Grand Re-Openings, Updates, Moves and Expansion Around TC

New Again
A popular downstate coffee franchise soon will be making its way back to Traverse City. Biggby Coffee is returning to its former location at 1535 South Division Street in Kid’s Creek Plaza, where it sold cups of joe from 2002 until 2009, after which a branch of Aroma’s Coffee & Tea took over the space.

The TC Biggby franchisee? Former MSU and NHL hockey player Kip Miller, who tells The Ticker he’s hoping to re-open Biggby in early December and hire up to 20 employees. “It’s a good business, a growing business,” he says. “There’s a lot of good coffee competition in Traverse City.”

A spokewoman for Aroma’s declined to say whether the shop planned to relocate to another location or simply close. There is another Aroma’s in Traverse City, located on the ground floor of the Bayview Professional Center, south of M-72, across of West Grand Traverse Bay.

Double Reps
Construction has started on Anytime Fitness’ second Traverse City location, in developer Tom McIntyre’s East Bay Plaza, also home to Dunham’s Sports and Joanne Fabrics. The roughly 5,600-square-foot facility will take over the space formerly occupied by All Prepared and Grand Traverse Bagel and Bakery, bringing the total occupancy of East Bay Plaza to 100 percent. The gym will be open 24 hours a day, feature strength training and cardio equipment, as well as tanning booths and group fitness classes.

General manager Tracy Romzek tells The Ticker that gym staff hopes to open the new location by early next year and will begin selling memberships at discounted rates on Black Friday. Anytime Fitness’ west side location, in Copper Ridge, opened almost six years ago.

Beat It
A new tenant has nabbed the sweet Boardman Lake overlook that Grand Traverse Area Right to Life vacated in September: The Beat Lab. Owner and musician Brad Novak and his staff, who offer lessons for aspiring drummers, guitarists, bass players and vocalists, moved the business to the Cass Road location to accommodate the business’ growth. “We’re rolling out new classes in January for pre-school kids and parents, and another class for playing the ukulele,” he says. The Beat Lab is located at 3886 Cass Road; Grand Traverse Area Right to Life can be found on 1129 East Eighth St.

Moving In, Spiffing Up
Adding to the slow but steady improvement of Eighth Street: Two neighboring businesses, Mint on Card, which opened its doors last week following a total exterior makeover at 511 East Eighth Street, and Edward Freund Jewelry Design, which is finishing up some exterior renovations that include new siding and a new sign. Freund says he’s updating his longtime shop to stand out in what he calls a “forgotten” area of the city that’s been put on the “back burner” by local leaders.

Mint on Card comes to its location after outgrowing its former digs on West Front Street. The store sells high-end ball jointed dolls, which are customizable, have realistic moving parts, and can cost as much as $1,150. Owners Jim and Lindsey Chan tell The Ticker the move comes just in time for the holiday season; in addition to their usual inventory, they’ll also sell rare Star Wars-themed items that aren’t available in big box stores.

Platinum Move
CC Fine Jewelry, formally known as Coins & Collectibles, is leaving its location in the Cherryland Center to move to a larger location, 1045 Garfield Ave., once home to Lauren Hanna Interiors. Store staff tells The Ticker that work on the new store is underway; the aim is for a December opening.