The Ticker caught wind of two new eateries opening in downtown Traverse City, and caught up with other restaurateurs tackling fall expansions and redos.

Dan Kelly, owner of the successful Catering by Kelly’s, is opening his own restaurant, The Bay Leaf, in the former Catch Island Grill space in early December.

“The whole concept will be country/rustic cuisine – simple. Not mashed potatoes, but simple European-style cuisine with a local flair,” says manager Denny Fitzpatrick, former partner in Wicksall Distributors.

Along with a full bar, they’ll carry as many local microbrews as possible. The interior has been gutted and lightened up with maple wood and antique sage paint.

“It’ll be a step up, but casual,” Fitzpatrick says. “We want that warm, home feeling so that you can come in wearing Levi’s or a suit—whatever. We’re very excited.”

Fitzpatrick owned the Wine Country Market and then did wine and restaurant consulting before Kelly called him out of semi-retirement to run the restaurant.
The deets: Opening slated for Dec. 3; currently hiring. 120 S. Park St., 421-5912

Local chef and baker Ralph Humes is planning to open his new take-out food venture before the end of the year in Traverse City’s “Little Bohemia” neighborhood.

A sandwich and dessert shop, Sweet Alchemy Lounge & Café will be housed in the former Coddington Cleaners building on Maple Street behind Lil Bo Pub & Grille.

Humes was a partner in Old Town’s Soul Hole before leaving the restaurant last summer. He’s now teamed up with Pearl and Pete Brown, owners of the bread company, Old Mission Multigrain.

He’ll use as many local ingredients as possible and his smoked and cured meats will be staples on many of the sandwiches.

In the Regatta building at Eighth and Cass in downtown Traverse City, Swiches Deli has scooped up 400 square feet of space next door that used to house The Freeze, increasing its seating from 13 to 40.

“We’re packed to the gills at lunch time,” says Marykate Rieck.
The deets: 2415 Cass St., 94S-WICH (947-9424). Hours are now Monday through Friday 10-6, and Saturday 11-3 until “customers are out and about again.”

At the Town Club in Elk Rapids, Brendan Burke has replaced the 12-year-old, dark gray carpeting with hardwood flooring and ceramic tile, and had the booths reupholstered. The interior will be repainted in January.

"It’s changing the whole look of the bar,” says Burke, who learned the ins and outs of the lounge business from his brother, U & I Lounge owner Stan Burke.
The deets: 133 River St., 264-9914