THE BRANDON SUN • Lake Life • SATURDAY, MAY 24, 2025
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Dragon Fly Delights Tea Room owner Joanne Jessau says she is confident that the community and visitors will support her new business, as “the lake is open, boats are back, and there’s a strong ‘staylocal’ movement.” (Abiola Odutola/The Brandon Sun)
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Still, like many other operators, she grapples with challenges like staffing, particularly due to the cost of housing in the area. “There’s just not a lot of affordable places for staff to live. If they don’t have a family cabin, it can be really tough.” Karlin Krieger, who has run the White- house Bakery for
Although the restaurant, with a capacity of 240 seats, didn’t experience a direct decline in 2024’s customer num- bers, she explained the real concern was for the future, especially for the lake’s identity as a boating haven. “People build their whole summer lives here around boating. It’s not just recreation, it’s emotional, it’s generational. The thought of losing that was devastating.” Despite these fears, the return of boat access in 2025 has brought relief. “People are happy the boats are back. We’ve got a beautiful May coming, and Clear Lake is still a beloved gem,” she said, echoing a sentiment passed down through the decades. “Even during the Depression in the 1930s, people came here. That says something.”
People are happy the boats are back. We’ve got a beautiful May coming, and Clear Lake is still a beloved gem,
seven seasons, paints a picture of resilience. Known for its breakfasts and “nostalgic charm,” he told the Sun the bak- ery has maintained steady business despite ecological concerns.
Karly McRae, co-owner of The Lakehouse
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