Hints from history are on display at this Calumet gift shop on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.Copper World in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula might as well be the Cheers of Calumet on the Keweenaw, a point that juts into Copper Harbor and draws loyal visitors and first-timers who embrace the region’s great outdoors.
The village of Calumet, 30 miles south of Copper Harbor, is a National Landmark District and part of the Keweenaw National Historical Park. Then there’s Copper World, a family-owned gift shop that stretches along a half block of storefront on the main street.
Here, Cheryl Voelker greets familiar faces and catches up with seasonal travelers. She remembers many of their names and asks about their stay. Importantly, she helps keep Calumet history alive with copper gifts, books and puzzles that share its stories in words and pictures, apparel galore and a menagerie of Northwoods-inspired souvenirs.
 Popular adult tees include U.P. name drops and woodsy themes. Photos: Adam Johnson
Today, Copper World is triple its original size and includes the adjoining Calumet Mercantile her uncle once ran, which sells homemade fudge and local foods.
Greeting multi-generational guests and meeting new visitors are what Voelker loves most about the family business — along with seeking out memorable merchandise to keep the shop fresh every year.
“It’s all about the people and truly loving the gifts you sell to them and watching their reactions to what you’ve chosen,” says Voelker. “There is a sense of satisfaction when you were the one to pick an item out, unpack and display it, and then see people buy it.”
She adds, “We’ve built deep relationships with our customers. It’s not just a gift store —it’s an experience.”
Captured by copperBefore the Gold Rush, there was copper mining in Calumet — and lots of it.
“Copper from here is what electrified America and it was the first mining boom,” says Voelker, proud of her roots.
A portion of the shop’s inventory is devoted to sharing the region’s history in some form. Copper World carries over 200 books, many of them recounting the region’s mining days. “History is a big part of our community,” Voelker acknowledges.
One local author, Joseph Heywood, wrote a number of historical fiction books related to Calumet and copper mining, and the late Clarence Monette penned more than 50 books about small towns around the country that are displayed in a turnstile.
“Copper is kind of trendy now,” points out Voelker, noting its healing properties and popularity in decor. “Copper is believed to help with arthritis and circulation, so we have customers who buy a copper bracelet or ring for this reason.”
The average price point is $20 to $75. Copper jewelry by Wheeler includes necklaces and earrings, not marketed as an antidote but as a souvenir accessory.
Copper wall decor includes designs such as the Upper Peninsula, dragonflies, leaves and butterflies. Many are produced by Anderson Metal Art.
And of course, Sasquatch is big on the scene as copper art and in kids products.
Copper wind chimes by Wind River Chimes along with spinners by Spinfinity Designs and Red Carpet Studios are positioned under the shop’s awning as an enticing invitation inside, where visitors can find more designs.
A couple of Christmas trees in the store show off copper holiday ornaments — a souvenir guests gravitate toward, some collecting a new one during each visit. Copper World offers a selection of tree-decorating take-homes, including local landmarks and Lake Superior. Local Judy Scharr makes birch bark characters playing hockey (a Calumet favorite pastime), golfing or picking berries. Voelker also collaborates with Pilgrim Imports and Tangico for ornaments.
The trees are on display year-round and fit right into the area’s north woods vibe.
“We’re in a woodsy area, people are here to experience the outdoors and Lake Superior, and they take a piece of that home with them,” says Voelker.
Sweet to wearWith three rooms in Copper World and a continuous flow from one to the next, the store is arranged in departments. Copper gifts, books, puzzles and games are grouped in one section, which seamlessly moves into a space decked out with apparel and kids’ goods. Then guests enter the sweets shop with local delicacies such as thimbleberry jam.
“It’s a local berry, and while it also grows in Maine, we’re one of the only places that manufacture it into anything,” says Voelker, sourcing jam from U.P. Foods. “That is a highlight for people to bring home for family and friends.”
So are Sayklly’s Yooper Bars (short for U.P. and what those born in the Upper Peninsula call themselves). The milk chocolate candy in a U.P. shape sells by the case.
In an on-site kitchen, Voelker’s mother makes fudge from scratch. The No. 1 seller is Lake Superior Mud, a blend of white, dark and milk chocolate with caramel ribbons.
Meanwhile, displays of sweets from Taffy Town and Jelly Belly entice customers with a colorful sugar fix that doubles as a rainbow backdrop.
 Customers have a wide selection of Upper Peninsula candies and other local foods to chose from.
Styles by Stormy Chromers move fast and feature the U.P. icon, a Sasquatch mining copper and other local designs.
Other T-shirt designs are north woodsy with forest motifs or lake themed, along with Calumet-specific themes. Because many visitors tour the UP rather than staying in one part of the region, Copper World’s apparel covers all-things-Michigan. Copper World also carries apparel by LazyOnes.
Overall, Voelker likes to maintain similar motifs every year while adding new graphics to the mix so repeat customers have something new to buy.
And during peak season from July Fourth through Labor Day, Voelker hustles to refold and restock tees. Fall foliage also brings tourists to town, and locals stop in for special gifts or to simply catch up throughout winter. During this slower time is when Voelker does most of her merch scouting and buying.
“People come in and want to tell you what’s going on in their lives,” Voelker relates. “It’s retail therapy. Winter is slower and people linger longer. I always say, ‘If we had tables, we would have people who would come, sit and visit for hours.’”
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