Mama Lu’s, the owners of Flying Noodle, take over the Tuscan bistro space; More Restaurant, Retail News

The owners of Mama Lu’s and The Flying Noodle on Front Street are preparing to open a third restaurant, their first outside of downtown Traverse City: a new California-inspired eatery called The Burrow in the former Tuscan Bistro space in Greilickville. The ticker has an exclusive first look at the restaurant – including plans to offer take-out food and alcohol via an underground tunnel to boaters at the Elmwood Township Marina – as well as other restaurant and city news. retail throughout the region.

The Burrow
Mama Lu’s and The Flying Noodle owners Adrienne Brunette and John Larson – along with The Flying Noodle business partners Heather Dziedzic and Dallas Dziedzic – are aiming for the early summer opening of the new restaurant The Burrow in the former Tuscan Bistro space at 12930 South West Bay Shore Drive.

Brunette says the group took possession of the building in early January and have already begun major renovations to the space, which has been vacant since 2019. The partners are renting the space with the option – and the intention – of d eventually buy, according to Brunette. The Burrow, a playful nod to the building’s sunken location surrounded by high-rise property, will offer California-inspired American cuisine with a “fresher take on the classics” including fresh fish, plenty of salads starter, crab cakes, tuna crudo, steak frites, and sandwich options like French dip and spicy chicken sandwich. The restaurant will also offer a full pastry/dessert program, the first of the group’s three restaurants to offer one, as well as rotating specials. Brunette says the restaurant will be “energetic and optimistic” like the group’s other establishments; The Burrow will have a full bar with six taps, including beer, cider and a specialty cocktail tap, as well as “simple” wine and cocktail lists, she says.

“We want people to know that we cook everything from scratch, without feeling pretentious,” says Brunette, adding that the restaurant nearly doubles the size of the kitchen and brings it into the dining room as a concept kitchen. opened. The interior is updated to match the coastal theme, with glossy white walls, green tiles, and warm brass accents. The interior seats 85 inside – including a wraparound bar for 22 – plus another 36 on the outdoor terrace.

The Burrow plans to take full advantage of its proximity to Elmwood Township Marina and West Grand Traverse Bay across the street on M-22. An underground tunnel connects the restaurant to the marina, and Brunette says the company will have a dedicated courier to bring takeout food and beer/wine to boaters. The restaurant will offer lunch and dinner service five days a week, with the business – like Mama Lu’s and The Flying Noodle – closed on Sundays and Mondays.

The decision to remain closed two days a week so that staff can take breaks, as well as the decision to launch a third restaurant, are the two guiding principles of Honest Hospitality, which serves as an umbrella company for the restaurants. Brunette says opening more restaurants – which the group plans to continue to do locally – offers staff the opportunity to move up the corporate ladder and into bigger roles. The current general manager of Mama Lu’s, for example, started out as a dishwasher, says Brunette. This growth model has proven effective in retaining employees, with Brunette saying she has no concerns hiring for the new restaurant despite the local labor shortage. “We have people on our team ready to grow beyond their current roles, and to do that as a company, we need to continue to create space for them to grow,” she says.

Other local business openings, closings and relocations…
Several retail changes are underway in Elk Rapids, according to Downtown Elk Rapids Association President Karen Simpson. Simpson recently finished renovating his business Cellar 152including an expanded kitchen and “more efficient workspace”, while The flour pot bakery also underwent a renovation update and added cafe sales. “Wildflower soap factory going through a little renovation right now, and we have a new store – a flower shop – coming for spring working on their space where Java Jones used to be,” Simpson says. Swimwear shop swim towards you is expanding and renovating in preparation for a spring reopening, while the Elk Rapids General Store deploys a new name (River Street Market) and concept (a specialty grocery store with take-out catering) this month. Bayfront Beach and Bike also opening a second location in Elk Rapids at 111 Dexter Street, which will house bike, e-bike and paddleboard rentals. The company’s outlet will remain open at 130 River Street, according to owner Shaun Quinn.

Pet Supplies More opened a new location at 3180 West South Airport Road in the former Pier One Imports space next to the Grand Traverse Mall. The store is operated by franchisee Eric Lundquist and offers curbside pickup and local delivery of pet supplies, grooming services, self-service dog wash stations and a bakery with treats for pets. pets. The store is open Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Two well-known local health and wellness businesses are in the process of relocating. Living Light Massage will be closed March 26-29 to relocate from its current State Street location to new digs at 214 North Division Street. The business will reopen on March 30 in the new building. fitness studio LUXBODY, which previously operated on the top floor of Seven Monks Taproom, held a grand opening party on Saturday to celebrate its new location at 708 Randolph Street. The company specializes in 30-minute HIIT classes for all fitness levels.

new restaurant Glizzy’s Coney Dogs opened this weekend in The Coin Slot building on East Front Street. The company offers a variety of house specialties and classic coney dogs including Koegel’s Viennese hot dogs and a house-made coney sauce similar to a Flint-style coney. A vegan coney, sides including fries and rangoons, and a variety of lemonade flavors are also on the menu. Online ordering is available at GlizzysTC.com.

Floral shop Lunar gardens thrives in the Mercato at Village Grand Traverse Commons. According to a Facebook post from the company, the company is adding a second space in the building that will go into the current B50 The village store location, with B50 moving to an adjacent space. Moonstruck Garden’s second space will feature a dried flower bar, expanded garden items including craft pot brushes, organic seeds, hand tools and garden art, and a room for classes crown making.

Grand Crossing Games is moving from its current space at 974 West South Airport Road around the corner to the Cherryland Center, moving into a vacant space next to the former Kmart store. The company plans to be fully operational on May 1 in the new space, which will offer an additional 600 square feet of retail space and expanded parking options.

Ultimately, Send brothers farm closes in Williamsburg on March 26. Brothers Eric, Mark and Marty Send posted on Facebook that they have sold their storefront, although they will continue to sell larger quantities (over 20 bags or bales) of feed and hay directly from their store. cultivate. Too, Buzzelli Foods temporarily closing its doors this spring in Oleson’s Plaza East. The shutdown will begin Friday (March 25) and last until mid-May, when “we will have a new schedule as we ramp up mozzarella production for farmers’ markets,” according to a company post.