It’s almost high season for shoppers and diners in Traverse City, and businesses are ready. The Ticker brings you the latest:
New Eats
The latest news about restaurants is being driven by food trucks, both at The Little Fleet on Front Street and at an all-new "food truck park" popping up soon.
The Little Fleet has welcomed seven permanent food trucks to its lot for the upcoming outdoor dining season. Two of them are new: Daily Blend (opening this weekend) and White On Rice.
Daily Blend is the latest venture by local entrepreneur Troy Daily (TC Cycle Pub, TC Ale Trail and the Brew Bus) and wife Whitney. The “truck” was custom built in Oregon and is made to look like an old VW Westfalia bus. It will serve “blends and bowls,” says Troy Daily – hot bowls, salads, dips, smoothies and cold brew coffee. People can even “blend their own” smoothie or coffee drink by powering a bike blender – and can further personalize by adding a shot later.
Eric and Amy Kolden opened White On Rice after first introducing their sushi and Japanese classics over the winter at The Little Fleet.
New this summer, The Little Fleet will be showcasing a new and different truck every two weeks. That lineup includes: Sparks BBQ, Wings and Things, Betty’s Hot Dish, Pita Cruiser, Mi Fresh Start Food Truck, Food Baby, Happy’s Taco Shop.
Traverse City is also getting its second food truck “park” at the property slated for re-development across from the Open Space. Property owner Patti Mercer tells The Ticker she is in the process of lining up four to eight food trucks to operate across from the waterfront this summer. She says all the permitting is in place with the final electrical work being completed. It will open in and around the former Gilbert's building on Fri., May 29.
Finally, food truck fans looking for an adventure will find the Mary’s Asian Cuisine food truck parked at the Interlochen Farmers Market on some Sundays (9am-2pm) and at events around the area this summer.
In other food news, after a successful crowdfunding campaign that helped pave a planned move downtown to 120 S. Union (former home of House of Doggs), Edany BLT is staying put. Owners Eddie and Dani Walker tell The Ticker the move was "just too much" and they were also reluctant to lose the close contact they have with existing patrons.
"So we fixed up our location a little more, got some outdoor seating, picnic tables riverside and are planning on doing at least one free community pig roast out back behind our restaurant," the owners say.
Retail Roundup
Haystacks is opening a second location in downtown Traverse City at the former Cedar Creek Interiors in Old Town. Renovation work is underway, confirms General Manager Kelly Florip, with plans to be open by early to mid-June. It will offer a full line of Haystacks Brand items and a room for clearance items.
“We fell in love with Old Town and thought that they needed more businesses on that end of town,” says Florip, who adds the original Front Street location will be unchanged.
Michigan Artists Gallery is leaving Suttons Bay after 19 years and relocating to the 300 block of E. Front Street, across from the Larry C. Hardy Parking Deck. Owner Sue Ann Round says she will miss Suttons Bay, but recently moved back to Traverse City and is eager to get back to her roots, where she also anticipates more year-round business.
“Bryan Crough used to beg us to move the gallery to downtown, so I feel him smiling on this move,” Round says, adding that she’s targeting a mid- to late June opening.
Round adds that the building is challenging in terms of both the exterior and interior but she’s excited about “putting a pop into that block” by working with artists on the remodel.
The French Cat is now open at 544 E. Eighth Street, offering feline-exclusive grooming and boarding. Owner Kimberly Lawson is the only certified feline master groomer in northern Michigan.
Natural Life has opened in the Gallery of Shops at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa in Acme. This is the second store in the world for this brand, which sells casual clothing for girls and women, accessories, home décor and gifts. The company’s flagship store opened in Florida in January 2015. A grand opening is planned for this Sat., May 23.
Boardman River Browsers will open in mid-July at the former location of Auntie Pasta’s at Logan’s Landing. Vince Amroian, owner of the building as well as the adjacent Vince’s Fine Jewelers, is opening an auction house offering a “downsizing” venue to people selling homes and others with furniture and other goods. Amroian says he will both buy direct and do consignment deals.
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