Mall Businesses on the Move, Mill District Plans Take Shape, More Retail/Restaurant News

Three of Garfield Township’s shopping centers – Logan’s Landing, the Grand Traverse Mall, and Cherryland Center – have changes underway. The Ticker has the latest, including more details on the new Mill District development on Boardman Lake.

Shopping Center Growth
A new outdoor gear consignment and retail shop is coming to Logan’s Landing this fall next to Vince’s Jewelry and the planned Short’s Brewing Company taproom.

Second Third First Hand (aka 231 Hand), founded by outdoor enthusiast Cari Lick, is “built around the idea that the best equipment already exists – it just needs the right second, or third, home,” she says. The store will offer “a curated mix of quality used outdoor gear accepted on consignment alongside a thoughtfully selected inventory of new products from small cottage and eco-conscious brands.”

Every aspect of the business will be “guided by a commitment to sustainability and community,” Lick says. Unsold items can be donated to support local outdoor-focused nonprofits. 231 Hand will focus on “affordable, reliable equipment that minimizes environmental impact” and “encourages outdoor exploration and connection,” Lick says.

Further up South Airport Road at the Grand Traverse Mall, Zhending Hu – whose family owns a massage parlor there – is opening a food court restaurant to be closer to his family. Hu is partnering with Jazmine Scott to launch Cluckery TC, with the duo targeting a mid-August opening. The restaurant will specialize in fried chicken sandwiches – classic and spicy – along with hand-battered chicken strips, fries, and sides. An industry vet at restaurants like Panda Express, Hu says he took six months to develop his own recipes after not being able to find a local fried chicken spot to his liking.

While acknowledging the mall’s decline, Hu feels optimistic about both its nostalgic appeal and potential revitalization with major new tenants coming on board. “I think the mall is part of a lot of people’s memories,” he says. “One thing it seemed like we could do for the community is create more memories and bring people back.”

Several changes are underway at the Cherryland Center. Michigan-based Mediterranean chain Pita Way just opened its first Traverse City location in an outlot building next to Starbucks. The restaurant specializes in a “build-your-own” bowl concept along with options like curry and lentil soups. Posted hours are Monday-Saturday 10:30am-9pm and Sunday 11am-8pm.

K1 Speed, which said it was “temporarily closing” in early June but has yet to reopen, could soon be back in business. “We are currently in the midst of finalizing a new agreement, making the Traverse City location a corporate-owned center,” K1 Speed Public Relations Director Tom Abbott tells The Ticker. “We plan to have the Traverse City amusement center operating within the next couple of weeks and look forward to welcoming the community back onto the racetrack.”

Altitude Trampoline Park recently appeared before Garfield Township planning commissioners seeking a waiver on a mandate to install new sidewalk along South Airport Road. The sidewalk was a condition of their approval, though Altitude has since argued it shouldn’t be responsible as the tenant and it should fall to property owner Cherryland Center LLC. Planning commissioners denied the waiver. Garfield is now working with the property and business owners to get the sidewalk built, says Township Manager Chris Barsheff, with Altitude operating under a temporary certificate of occupancy until then.

Meanwhile, Two Brothers – a new dog park and café at the Cherryland Center – is still under construction and targeting a fall opening, the owners recently posted.

Mill District
Construction has started on the new Mill District project off Woodmere Avenue on Boardman Lake (pictured bottom right, rendering). While the listing is not live yet, condo sales are already underway, according to the project team. New details are also emerging on planned tenants, including a coffee shop called The Loop set to open in spring 2027. As previously announced, Brick Wheels will also move its new headquarters to the property from Eighth Street.

Brick Wheels owner Andy Weir recently received approval from city commissioners for a liquor license that will encompass the property, including a new restaurant. According to the application, it will provide “full food service with approximately 100-150 seats and will include both indoor and outdoor on a deck overlooking the surrounding site and trail corridor.” The beverage program “will emphasize Michigan-produced beers, wines, and spirits, highlighting regional producers and complementing the restaurant's food offerings.” Outdoor recreation retail sales and rentals are also planned.

More updates from across the region…
A new consignment furniture store has opened on US-31 next to Red Lobster. Curated Classics offers “quality furniture at reasonable prices” in a 5,000-square-foot gallery along with decorative accessories. Posted hours are Tuesday-Friday 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-3pm.

After a year of extensive reviews, Acme Township has approved a new Taco Bell location at the northeast corner of M-72 and US-31. The franchise will go in across three parcels that include a former bank drive-thru. Township approval emphasized that Taco Bell will be subject to enforcement if its drive-thru lines queue up past the site’s boundaries. The franchise appears to be moving quickly toward construction, as the company pulled a land use permit last week.

Traverse City Golf Performance Center has acquired Swing Theory, the four-bay indoor golf simulator facility at the corner of Four Mile/US-31. In addition to the existing TrackMan experience, TCGPC plans to offer 24/7 member access, PGA instruction, club fitting and demo opportunities, and a “curated retail experience” at the site.

Finally, several updates around downtown TC: The Pub has launched a new 2,000-square-foot private event space at Cass/Front called the Pub Annex. The space can seat more than 50 guests and is designed for private parties and rentals, plus overflow space for busy bar times. 

Lee Studio, home to the artwork and books of local owner Leslie Lee, has opened at 400 Cass Street in Old Town. The gallery offers “framed original plein air watercolor paintings, framed and unframed fine art reproductions, greeting cards, collectible stickers, coasters, micro puzzles, maps, and more.” Hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm.

On the real estate front, Nicolet National Bank is preparing to close on the purchase of three parcels on East Front Street next to the former Burger King site. The city recently approved rezoning the parcels, though Nicolet will still need to go through a new city special land use permit (SLUP) review for drive-thru properties. Realtor Scott Hardy says Nicolet plans to eventually consolidate its Traverse City locations at the property, a growing trend in banking.

On the other end of Front Street, demolition started last week on the former J&S Hamburg property, the site of a planned new mixed-use development called Bella Vita @302. Listings show condos ranging from nearly $2.2 million to almost $3.4 million. The first floor is planned to host a wine bar and retail shop.