defies eclectic and a dance floor that plays music from progressive to hard-rock. Eventually Jones, Esterline and Trzybinski changed the name to The Dunes Resort and today Dunes continues to be a place where good memories are made.
The Dunes Resort is located only two and a half hours from Chicago by car and is one of the grandest gay resorts in the Midwest. The resort contains 22 acres of land with 81 hotel rooms and six bars and a newly renovated pool area with a pool bar. The resort also features a game room, outdoor patio bar and western Michigan's largest gay dance bar and a cabaret with live entertainment. The resort also has Karaoke every Thursday for the entire year. "Every year we try to put back into the business as much as we can to keep the product fresh, new and exciting. We try to give back to the customers that come here every day," said Jones.
During the two annual women's weekends at The Dunes the clientele becomes about 90 percent women. For all other times throughout the year the clientele is predominantly gay men by 80 percent. The normal mix for relationship status is typically 50 percent singles, 50 percent couples. The clientele ranges from gay and straight to young and old, and all feel comfortable in the Dunes environment. The entertainment is scheduled according to what kinds of entertainment the predominant group would prefer or enjoy for that specified weekend.
Thirty years after dreaming about their future, The Dunes Resort has become one of the most favorable vacation spots for GLBT individuals. The three partners have shown unwavering dedication to their dream by providing the best in service, hospitality and most importantly a safe gay haven. Mike Jones noted, "It's really a piece of paradise, a little safe haven that whether or not you are 21 or 86 you can come and there are people from all over the country that you can meet. It's Midwest charm and hospitality."
Speaking for the partners, Jones truly believes that "everyone that comes here melds together, they work together, they have fun together and form friendships together." He also noted that "This is a very welcoming place, regardless of what you like, what you don't like, if you are a boy or a girl, black or white, whether you like to wear a dress or you don't, etc."
The people who visit the resort are not the only thing that is diverse on the scene. The resort offers a kaleidoscope of entertainment, from raucous to romantic and from strippers to live entertainment and cabaret. The resort also hosts DJs and The Dunes makes it happen for their guests. The variety of company, music and atmosphere is the reason people continue to visit The Dunes year after year.
Every weekend during the summer there is a reason to vacation at The Dunes Resort. Entertainment for the 2011 summer season includes DJ Tony Moran, DJ Paulo and Chi Chi LaRue for the Red White on Blue Star event that will be held over Independence Day weekend. The party over Labor Day weekend will include Lydia Prim, Joe Gauthreaux and more Club Channel One Studs. The summertime is the busiest time of the year for the partners and for The Dunes Resort. "Once we get into July and August something is going on every night of the week. We stay sold-out five of the seven nights when we are in summer. We want to provide something fun for them to do every day.
Again speaking for the partners, Jones said, "I think because of the small town feel, a lot of our customers take a sense of ownership in the dunes. It's a constant flow of feedback and ideas and suggestions on what people would like to see and who they would like to hear. They feel committed and connected and loyal to the property and the product.
"The Dunes can be a lot of different things for a lot of different people. You meet people here that I think you maybe never would have met before. It's worth the weekend because I guarantee you will have a good time, so come join the party. ... It's a celebration."
