New retail options are opening in downtown Traverse City, several art galleries are coming to the area and other local businesses are on the move in The Ticker's latest look at retail and restaurant news.

Downtown
In the midst of celebrating 30 years in downtown Traverse City for Federico’s Design Jewelers, owner Laurie Wildman is preparing to open a new jewelry, lifestyle and beauty shop called Vita in the building’s lower level at 134 East Front Street.

The store will occupy the space previously home to Press On Juice and Venus TC. “When Venus left last year, the timing wasn’t right, but this time around I thought I better get (the space),” says Wildman. Vita will offer “a mini-department store feel with unique affordable luxury items, with an emphasis on beauty, jewelry and accessories along with a blow dry and makeup bar,” says Wildman. “The space will be modern, sleek and simple.” Vita will open in time for holiday shoppers on December 3, expanding into blow-dry and makeup services and private event bookings in 2017.

Also on Front Street, following a successful first summer at Front Row Centre, women’s boutique Pink Anchor is moving to the former Kay’s Apparel and Accessories space at 219 East Front Street. “We’ll be able to carry three times the amount of product, so I plan to offer a lot more sizes and styles,” says owner Jennifer Okragleski. “We’ll be taking on new brands, handbag lines and upscale jewelry lines.” The store plans to open in its new space on Black Friday (November 25) at 9am.

The new Higher Art Gallery at 126 Union Street is also targeting a Black Friday opening. Owner Shanny Brooke and partner Pam Johnson aim to offer “what many will consider Traverse City’s first contemporary art gallery,” according to the duo’s website. “Higher Art Gallery is proud to bring a new point of view…giving a voice to a diverse range of artists in style and medium.” The gallery, which already lists nearly three dozen represented artists, plans to offer exhibitions, workshops and special events.

Also on Union Street, Jason Pine and Aneta Michalczuk will host a “Grand Opening Game Night” this Sunday (November 6) from 3pm-6pm for their new Professor Qwbli’s Play-Based Learning Center. Located at 406 South Union Street, the family-focused center will offer after-school programs, educator workshops, learning resources, and children’s and family events, including “Pizza & Play Date Nights” every Friday from 6-9pm in which parents can drop off kids ages 5-14 for a supervised evening of pizza and “brain-boosting” fun.

Downtown's City Opera House, meanwhile, has completed a series of renovations on the venue's third floor, which includes a new 500-square foot meeting space called the John and Mary Melvin Overture Room. The facility can accommodate up to 32 people, offers catering services and can be rented out for private events. The remodel also introduced new public restrooms to the third floor, which COH – which has long struggled with restroom lines during busy events – anticipates “will be the most celebrated part of the renovations.”

Finally, the Warehouse District’s The Coin Slot is on the prowl for a new home. After a first summer season next to The River Outfitters on Garland Street, owners Scott and Erica Pierson have moved out of the building and are “looking for a new space,” according to Scott. “We will reopen as soon as something becomes available.”

The Village At Grand Traverse Commons
The owners of Elf (eat, learn, frolic) at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons have temporarily closed the children’s play center and café. “We’re exploring some changes to the facility and some new offerings, including drop-off and date night daycare,” says co-owner Ellen Fred. “Anything with daycare licensing requires us to make some construction changes, so we’re exploring that now.” Fred says the company hopes to reopen by early December with expanded offerings.

Also at The Village, husband-and-wife duo Jamie and Andrew Kidwell-Brix are nearing an opening date for their 10-barrel brewhouse Earthern Ales in Building 60. “We’re making beer right now,” says Jamie. “We are expecting to open in late November or early December.”

In Other News…
Viki Simons is hosting a grand opening for her new Hang Workshop at 734 Woodmere Avenue November 19 from 2-5pm. Described as “the trendiest sip-and-paint studio in northern Michigan,” the shop will offer a variety of DIY craft, home trend and make-it-take-it projects, plus public and private class offerings and events.

Also on November 19, Chuck and Cathleen Thayer are planning a grand opening for Inspire Art Gallery TC from 10am-5pm in Leelanau Studios on Cherry Bend Road. The event will feature fall-themed refreshments and meet-and-greet opportunities with local and regional artists, who will be the focus of the gallery’s space.

Belle Tire Distributors has reached an agreement to acquire their sole Traverse City franchise location at 2825 US-31. The deal will result in renovations to the exterior and interior of the store to be completed by spring 2017, as well as expanded service and product offerings. Local franchise owner Bernie Jackson will still continue to be involved in store operations, according to a company release.

Medical cannabis collective Superior Genetics of Northern Michigan opened last Friday at 207 Circle Avenue near Munson Medical Center. Co-owner Michael Freund says the business will assist patients “with a variety of ailments to obtain medical cannabis in a professional and safe setting” and provide patients “with access to an MD who may provide licenses to those with a qualifying illness.”

Following a several-month absence after closing last spring at 149 East Front Street (now home to Mama Lu’s), Zakey’s Middle Eastern Cuisine owner Nabiel Musleh has relaunched as Hayat’s Zakey Kitchen at 1331 South Airport Road in Hillside Plaza. The new restaurant, which officially opened its doors last week, offers a similar menu as its past iteration, along with an expanded carry-out business.

Finally, The Little Fleet has announced its fall/winter lineup for LTO (Limited Time Only), an indoor food truck that acts as a monthly pop-up restaurant for up-and-coming chefs and restaurateurs. The lineup is as follows:
November: Seafood Driven from Ann Arbor
December: Chef Kim Ryan of Hell's Kitchen
February: Amor Comida with Michelle Rodriquez
Chefs are given complete creative control over their menus and concepts for the month. Interested in participating? Email here.