Stone Hound Brewing Company is taking over the former McLain building at 750 East Eight Street, targeting an early summer opening for a second local taproom with a kitchen and basement lounge with pinball and arcade games. Two Sons Pizza – which is leaving The Coin Slot at the end of this month – is also coming to Eighth Street, targeting a late January opening inside Silver Spruce Brewing Company. The Ticker has the latest on these and numerous other restaurant/retail updates from around town.

Eighth Street
Seeking to build on the success of its Acme taproom on Bunker Hill Road, Stone Hound Brewing Company is preparing to open a second location in 2026 near downtown Traverse City.

Owner Brent Faber has signed a lease with an option to purchase the McLain building on East Eighth Street. Work inside the building has already begun ahead of a targeted May or June opening for the new location. “For the upstairs street level, we want to keep the vibe very similar to the taproom in Acme,” Faber says. “We’re still working on the menu but thinking about bringing the greatest hits over: smash burgers, chicken burgers, wings, pretzels, things like that.”

Faber is targeting an “eighties basement” feel for the lower level with lounge furniture, pinball machines, stand-up arcade games, and possible pool tables. The bar will have TVs and show sports games, Faber says. He also plans to build an outdoor west-facing deck, though is still deciding if that will be part of the opening or a future phase of construction. Stone Hound will have a small 3.5-barrel system for the downtown location offering experimental brews but will produce most of its beer in Acme for the new spot.

Faber says he’s been looking to expand downtown for some time, considering options from the former Mackinaw Brewing building to the former Fresh Coast Beer Works space. Eighth Street ultimately was the right fit, he says. “It’s very visible and there are 26 parking spots, so plenty of parking,” he says, adding he hopes to be a “bridge” between Boardman Lake breweries like Filling Station, Silver Spruce, Rare Bird, and Right Brain and Tank Space further east on Eighth Street.  Stone Hound’s mug club, which has over 400 members, will be honored at both locations. While hours are still being determined, Faber hopes to be open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Also on Eighth Street, Two Sons Pizza is planning to open inside a newly renovated kitchen at Silver Spruce Brewing Company after finishing out its lease inside The Coin Slot at the end of this month. Owner Steve Tyson says he hopes to be open before the end of January in the new location, serving up the same popular New York-style pies along with new offerings including to-go salads and baked sandwiches like meatball parm, eggplant parm, and sausage and peppers. Tyson will turn over fried options that Two Sons currently offers – like French fries and zeppelis – to food truck Toby’s Dog House, which will continue operating in the Silver Spruce parking lot with a menu that includes hot dogs, gyros, tacos, and other bar bites.

Tyson is still determining his hours but notes that Two Sons has an exterior service window at Silver Spruce, meaning the restaurant can offer late-night pies outside of brewery hours. The new location is one of many changes for the business: Tyson recently opened a Two Sons pop-up in Grand Rapids and plans to soon expand there to two locations, one offering New York-style and one Midwest pizza. A large sports barcade is also planned for one of the sites.

Other restaurant and retail news…
Maxbauer Ace Hardware is expanding in Traverse City. The company announced Tuesday that it is taking over the former Joann Fabrics space in East Bay Plaza on Munson Avenue with a targeted February opening date. The company has three other Traverse City area locations including on West Front Street, Chums Corner, and Bunker Hill Road. Maxbauer Ace Hardware is hiring now for the new location.

Also on the east side, Bayside Market is under new ownership at 1532 US-31. Dan and Kim Summers have partnered with Francisco’s Market & Deli owners Michael Krenzke and Adam Inman to purchase Bayside Market from owner Rick Summers. The four partners will operate the business as Francisco’s Bayside Market, continuing to offer Bayside classics like meat, seafood, and BBQ Fridays with Francisco’s offerings like pizza, breakfast, and hot soups. Inman tells The Ticker the partners, who took over on December 8, are installing equipment like pizza ovens and hot cases with a goal of rolling out the new offerings by the start of the year.

Also changing hands is the Flour Pot Bakery and Coffeshop on River Street in Elk Rapids, recently purchased by Jill and Scott Thomas from Rob and Lindsey Rebhan. The Thomases, who own coffee brands Freedom Hill Coffee Roasters and Michigander Coffee Co., said they plan to “put our hearts into every part of this bakery, making delicious things and providing you with coffee we are really proud of.” The duo has maintained normal winter hours at the bakery through the transition of Thursday-Saturday 7am-2pm. A few doors down, River Street Market owners Shaun and Raven Quinn recently announced they have sold the business, thanking customers in a Facebook post for their support over the years. The company’s last day open will be Tuesday (December 23). The new owners/plans for the space haven’t yet been announced.

Traverse City commissioners Monday approved a new liquor license for Blue Goat Wine & Provisions that will allow the wine shop at 875 East Front to open an “intimate, boutique wine bar experience,” according to the application. The new bar area can accommodate 6-7 guests to start (with plans to expand to 10-12) enjoying Michigan and global wines and food pairings. “This is not a wine store with added seating, but rather a true wine bar experience that emphasizes responsible service, curated selections, and hospitality,” the application states.

New gastropub Acorn Kitchen has opened inside the Atomic Marketplace at 3344 Cass Road, home to Seismoto Coffee Bar and Nocturnal Bloom Brewing. Led by chef Zachary Anderson, the rotating menu features items like chicken and veggie shawarmas, smash burgers, short rib, soups and salads, and grab-and-go specialty breakfast sandwiches for Seismoto. A grand opening party is planned for Saturday (December 20) at 4:30pm featuring live music with Jimmy Olson, food, beer, coffee, and raffle prizes.

For the first year ever, Bardon’s Wonder Freeze is staying open year-round at 1100 East Front Street. The company will be open Thursday-Sunday 12pm-7pm with an extended menu, serving smoked barbecue Friday through Sunday. Lunch and dinner specials will include smoked brisket, baby back ribs, smoked twinkies, and a full array of sides. Bardon’s is also now offering both its ice cream and food menu through Door Dash. Further down the road on Munson Avenue, Kpochami announced it will close for 3-4 weeks in January to upgrade its hood, which will allow for an expanded menu. Also on the food front, Tank Space has launched a self-serve dehydrated ramen bar called Kumite Underground Noodles offering various noodle and topping options with hot water.

On the retail front, Traverse City’s Nolan’s Cigar Bar is expanding to Grand Rapids. The company bought Tuttle’s Select Cigars & Tobacco and are rebranding the business Nolan’s Cigar Lounge. Finally, another downtown Traverse City business is on the move. Hair salon Union and Mane recently announced it will be relocating across the street from its current location at 420 Union Street to a new space at 417 Union Street. “This new space isn’t just about walls, it’s about people,” the company posted. “With room to grow our team and expand our vision, moving across the street truly feels like the next chapter of the bigger plan.”