A new soul food restaurant is opening in the former Bahia's location on Union Street, and longtime local food truck Steve's Smokin' BBQ is opening a brick-and-mortar location on Garfield Avenue (along with sister restaurant Firebird Pizza), with even more businesses on the move in The Ticker's latest roundup of restaurant and retail news.
Bushells
Restaurateur Andre Bushell, co-owner of Foundry Craft Grillery and Dore Loco Taco, will open a new soul food restaurant in the former Bahia space at 127 South Union Street.
Bushel and his wife, Kelsey, plan to have a soft opening for Bushel's Kitchen + Cocktails next week. “We felt it was time to create a space that represents our childhood and Black culture and diversify the downtown area,” Bushel said. “Growing up as an African-American boy, I was deeply influenced by the rich culinary tradition and strong sense of community that soul food embodies.” Based on Bushel's family recipes, the menu includes “classics like collard greens, yams, fried chicken and oxtail, with each dish telling a story of tradition and love,” he said.
Bushell's will also offer a selection of mocktails, as well as a craft cocktail menu. The interior renovation is aimed at “creating a cozy atmosphere where guests can relax, indulge, and share laughs with friends and family,” Bushell says. “Our goal is to provide more than just a dining experience. We want to provide an immersive atmosphere as well.” Soft opening hours will be from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm Wednesday through Sunday.
Steve's Smokin' BBQ & Firebird Pizza
Steve's Smokin' BBQ, a staple at events like the National Cherry Festival and the Northwestern Michigan Fair since 2001, is set to open a new brick-and-mortar location in the former Eastfield Party Store space at 831 South Garfield Avenue on July 15. Father-and-son duo Steve and Logan Rundell will also open a sister restaurant called Firebird Pizza in the same location. The two fast-casual restaurants will have separate ordering areas but share a dining room. Since the Rundells acquired the property in 2019, the space has undergone extensive renovations to prepare it for restaurant use.
Steve's Smokin' BBQ will feature many favorites, including truck-delivered pulled pork, beef brisket, ribs with St. Louis-style dry rub, chicken and weekly turkey legs, as well as new menu items like smoked sausage. Firebird Pizza will serve 10- to 11-inch Neapolitan-style pizzas baked to order in a brick oven. Logan Rundell said customers can customize their toppings and optional “dressing finishers.” Scheduled hours are Monday through Saturday (closed Sunday), 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Many more openings, closings and moves…
Thanks to loyal customers who didn't want to see their favorite places disappear, two local businesses have been revived. Adam Schraufnagel and his wife, Samantha Bissell, have partnered with Becky Barker, former manager of Cast Iron Kitchen on US-31 in Chums Corner, to reopen a restaurant in the building called The Local's Place. “We both still have full-time jobs, but we're just reopening this place out of love for Becky and the staff that was here before,” Schraufnagel says. “I was a regular customer that came every day. Before this job, I'd never spent a day in the restaurant industry, not as a customer.” He adds that the three founded their new company “just on the basis of good food, good people and good prices.” The Local's Place is open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
After Solitude & Wellness Spa announced it was closing its location at 111 East Front Street earlier this year, former owners Matt Davis and Sarah Ward recently revealed that “one of our favorite clients came to our rescue with sheer determination and tenacity.” Sara Lee Sullivan has since purchased and reopened the business, along with partner and co-owner Andy Marek. “We hope it will be such a smooth and seamless transition that no one will notice there's been a change of ownership,” the new owners wrote on social media.
Also on Front Street, Kari Jansen opened Poppy and Someday, a new spa, boutique and gathering space next to Paesano's. The space offers Ayurvedic massage services, Reiki and sound therapy treatments, handcrafted herbal beauty blends, ceramic products and more. The retail boutique and spa is open Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m. and by appointment at other times. At 108 East Front Street, Outpost TC has reopened after a few months of closure for renovations. The café serves coffee, pastries, sandwiches, wine and sweet treats Thursday through Monday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and plans to expand its hours and menu soon. Just outside downtown, on Bay Street near the M-72/M-22 intersection, Frozen Concoctions truck owner Ben Will serves New Zealand-style ice cream (also known as real fruit ice cream) almost every day of the week, unless he's serving off-site for a special event.
