Hearthside Grove : News

By Ryan Bentley News-Review Staff Writer

Source: Petoskey News-Review

As the first phase of construction wraps up at one luxury RV resort north of Petoskey, plans for another high-end motorcoach park across town are getting consideration from Resort Township officials.

Work on the initial phase of Hearthside Grove, a $30 million RV resort off U.S. 31 North, is expected to be complete by early December. The park will occupy a 140-acre site which had been partially developed for a manufactured home subdivision known as Woodfield.

Lifelong Petoskey residents Craig and Kirk Rose own Hearthside Grove. They’re also co-owners of a nearby KOA campground along with their parents. Hearthside Grove will feature landscaped lots, a pool, a clubhouse with fitness center and wireless Internet connections. Bungalows will be available on motorcoach lots and can provide space for laundry, entertainment or additional kitchen needs.

The resort will cater exclusively to users of class A motorcoaches, which are well-equipped RVs ranging in price from $300,000 to more than $1 million.

“We know these motor coach owners are looking for a very different experience,” said Craig Rose. “The level of service and amenities we’re offering coupled with a great community atmosphere make this a very attractive resort destination for a motorcoach lot.”

Hearthside Grove’s first phase will include 50 lots, with a grand opening planned for late spring 2008. The entire 340-lot park is expected to be developed in six phases over five years, and will be available year-round. Lots prices currently range from the $70,000s to the mid-$100,000s, and owners can make them available for rental in a format similar to a condominium hotel.

The Roses have enlisted Kidd Group of Florida to assist with branding and promotion efforts for Hearthside Grove.

Ryan Bentley can be contacted at 439-9342, or rbentley@petoskeynews.com.

Television Station – Fox Affiliate
Channel 33 / WFQX-TV
Run date: November 19, 2008

Profile: WFQX-TV is the local FOX affiliate for Cadillac, MI. The station is owned by Rockfleet Broadcasting Inc. WFQX-TV broadcasts locally on channel 33.

Hearthside Grove, located at 2400 US 31 North, will be this area’s newest RV resort. Motorcoach
lots will range from the $70s to the mid-$100s. The $30 million, 340-lot resort rests on 140 acres
and is being developed locally by Craig and Kirk Rose of Petoskey.

Construction of phase one is set for completion Dec. 1, 2007.

“We know these motor coach owners are looking for a very different experience,” said Craig
Rose, co-owner of Hearthside Grove. “The level of service and amenities we’re offering coupled
with a great community atmosphere make this a very attractive resort destination for a
motorcoach lot.”

Hearthside Grove is committed to bringing a true luxury resort experience and exceptional service
to the RV industry.

Strong Sales a Springboard for National Marketing of Hearthside

(Petoskey, Mich.) – Representatives from Hearthside Grove Motorcoach Resort (Hearthside), the region’s first true-luxury RV resort community, announced today that construction of phase one is set for completion Dec. 1, 2007. The $30 million, 340-lot resort rests on 140 acres and is being developed locally by Craig and Kirk Rose of Petoskey. The grand opening is scheduled for late spring 2008.

As completion of phase one approaches, the marketing and sales efforts are just ramping up. Hearthside hired Kidd Group, a leading marketing firm out of Florida, to assist with branding and promotion of the property. The branding and advertising platform is in the development stages and national marketing for Hearthside and the Petoskey area will begin in early 2008.

Even as the marketing efforts take shape, Hearthside has been well-received by the RV community. This is evident in the fact that 70 percent of phase one has sold out to date. The sales momentum of Hearthside is in step with national trends and the growing demands of the RV industry. According to a study commissioned by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) and executed by the University of Michigan’s Survey Research Center, demand for RVs will continue to grow during the next decade, due to favorable population trends and purchase intentions. The study forecasts that the enormous baby boomer generation is reaching retirement age and that this dominating factor is expected to continue driving the RV market.

Hearthside is positioned to meet the needs of a very specific segment of this booming RV market. With lushly landscaped lots, resort-style pool, fitness center, Wi-Fi hookup and craftsman inspired bungalows, this resort will be the first of its caliber available in the region exclusively for the class-A motor coach community. These high-end, luxury RVs range in price from $300,000 to well over $1 million and are loaded with every bell and whistle imaginable.”We know these motor coach owners are looking for a very different experience,” said Craig Rose, co-owner of Hearthside Grove. “The level of service and amenities we’re offering coupled with a great community atmosphere make this a very attractive resort destination for a motorcoach lot.”

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