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Jack’s Journal: Sleder’s Family Tavern

In 2014, this neighborhood eatery and meeting place was designated the longest continuously operating restaurant in the state of Michigan. The previous title holder was closed for several years, even though it was now reopened, it lost its "continuous" streak." Enter , a Traverse City tradition. It opened in 1882 because neighbors wanted a local spot. And the neighborhood folks pitched in to build the place.

"Really wanted a place to go for food and beverages. And so all the work, it took three years to build the restaurant, and all the work was on Sundays only," said Megan Cox, . "It was basically donation and they would feed them."

Owned originally by the Sleder’s, then the Classens. The Cairn family took ownership in 1992. Now open for 133 years straight, this neighborhood restaurant hasn’t changed much, from the dining room, to the original bar or the menu.

"You don’t see the menu changing a lot. We’ve tried real hard to keep a consistent base of the things we do. People can expect the same great thing every time they come in."

Sleder’s is known for kissing Randolf the moose, and the 1882 feel. In the early years, the main dining area was for the men only. The ladies met behind the swinging doors. And during prohibition, illegal alcohol was served to patrons in tea cups.

133 years is a long time to be in business and the Cairn family was proud to take up the mantel of longest continuous operating restaurant in the state.

"And it really made us all very proud. We’ve all grown up here. We’ve all played a piece in what’s happening here. To be honest, my daughter is 11 and she can’t wait till she can work here."