Clarkston Union Owners Excited About Restaurant in Old Fenton Fire Hall

They want to open in seven to eight months; DDA chairman says project will link North LeRoy Street to Dibbleville.

When Fenton officials opened the Clarkston Union owners bids, Fenton Downtown Development Authority Director Michael Burns said it smelled like hickory. "We were convinced they stuck their bids in the smoker before they got here. (Catallo) denies it," Burns said. "Everything they've done has been A-1." The business partners for the planned Fenton Fire Hall restaurant, Ann Stevenson and Curt Catallo, owners of Clarkston Union, greeted the community at a press conference on the site of their future project Tuesday evening. A member of the audience said now they are known as "Curt and Ann of Clarkston Union," but in five years, they'll be "Curt and Ann of the Fenton Fire Hall." Against the backdrop of a 1930 fire engine owned by Fenton's …

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Meet the Old Fenton Fire Hall Candidates: Clarkston Union Owners Curt Catallo and Ann Stevenson

Family still lives above Union General Store, eats nearly every meal at their restaurants and has fun doing it.

The owners of two highly successful restaurants, another that recently opened, a general store and an ad agency surely live in a big house on the lake, right? Well in the case of Clarkston Union owners Curt Catallo and Ann Stevenson, not exactly. The married couple still lives in a loft above the Union General store in downtown Clarkston next door to their award-winning restaurant with their 8 and 9-year-old children. “The kids sit down and order food,” Catallo said. “It’s something that’s very throwback, but it appeals to us. For us, it’s life. There’s something old school about living above store. It’s different to have that sense of pride and ownership in our restaurants.” Catallo and Stevenson have been chosen as a finalist to renovate…

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Meet the Old Fenton Fire Hall Candidates: Arbor Brewing Co. Owners Matt and Rene Greff

Couple loves traveling, fun, beer and community.

Arbor Brewing Company owner Matt Greff said he felt overwhelmed with the construction of the company’s new location, the Corner Brewery before it opened in 2006. So when one of his suppliers called him and wanted to give him a 1967 antique fire truck that had animals living in it and wheels that had sunken into the cement, he wasn’t interested in another project. However, a call to his wife Rene changed his mind. “She said you call him back right now. If someone offers you a fire truck, you take it,” Greff said. So the couple accepted the antique and had a brewery volunteer, who was an antique fire truck aficionado, fix it up with a rebuilt engine and removed the "squirrels from the glove box.” The antique has been a part of the Corner …

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Fenton Officials Select Clarkston Union, Arbor Brewing Co. as Finalists

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 …

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Fenton DDA to Interview All 4 Applicants for Old Fire Hall

Interviews will be conducted on Tuesday.

Four business owners applied to renovate the old Fenton fire hall and all four will be interviewed next week. Members of a Fenton Downtown Development Authority Committee were impressed with the proposals and agreed to interview the owners of the Arbor Brewing Company and Corner Brewery in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti; the Clarkston Union and the Union Woodshop  in Clarkston; Lockhart's BBQ, Royal Oak Brewery and Detroit Beer Company; and Tavern 131 in Milford and Ciao Amici in Brighton. "This is a catalyst towards revitalizing dowtown," Burns said. "We need someone that is going to be in front of that and take pride in that. I think we need some that is going to be a part of what we are trying to do downtown." The selection committee consists …

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Hot Corner

Fenton Hit Jackpot with Recent Old Fenton Fire Hall Proposals

Arbor Brewing Company's Corner Brewery is one of my favorite hangout spots.

I’d had been looking forward to the opening of Michigan Brewing Company in Fenton since I moved back to the area a year and half ago. It had been scheduled to open just over a month ago. However, the deal fell through and many like myself were left disappointed. Many sources told me there would be plenty of interested parties and that I wouldn’t be disappointed in the applicants. As the Fenton Downtown Development Authority revealed Tuesday, they were right. Owners of several reputable businesses applied and I am excited to see which is chosen.  Many people had commented on Fenton Patch that they would like to see a place like the Clarkston Union or the Union Woodshop (The 2010 Detroit Free Press Restaurant of the year) and wouldn’t you …

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Robert Marr

10:59 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012

I look forward to any of the applicants coming to the fire hall. I only ask that Fentonites don't overlook our own micro-brewery, right here in town! I'm talking about the Fenton Winery and Brewery. In just a few short years, Matt and Ginny Sherrow have grown a wonderful winery and micro-brewery business. Besides the edible goodies they offer, they have a significant selection of home-made wines …   more ›

Clarkston Union, Arbor Brewing Co. Owners Among Old Fenton Fire Hall Applicants

Fenton Downtown Development Authority to select finalists Thursday.

The old Fenton fire hall may soon have a new tenant. Four businesses have applied to renovate the old Fenton fire hall including: The deadline for submissions was May 14. “I am extremely excited that within the past three weeks, we have gathered interest from some of the finest restaurant operators in Michigan interested in developing the Old Fire Hall. Some of these firms have experience with projects that have been major redevelopment catalysts for the communities they serve,” stated Downtown Development Authority Chairman Craig Schmidt in a press release. At 10 a.m. Thursday a selection committee consisting of three members of the DDA will meet to review the proposals and select candidates to interview. That committee will then conduct …

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Dr. Ron

9:26 pm on Sunday, May 20, 2012

I posted in the other article on this topic but my wife and I visit Clarkston Union and Woodshop on a pretty regular basis. Why? Because it offers everything we can't really find nearby: great food, great drinks and a professional/educated atmosphere. Yes, we've all tried and usually like the French Laundry, but you're not doing that 3 times a week. So a lot of our friends in the Fenton/Grand …   more ›

The Rise and Fall of the Fenton Michigan Brewing Company Project

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.

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DDA Hopes to Fill Old Fenton Fire Hall Quickly

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 …

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Robert Marr

10:29 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012

I still hope to see a fish house. I can taste the bouillabaisse now.....   more ›