It’s the height of Traverse City’s busy season – and with a big helping of openings and closings, the local business scene shows no signs of slowing down. The Ticker checks in on the latest restaurant and retail news.
Restaurant
After several months of preparation, Lulu’s and Siren Hall veterans Henry and Mindy Bisson are ready to open the doors to their own establishment. Smoke and Porter Public House – a “new American smokehouse where farm to table meets the firepit” – will open to the public for dinner service from 5-10pm beginning tomorrow (Tuesday) at 1752 US-31, formerly home to Bamboo Garden 1.
In addition to an extensive wine and beer list, the restaurant will offer an upscale cocktail menu and “family supper from the pit,” a family-style serving of smoked meats (such as pork ribs, brisket, wood-roasted lamb and smoked chicken) with sides that rotates on a daily basis.
Down US-31 to the west, developer Tom McIntyre of East Bay Plaza says a new BIGGBY COFFEE will open in the commercial park by August 1. Also in the plaza, a new Domino’s Pizza location will open “sometime between August 4 and 11,” says McIntyre.
In Grand Traverse Mall, business partners Michael Paggeot and Randy Kelley are preparing to take over Cool Beans Coffee on August 12. “We plan to continue with the current menu,” says Paggeot, “but also have plans to offer daily/weekly specials to keep the mall employees and frequent mall shoppers from getting bored with the food choices.” Paggeot, who owns an online-only cupcake business called MR Cupcake, will sell his cupcakes at the coffee shop, along with “other baked goods and homemade goodies.”
In Leelanau County, two more players are entering the region’s craft beverage scene. Mark and Madelynn Korzon will open Suttons Bay Cider “within the next month” on Hilltop Road near Ciccone Vineyard. The couple plans to offer three to four varietals of hard cider to start, including a “maple syrup-infused” batch and another made from wild apples. “We have a big deck and tasting room with spectacular views overlooking West Bay, Power Island and our orchards,” says Mark. On-tap cider will be available by the glass, half-growler and growler.
Partners Deven Larrance and Joel Mulder – who operate a “100 percent organic” hops farm in Leelanau County – are in the midst of constructing Crooked Barn Brewing on East Harrys Road. “We were looking for a way to do some value-added products for our hops,” explains Larrance. While still 6-12 months out from brewing beer, Crooked Barn now has a cold-brewed, nitrogen-tapped coffee called Hoppin' Java on tap at Mackinaw Brewing Company. “It’s on draft like a beer and hopped like a beer, but it’s 100 percent alcohol-free,” says Larrance. “It’s coffee with a taste of stout.”
Some area restaurants are also closing their doors. Full Moon Pizza Company on East Front Street is no longer operational as of July 11, and Mancino’s Pizza & Grinders has shuttered its location on Munson Avenue (Luigi’s). However, pizza will soon return to the site: That’sa Pizza co-owner Joe Settle confirms to The Ticker the company has purchased the building and will be opening its fourth location there in “early September.”
Retail
On the retail front, Ohio-based real estate firm OnSite Retail Group has purchased the former Sound Room building at 3275 South Airport Road. Sources familiar with the deal say Men’s Warehouse is planning to relocate its operations to the 4,000 square-foot building from Grand Traverse Mall across the street.
Men’s and women’s clothing will also be available at the newly opened Evergreen Consignment on Cherry Bend Road in the former Norris Elementary School building. Owner Jaffe Rae Davis says the store carries “everything from practical to pretty,” including furniture, housewares, jewelry, sporting goods and specialty items like camping gear and canning supplies. The store is open Monday-Friday from 10am-5pm.
In health and beauty news, after Blooming Lotus Yoga & Wellness closed June 28, Zumba instructor Karen McLain has opened her own Interlochen studio, Cake Fitness, at 2500 M-137. Classes are available Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 6pm, and Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 9:30am. Drop-ins are $7, with a six-class pack available for $30 or 11-pack for $50.
TC’s Cosmetic Skin & Laser Center is also expanding. Traverse Beauty Bar – which will offer “brow sculpting and skincare services” – is slated to open soon at 101 North Park Street. A company representative said the project is still “in the build-out” stage but did not provide an official open date.
Finally, One of A Kind Cycle at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons is closing its doors. A message on the company’s Facebook page Saturday said that due to an “out-of-state opportunity,” the bike shop will be closing permanently. “We wish to thank you for all the support, kindness, and fun we have had over the last four years,” the message stated.
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