A Closer Look at Old Fenton Fire Hall Proposals

The quest to fill the old Fenton fire hall is in full force.

On Thursday, a committee chose to interview all four candidate businesses. Here is a look at the proposals from those businesses.

Tavern 131

Valenton Vulaj see the old Fenton fire hall as a location similar to his Tavern 131 in Milford.

“I see Fenton like Milford and Brighton, as a local community that needs an attractive local neighborhood bar and grill. As I tell my customers at any restaurant, whether at my Coney Island or Italian Restaurant, it’s like they said it on Cheers, ‘everyone wants to go where they know your name,'" his proposal stated.

He said the type of bar he opened in Milford would work in Fenton. Vulaj said he has bands on Friday and Saturday nights and around 20 beers on tap. The menu consists of sandwiches, burgers, pizza, steak, fish, chicken and more. Dinner entrees ranged from $8.99 to $22.99 with most burgers and sandwiches between $6.99 and $8.99.

Vulaj completely gutted the interior of the building in Milford and took the building down to studs and gave it a facelift.

“I get very  involved with the community, whether its supporting the local youth sports teams or the  local parades. I like the community to support me, so I need to support the community," he stated in the proposal.

The proposal stated he would hope to be open by Christmas.

“I have a  philosophy when it comes to remodeling, you do it once and you do it right,” he said.

Arbor Brewing Company and Corner Brewery

A proposal from Corner Brewery manager Rene Greff stated that the group completed a similar project to the old Fenton Fire Hall in Ypsilanti in 2006. They took a long-vacant warehouse and made it into a popular restaurant and brewery that includes a beer garden.

“It helped to redefine and reinvigourate the neighborhood,” Greff stated in the proposal.

The Arbor Brewing Company menu consists of everything from sandwiches to andouille and salmon etouffee and fettuccine aurora.

Owners expect the project could be done in six months after plan approval.

Lockhart's BBQ

The Lockhart’s BBQ proposal included plans for an “old firehouse” concept restaurant. The proposal listed a budget of $750,000 and plans to use only the first floor with some outdoor seating The concept of Lockhart’s BBQ is to bring southern barbeque to different areas, the proposal stated.

Clarkston Union and the Union Woodshop

“It is rare to find a building in a community that has what it takes to help build a community. The Fenton Firehouse is that kind of place,” stated Curt Catallo, owner of Union Joints in his proposal.

“Our intention is to create a one-of-a-kind, destination-caliber restaurant. Our proposed plan will transform a dormant structure at the intersection of N. LeRoy and Ellen Streets into a business that benefits, entertains and further enhances the community and surrounding businesses that choose.”

The Clarkston Union owners includes several Fenton Fire Hall logos in its their proposal.

“We believe that the concept that best suits the Fenton Fire Hall is the Fenton Fire Hall,” the proposal stated. “We feel that the idea of the Fenton Fire Hall should be kept true to the building’s original purpose.”

The plans call for an open fire pit kitchen and 60 beers on tap. The menu would include the Union’s famous macoroni and cheese, customized with bacon and other items. It also plans to enlist a Michigan brewer to create a Fenton Fire Hall Ale and perhaps create a Fenton Fire Hall Cider.

“It’s not just something we can see, it’s something we can taste,” the proposal stated.

What's next

Interviews will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday. After, a financial analysis of the final candidates will be conducted that may take up to 30 days to complete. A recommendation from the committee will then be made to the full DDA Board for approval. The schedule for interviews is as follows:

• 11 a.m. with the owners of Lockhart BBQ, the Detroit Beer Company and Royal Oak Brewing Company.
• 12 p.m. with the owners of Tavern 131 and Ciao Amici.
• 1:45 p.m. with the owners of Arbor Brewing Company.
• 2:45 p.m. with the owners of Union Joints (Clarkston Union and Union Woodshop).

These interviews are open to the public. The Fire Hall Selection Committee does hope to narrow the list of finalists following the interviews that afternoon.