Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Committee believe either business would fit in community and old Fenton Fire Hall.
It's down to the final two: The next tenant for the Old Fenton Fire Hall will be the owners of Clarkston Union or the Arbor Brewing Company. Fenton Downtown Development Authority members Tom Bertschy, DDA Vice Chairman Jim Saule and DDA member Doug James all chose the two business and said they would be a great fit for Fenton. "All were well qualified, but two stood out in my mind," Saule said. "A lot of good community involvement is important for Fenton. Their menu's spoke as well." 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 group hopes to have decisions finalized by the DDA meeting on …
42.795068
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201 S Leroy St, Fenton, MI
Old Fenton Fire Hall
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Fenton Fire Hall selection committee conducted interview Tuesday.
Taking old buildings and turning them into destinations with great food worked for owners at the Clarkston Union and the Union Woodshop in Clarkston. Now they hope to do the same thing for Fenton. "We think there is no better way to preserve a great building than a restaurant that benefits the community," stated Curt Catallo, owner of Union Joints. "The best thing you can provide is something people can't get anywhere else." He said the focus would be comfort food, that people would be familiar with, but still be surprised by. The plans call for an open fire pit kitchen and 60 beers on tap visible through a glass window. The menu would include the Union’s famous macaroni and cheese, customized with bacon and other items. It also plans to …
42.795068
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201 S Leroy St, Fenton, MI
Old Fenton Fire Hall
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Fenton Fire Hall selection committee conducted interview Tuesday.
Arbor Brewing Company and Corner Brewery owners Rene and Matt Greff planned to take a break after launching a brewpub in southern India earlier this year, but they couldn't resist the opportunity to open up a new location at old Fenton Fire Hall. Rene Greff said the concept plan for Fenton includes a microbrewery and lounge upstairs with a private event space downstairs with bars on both levels and an open kitchen. They also plan to have three different outside seating areas, including a deck. They said they own a 1967 fire truck they plan to turn into a mobile draft system. Rene Greff said their Corner Brewery location in Ypsilanti was a project that resembled the old Fenton Fire Hall when they opened it in 2006. They took a long-vacant …
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201 S Leroy St, Fenton, MI
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Fenton Fire Hall selection committee conducted interview Tuesday
Restaurant owner Toni Vulaj said he can bring people into the old Fenton Fire Hall. "It is a historic location with a great amount of potential," said Vulaj, owner of Tavern 131 in Milford and Ciao Amici in Brighton. "I know how important a thriving downtown is. This could be a staple stone for Fenton." Vulaj said he planned to have patio for people to enjoy the view of downtown Fenton. He also stressed he wanted to incorporate the historics of the fire hall in his concept, perhaps using old artifacts. He said he even sees the location on a postcard some day. "People remember what a place was and it attracts people to the venue," Vulaj said. "You can have a great restaurant, but if you don't have a great concept people won't come The …
42.795068
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201 S Leroy St, Fenton, MI
Old Fenton Fire Hall
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Fenton Fire Hall selection committee conducted interview Tuesday.
Barbecue would be the name of the game for Drew Ciora and Rick Ghersi if they were to open a restaurant in the Fenton Fire Hall. Their Royal Oak-based eatery, Lockhart's BBQ, was named not for the proprietors, but for a town in Texas that is famous for its smoked meats. The restaurant has wooden tables set around an open kitchen. “Everything is made in-house with smoke,” Ciora said. “About 80 percent are recipes my mom and grandma used.” Dry-rubbed pork and beef ribs, beef brisket, pulled pork and chicken, all smoked over Michigan oak and hickory in a smoker imported from Texas, headlines the menu, costing between $12 and $14 for dinner. Four housemade barbecue sauces are on the tables and so is a jar of pickles. The business also focuses …
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201 S Leroy St, Fenton, MI
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Friday, May 18, 2012
Representatives from Arbor Brewing Company, Clarkston Union, Tavern 131 and Lockhart's BBQ will be interviewed on Tuesday.
The quest to fill the old Fenton fire hall is in full force. On Thursday, a Fenton Downtown Development Authority 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 …
42.795068
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201 S Leroy St, Fenton, MI
Old Fenton Fire Hall
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Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Fenton officials selected MBC in Sept. 2010 and terminated the lease April 26, 2012.
City of Fenton officials selected the Michigan Brewing Company to move into the old fire hall in September 2010. Michigan Brewing Company planned to open April 1, 2012, but construction never started and April 26, 2012 the lease between the two parties was terminated. Here is a look at the developments during that time. Examine the timeline by zooming in and out, and clicking the arrows to the right and left to view all of the events. You can click each event to find out more. You can read about all the Fenton Michigan Brewing Company project here.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
DDA Director Michael Burns said 5 to 10 microbreweries and restaurants have already expressed interest.
The Fenton Downtown Development Authority hopes to move fast on gaining a new tenant for the old Fenton fire hall. DDA Director Michael Burns said he hopes to have a business selected in the next 45 to 60 days and added he believes the city will have several options. He said city officials quickly received five to 10 phones calls from credible microbreweries and restaurants after the lease with Michigan Brewing Company was terminated Thursday. Burns wouldn’t reveal specifics on interested parties. He said the DDA would consider all proposals, but added the community has shown support for a microbrewery or restaurant and tavern. “We want to get it done fast,” Burns said. “I think we can do it.” Burns said he expects to have more proposals …
42.795068
-83.704811
201 S Leroy St, Fenton, MI
Old Fenton Fire Hall
/articles/dda-hopes-to-fill-old-fenton-fire-hall-quickly
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Lainie D.
4:30 pm on Monday, May 28, 2012
Whatever type of eatery/craft brewer ends up in the fire hall....I sure hope they have great food, service, prices & a welcoming atmosphere for all....would be nice to have an alternative to the Sagebrush Cantina (luv their food & priced right), the French Laundry (don't go there anymore....too pricey for what they offer), the Fenton Hotel (not much in the way of a menu/atmosphere)....Applebee's… more ›