Relocation

The Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce knows relocating your business means more than just a new space with new office furniture. It means ensuring when you leave work, you'll be going home to a safe and welcoming neighborhood. It means finding a strong and diverse community of potential employees. It means the best schools for your children and your employees' children. And it means being able to step out of that new office and have a little fun.

Let Us Entertain You

So let’s start with the fun. Buchanan and its surrounding communities offer all the amenities you might look for when relocating. The city is just a short drive from the beaches of Lake Michigan, framed by rolling sand dunes. The neighboring cities and towns dotting the lakeshore are home to some of the area's finest restaurants and storefronts boasting the work of unique artisans. When you're looking for a change of pace, the city of South Bend Ind. is just minutes over the state line and Chicago is just short of a two-hour drive away. And those - are just the highlights in an endless list of nearby wineries, eateries, shopping venues, festivals, fairs and concert halls.

And right outside your door is Buchanan’s Arts & Historical district. Here, you will find some of the city’s treasures. For a piece of local history, you can tour Pears Mill. Or discover the history behind the antiques that sit inside any of Buchanan’s antique shops.

Just behind the mill is The Common outdoor amphitheater that draws in audiences for outdoor movies, live music and theater. The Buchanan Art Center is a draw for local and area artisans as well as a place where adults and children can explore their inner artist with seasonal classes available and the Buchanan Public Library is just down the road to satisfy the most dedicated readers.

And after you learn more about the area’s strong sense of agriculture – take note – the Buchanan Farmer’s Market is open to those seeking out local and organic produce.

Location, Location, Location

Location is imperative when choosing a new place to conduct business. Space can be conducive to success and filled with character. Now is the time to find such space. Buchanan's 19th century buildings have been embraced by owners undertaking significant historical rehabilitation projects with new mechanical systems and utilities. Two National Register Historic Districts are in the making. Appropriate in-fill new construction is encouraged. With many choices of hotels and restaurants, from the lakefront to South Bend, client and employee accomodations and reservations are a phone call away.

With its accessibility to surrounding hotels and restaurants - when your business needs to accommodate your clients - that accommodation is just a phone call away.

Family Matters

theatre In Buchanan, where 'life is better here', we know when you move here, it's not all about business. You want to make sure your family has everything it needs - from the best in medical care to the best in academic opportunity.

Buchanan is an authentic, small, American hometown. Here, the community supports its football, basketball, baseball, soccer, tennis, volleyball players and track runners. They turn out for performances at the Tin Shop, the city's community theater.

Community and education connect in Buchanan, with area volunteers taking part in reading programs. At Buchanan High School, students have the opportunity to take part in a curriculum that goes beyond standard courses offering African American Studies, Physical Therapy, Law & Public Speaking and Media Studies.

Education doesn't end there. Some of the nation's best in college education is right in Buchanan's back yard, where you'll find the University of Notre Dame, Andrews University and the Indiana University of South Bend. Community colleges like Southwest Michigan Community College and Lake Michigan College also offer opportunities for continuing education. And that's not all. Michigan offers a world of possibility with the University of Michigan and Michigan State University.

When it comes to caring for your family - its surrounding medical institutions, Lakeland Healthcare and Memorial Hospital, serve Buchanan. Both offer state of the art care with some of the finest doctors in the region.

Moving to Southwest Michigan

When moving to Southwest Michigan – be prepared. There will be plenty to see and even more to do – but we're here to help tell you where to start.

The cities and towns that create the southwest corner of the state embrace their own identities while boasting historical integrity and unique artistry and endless avenues for recreation and entertainment. To explore southwest Michigan is to witness the scenic beauty that is her sprawling farmland. A rolling backdrop dense with trees annually creates some of the most brilliant autumn portraits of any to be found. And, of course, there is the lakeshore – where Lake Michigan’s brilliant waters gently kiss the soft sands of many area beaches, fill with sun seekers in the summer and provide some of the most beautiful sunsets.

