MANITOWOC - Folks living on the lakeshore will have several options to get some exercise while sipping on their favorite beer or wine. Read on for more on that, and other area business news.

Tavern on Wheels pedals into town

The Manitowoc Tavern on Wheels is a new pedal-powered vehicle providing bike and beer tours. The bike bar can hold up to 14 rides and is open for May-October bookings.

There are three tour options: a downtown pedal to bars and restaurant locations, weekend tours to Manitowoc craft breweries; and on select Wednesdays, a Midweek Matchup tour, where local kitchens will compete for prizes with riders serving as judges.

Tavern on Wheels has partnered with 15 local businesses and has its headquarters outside The Wharf, 606 Quay St. Visit ridetheMTW.com for information or to book a ride.

This bike joins another bike bar coming to town, the Manitour Pedalers. This pedal bar allows up to eight people to put their legs to work, pedaling from tavern to tavern, stopping to enjoy a beer or cocktail at each stop.

Manitour Pedalers owner and operator Stevens Alexis said he got the idea after seeing a bike bar in Madison.

The Manitour Pedalers will start tours at PetSkull Brewing Company, 1015 Buffalo St., and will make other stops around the downtown. It has eight seats with bike pedals and two without, plus a back bench. Rides should start in late April or early May, depending on weather. Learn more or book a tour at https://www.manitourpedalers.com/.

Intention Boutique open on Custer Street

A women’s clothing boutique has moved in where a work-attire shop once existed.

Annette Schisel, who owns Intention Boutique, 2710 Custer St., said she bought the building last year to have more space, better parking and increased foot traffic than at her former location on Eighth Street.

The owners of the former Workingman’s Friend on Custer Street announced in early summer last year they were going out of business. That business specialized in medical scrubs and other work-related clothing.

Schisel said she expressed interest in the site before the “for sale” sign was up.

“It’s just more visual here,” she told Streetwise. “With PDQ nearby and Walgreen’s down the street, people see us more.”

Intention sells a variety of women’s clothing, shoes, purses, jewelry and other accessories.

Her goal is to provide a one-on-one, personalized experience for shoppers, Schisel said.

“It’s all about the people and customizing for them,” she said. “I like to know them and what they like, so when something comes in, I can say ‘You know, I think Judy would really like this.’”

She sells clothing for women of all shapes and sizes, Schisel stressed.

“Sometimes when people hear ‘boutique’ they think of small or petite sizes,” she said. “But I also cater to plus-sized women. I think that’s important.”

The store is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and closed Sundays. Learn more on Facebook.

Holy Family closes birthing center

A decline in area births and an aging population in Manitowoc County led to the decision to close the birthing center at Froedtert Holy Family Memorial Hospital beginning June 1.

The hospital will continue to provide gynecology services, according to a news release from the health network. The release said demographic trends mean Holy Family can no longer sustain the volume of birth required to provide safe, high-quality care.

According to the release, nearly 60% of the population in and around Manitowoc County is older than 40, significantly higher than the national average. A spokesperson did not respond to a question about whether the move was made as part of HFM’s merger with Froedtert in January 2021.

“This has been a difficult and emotional decision,” said Tom Veeser, nurse supervisor and interim president at Holy Family, in the release. “But one that ensures we are able to provide the best, safest level of care possible to our patients long term.”

The hospital is working with other regional health care providers to transition care for women in the Manitowoc area who are pregnant or who may become pregnant.

Doctors, nurses and other staff affected by the change will be offered other positions within the Froedtert organization, the release said.

In 2021 — when Froedtert took over a majority share of Holy Family Memorial — a news release said HFM would operate as part of Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin network and will maintain its Catholic identity under the sole sponsorship of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Inc.

The partnership helps secure HFM’s future, providing the area’s largest health care provider with long-term clinical and financial stability, the release had said.

Read more business news:

• New subdivision: Manitowoc's first new subdivision since 2012 is being built near Lincoln Park. Here's what to know about the project.

• Fast food: Here are the fast-food and chain restaurants readers said they'd most like to see come to the Manitowoc area

• 2023 look ahead: Is 2023 the year for development at the former Mirro site in Manitowoc? Here are projects to watch in the new year.

Got a tip, question or comment for Streetwise Manitowoc? Contact reporter Patti Zarling at pzarling@gannett.com or call 920-606-2586. Follow her on Twitter @PGPattiZarling.

This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Manitowoc Tavern on Wheels to begin this spring at The Wharf bar