Traverse City News and Events

Restaurants, Retail On the Move

Oct. 2, 2015

Peak tourism season is winding down, but the area’s restaurant and retail scene remains as busy as ever. Here are the latest openings, closings and moves happening across Traverse City.

Harbor 22 Closing
One of Traverse City’s few waterfront eateries is closing its doors Saturday. Harbor 22 – which opened in 2012 in the former Scott’s Harbor Grill building on West Bayshore Drive – is shutting down due to “unforeseen personal family circumstances,” according to owner Karen Simpson.

The restaurant is offering 20 percent off food and drinks for customers its last two days, as well as a retail wine liquidation sale. The company is also putting its food truck, Harbor on the Side, on the market.

Real estate agent Tom Krause represents the 7,000 square-foot restaurant property – which includes a liquor license – and says three interested buyers are already circling. “There are only a few restaurants on the water where you can eat and drink outside,” says Krause. “There’s really nothing else like it in this area.”

Subway Closed, New Simon Joseph Restaurant Planned
After a 23-year run, the Subway franchise at 136 Front Street closed its doors Wednesday. The Front Street Commons space won’t be vacant for long, however: Harvest’s Simon Joseph has signed a long-term lease with building owner Terry Beia, who says he’s “thrilled” to have the restaurateur in the arcade.

“We are planning on doing a new restaurant concept for Front Street,” Joseph confirms. The eatery will have the “same dedication to quality as Harvest and Roaming Harvest” – both of which will remain open – but with a “completely different twist,” says Joseph. More details will be released in the coming months, as Joseph renovates the space ahead of a targeted spring/summer 2016 opening.

New Owners, Name for Copper Falls
You can still get a steak at the newly renamed Copper Falls Rok & Grille at South Airport and Garfield roads. But that’s where the similarities with predecessor Copper Falls Steakhouse end, says new owner Tony Gojcaj. Gojcaj and wife Ophilia hope to replicate the success of their fine-dining Willow Tree restaurants in West Branch and Saginaw with a focus on contemporary American and Mediterranean cuisine.

The “Rok” portion of the name refers to lava rok grilling, a technique in which customers can prepare their own proteins on a sizzling hot stone delivered to their table. Restaurant hours will be extended – closing at 9:30pm on weekdays and 10:30pm on weekends – with Happy Hour available daily from 11am-6pm and 9pm-close. Gojcaj, who hosted a fundraiser for Munson Medical Center Thursday night as a way to “introduce our family to the community,” says he hopes to attract a younger, business-oriented clientele to the restaurant.

New Barrel Room/Brunch Buffet at Workshop/Remedy
Workshop Brewing Company owner Pete Kirkwood aims to kill two birds with one stone when he relocates adjacent brunch eatery The Remedy Cafe into the Workshop this weekend. “We’re trying to expand into barrel-aging beer and needed more room,” Kirkwood explains. “At the same time, I hate making people wait for breakfast…and if you had more than four people come in (at The Remedy), there was almost always a wait.”

Kirkwood’s solution: Convert The Remedy into a barreling room and launch a weekend Remedy brunch buffet – featuring popular menu items as well as a prime rib carving station – in the larger Workshop space. Brunch will run from 8am-1pm Saturday and Sunday, with occasional live music as well as beer, wine and cider available. The barrel room will play host to private events and pop-up nights.

Suttons Bay Ciders Open
Mark and Madelynn Korzon opened the doors to their new Suttons Bay Ciders last weekend on Hilltop Road near Ciccone Vineyard. The tasting room offers several hard ciders on tap – including varietals made from wild apples and maple syrup – as well as a deck with sweeping views of Grand Traverse Bay. Suttons Bay Ciders is open daily from 12-6pm.

Pup North, Elf Opening at The Commons
Popular e-retailer Pup North – which launched last fall offering “apparel and accessories designed for Michigan’s four-legged explorers” – is opening a brick-and-mortar store at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons. Co-founders Rachel Tompkins and Lauren Maxwell will host their grand opening October 17 in the Mercato in Building 50. “We’ll have an emphasis on Michigan-made, high-quality dog gifts and accessories such as leashes, toys and treats,” says Maxwell, who adds the store will also offer “human apparel” and goods.

Around the corner on the Village property, Melissa Whitman and Ellen Fred are shooting for an early December opening for their family-friendly café and play place Elf (Eat, Learn, Frolic). Located in the commercial redevelopment at Buildings 60 and 56 – also home to Oneupweb – Elf will offer a “healthy” café and coffee bar, children’s classes and events, indoor and outdoor play areas, and membership packages.

Wet Mitten Relocated
Wet Mitten Surf Shop is on the move again. After relocating from Park Street to 126 Union Street last October, the outdoor retailer moved to new digs last weekend – this time three doors down, at 118 Union Street (formerly Pleasanton Café).

“The space was too big for us,” manager Ansel Wooters says of the move. “This smaller location worked out way better. And now with us being on the corner…we’re getting better exposure from people driving by. It’s just going to be a better spot.”

Fitness Companies on the Move
A consortium of health and fitness-related businesses are now under one roof at 887 Lynch Drive off Garfield Road. Anchored by personal training center Fit My Life, the facility – which held a grand opening celebration September 26 – is home to Pilates studio East o2, All Star Nutrition, Grand Traverse Nutrition, Worden’s Fastpitch Training and sports photography/vinyl apparel store D’s Vinyl Graphics & More.

Also in Traverse City, Jessica Cavender has launched a local division of Fit4Mom, a national fitness program offering pre and post-natal exercise classes “for every stage of motherhood.” The company specializes in Stroller Strides, a stroller-based workout for mothers of small children. Classes and events take place throughout the week at various locations; a complete schedule is available here.

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