The Arts

art

What Southwest Michigan embraces is the ability to lead a hometown life with all the amenities of the big city. In every town, city and village, the area breeds unique and talented artists. More so, it breeds a community that supports its artists. Stop in at local galleries and arts shops and discover local artists whose work will quickly become favorites. The Buchanan Art Center offers exhibits from area and regional artists in all. Make a day trip out of any one of the area’s museums, including the Andrews University Museum of Natural History in Berrien Springs, The Box Factory for the Arts or the Curious Kids Museum in St. Joseph.

As Michigan welcomes filmmakers to the state with tax incentives, here in the southwestern portion of the state there's no shortage of ways to enjoy all there is see on the silver screen. At the Wonderland theater in Niles, choose from six screens and enjoy the best prices in the area. The theater also houses a cafe, where you can enjoy fresh, hot sandwhiches, soups, specialty coffees and more before, after or even during the show. Take in a movie at the Vicker’s Theater in Three Oaks, a historical building featuring among others, foreign and independent films.

And if you're a die hard movie fan, a short drive north will get you to the annual Waterfront Film Festival in Saugatuck, held each summer.

The Recreation

Campgrounds, beaches and super secret fishing spots - they all abound here, in southwest Michigan.
Recapture those old summertime memories at Clear Lake, a privately owned beach open to the public. At Clear Lake, park the recreational vehicle, plug into a camping spot or do it old school and set up a tent - the ** acre property has room for it all and a couple of cabins if you're interested in renting one. Music hovers over the lake's waters while inside the nostalgic general store, beachgoers can pick up all the necessities as well as hand dipped ice cream, penny candy and hot pretzels.

Warren Dunes *State Park give visitors a chance to enjoy Lake Michigan along the shoreline with a soft, sandy beach and rolling dunes that are just as much fun as as the waves. And sunsets turn symbolic at Silver Beach, where the sounds of taps float above the water as the sun dips below the horizon. And of course, there's the fishing. Michigan's many lakes make for some of the best fishing spots in the area.

In Buchanan, appreciating nature is something that's done by residents every day - right in their back yard. Buchanan is home to one of the area's protected natural resources, The Fen. And residents banded together as Friends of McCoy Creek, creating a picturesque walking trail through the city framed by thick woods and gently flowing current of McCoy's Creek.

Food & Nightlife

grapes

Once you’ve taken the time to explore all of the arts, entertainment and recreation that Southwest Michigan has to offer – odds are – you’re going to be hungry for more.

But if that’s not all you’re hungry for – you’ve come to the right place.

Everybody likes a little nightlife. And southwest Michigan has plenty of it. In recent years, southwest Michigan has become home to the Four Winds Casino - featuring never-ending entertainment and some of the finest food.

In downtown Buchanan, Memories Tavern features a wide selection of area microbrews. A short drive toward the beach, in South Haven the legendary, family owned and operated ** offers great food and specialty drinks as does the ** in Dowagiac.

Southwest Michigan abounds with wineries that look over picturesque vineyards and offer mouthwatering menus created by the area’s most talented chefs, like Tabor Hill, found right here in Buchanan. The winery puts out award winning products and serves up everything from its famous raspberry chicken to filet mignon, grape leaf wrapped salmon fillet and New Zealand elk chop. The Round Barn winery in Baroda is an attraction in itself, with a dignified menu, complimentary tastings, signature Divine Vodka, group tours and its latest venture into microbrews.

And when the winery isn’t exactly what you’re looking for after a day at the beach – don’t worry. The citizens of southwest Michigan dine on homemade ice cream (look for Sherman's), hand scooped and slipped into waffle cones, home baked pies and pastries. Our diners serve up the best breakfasts, the biggest burgers and a wide range of tastes to satisfy any pallet.

The History

There is a history here in southwest Michigan...of growth and prosperity and heritage. Around each corner, in Buchanan and its surrounding towns, historical markers tell this part of the state's enduring story. Discovering its story - can only inspire one to start their own, right here in our town.