Elsewhere in the downtown area, Monica and John Steen have launched a new business called Romero Baking Company. This bakery stand is open daily from 7am to 9:30pm at 811 South Union Street. Customers can pick up a variety of treats, including specialty cookies, scones, “secret chex mixes,” and marshmallow squares, and can pay with cash or Venmo. The lineup of currently available treats is posted on the company's Facebook page. Those looking for baked goods should also check out Cafe Lobdell's this summer, located on the second floor of NMC's Great Lakes Culinary Institute on East Front Street. The cafe is open, no reservations necessary, from 7:30am to 11am Tuesdays to Thursdays, June 25th to July 31st (closed July 4th). Culinary students will be serving up pastries, quiches, yogurt parfaits, breakfast bowls, specialty coffee drinks, and more.
A new dog bar has opened at Chum's Corner, 4277 Village Park Drive near Turtle Creek Stadium. Joy and Dan Goodchild are owners of K&A Hop Dogs, named after their beloved dogs Koda and Abby, and it serves as a year-round social hangout for dogs and their owners. The facility features a no-leash area for dogs only, a spacious outdoor area, and an indoor pub with craft beer, wine, cider, specialty spirits, and non-alcoholic drinks. “Like many others, we've been to various dog parks, but we wanted more for our dogs, especially to be safe,” says Joy Goodchild. Vaccinations and socialization are mandatory for entry. K&A Hop Dogs is open Monday-Thursday 2pm-10pm and Friday-Saturday 12pm-11pm (closed Sundays), with special offerings planned, including a Paint and Sip event in July and a draft beer of Rescue Ale to support Michigan rescues. Various dog memberships are available. Admission is free for humans, except for ticketed events.
Kingsley Local Brewing added a food truck this summer to increase dining options on-site. Menu options include smash burgers, quesadillas, triple cheese mac and sandwiches. Also in the village, Kingsley Dance Company, which started with 30 kids in 2019 and has since grown more than double, is moving this month to a larger location at 100 Clark Street. The new building includes a reception room and two dance rooms, one of which can be used for events and rentals. A grand opening ceremony will be held June 27 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Several local businesses are experiencing changes in ownership and operations. Dilbert's Cafe on US-31 in Interlochen is under new ownership, with Nick and Hannah Schwartz taking over the reins and planning to maintain the restaurant's popular “home cooking” and new daily menu specials. Firefly and Bubba's co-founder Jeff Wiltse has sold his stake in the restaurants to longtime general managers Brad Patterson (Bubba's) and Travis Baird (Firefly). Co-founder Trish Sawyer will remain as CFO/Treasurer, and Mindy Tice has purchased minority shares in both restaurants.
Traverse City Country Club just completed a six-month, $3 million renovation of its main dining room. “We are excited to offer our members an elevated dining experience that includes a private dining room, renovated lounge and grill, and best of all, an exclusive fine dining experience not found in Traverse City,” the club said in a release. More than 1,200 members approved the renovations to “continue the club's rich history for years to come,” according to the release.
Make Believe Pizza and Oriana have both expanded their hours and offerings. Make Believe Pizza, located inside West Side Beverage on West Front Street, is offering pizza by the slice for lunch from 11am to 2pm Thursday through Saturday, as well as dinner service. Dinner service focuses on whole pies, which can be pre-ordered from 10am to 2pm and available for carryout from 4pm to 8pm. Oriana announced that all culinary departments, including the Tenth Street Café, Hot Bar, West Coffee Bar, West Salad Bar and culinary departments, are now open seven days a week from 8am to 6pm.
Finally, two local businesses are closing their doors. Grand Traverse Salad Company recently suddenly closed on South Airport Road, with the owners stating on social media that they have “decided to close the restaurant and enjoy a much-needed break.” Scrubs R Us is hosting a closing-out sale on Long Lake Road. Hours are Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A closing date is expected to be announced soon.
