Booming business at Muskegon's Shoreline Inn means 50 more summer jobs

A booming tourist and conference business at Muskegon's refurbished Shoreline Inn & Conference Center is going to bring some 50 seasonal jobs to the lakeshore.

The Shoreline Inn (750 Terrace Point Blvd.) was in poor shape when Parkland Properties of Michigan acquired it in 2009. Only half of its 140 rooms were open, it was down to 12 employees and brought in $900,000, says Jon Rooks, Parkland associate broker/owner. Now, after millions in redevelopment, the four-acre complex that includes the inn and conference center, Terrace Point Marina and The Lake House Waterfront Grille has 130 employees, with 2011's revenue at over $5 million, Rooks says.

With the renovation complete, the Shoreline
"We obtained the inn through a loan default which ended with a friendly transfer of ownership and the employees never lost their jobs," Rooks says. "We took over in the midst of the Great Recession and we thought we could try to sell it, but in a down market and the shape it was in at the time, the chance of selling it was dismal."
Inn played host to some 52,000 guests last year, Rooks says. The hope is to gain even more momentum as tourism rises along the lakeshore.

The summer jobs include restaurant, front desk, kitchen, housekeeping and marina positions.

"A variety of positions are available to a wide range of people," says General Manager Doug Pollock. "Muskegon's uniquely suited to the tourism industry. I think the fact that we've been able to move this property from 20 percent occupancy to 40 percent occupancy and provide jobs could be the spearhead for an entire industry here that could help a lot of people."

To apply, pick up an application at the inn or bring your résumé to the inn's job fair on April 26 and 27, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Source: Jon Rooks, Parkland Properties of Michigan; Doug Pollock, Shoreline Inn & Conference Center
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor

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