The former Big Eazy Rhythm & Blues Grill property on the corner of Garfield and South Airport has a new owner.

Ian Simpson of Bellaire has closed on the property, confirms realtor Joe Omness of Northern Shores Realty, who represented Simpson in the sale.

Simpson, owner of Traverse Style LLC, was unavailable for comment. Omness said he wasn’t at liberty to discuss Simpson’s future plans for the 8,793 square-foot restaurant space, but The Ticker has confirmed that the liquor license formerly held by Big Eazy’s TC Ops Inc. is in the process of being transferred to Simpson’s company, Traverse Style LLC.

“As of Nov. 4, we sent a letter requesting final inspection by the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Department,” says Michigan Liquor Control Commission spokesperson Andrea Miller. “So, that’s what we’re waiting for. That would be the final step.”

No further clues come by way of Garfield Township officials. Though township commissioners approved a resolution to transfer ownership of the escrowed 2010 Class C liquor license to Traverse Style last August, supervisor Chuck Korn says the staff hasn’t seen any activity since – “no zoning requests – no anything.”

“We’re in the dark,” he says. “At that time, the board was very happy … someone would be re-establishing something there.”

The building has been empty since 2008, when the New Orleans-style grill was shuttered after four years of operation.

Griffin Properties of Southfield listed the site – which boasts an .84-acre parcel at Cherryland Center, a “huge kitchen” capable of “high volume or additional catering to boost sales,” and 200-plus parking spaces – for $750,000. Sources say the selling price was significantly less.

The reopening of a restaurant on the busy corner of South Airport and Garfield could be a boon to the township, which reported 140 retail, office and manufacturing closings in 2009.

Despite the closings, township officials report a “large increase” in building permits, construction values and fees collected this year.

One bright spot is Buffalo Wild Wings Grill and Bar. Construction of the sports bar/restaurant is well underway next to City Mac near the Grand Traverse Mall. Southfield-based Diversified Restaurant Holdings Inc. is on schedule to open the restaurant early next year, pending approval of a liquor license transfer from BD’s Mongolian Barbeque, former occupant of the space.

Michael Ansley, Diversified’s president/CEO, says his goal is to open 22 more BW3s in Michigan and Florida by 2017, while continuing to grow his Bagger Dave’s Legendary Burgers and Fries concept.

In downtown Traverse City, Dan Kelly’s new restaurant, The Bay Leaf, opened in the former Catch Island Grill space last weekend to “great reviews,” says its manager.

“We had a great turnout, and it went really well,” says Denny Fitzpatrick.

The wine bar carries 40 wines – 15 of them local – as well as half-glasses and wine flights, “so you can try three chardonnays with each appetizer, for example,” he says.

The European-style entrees, created by chef Adam McMarlin from Southern California, can be paired up with micro-brews from around the region and beyond. The dining room has been renovated and new kitchen equipment installed.