Two popular local institutions have entered the market, with the owners of The Workshop Brewing Company and Rico’s Cafe and Pizzeria looking for the right buyer to take over their operations. Plus, two new businesses are coming to Front Street, a new Gill-Roy’s store is opening on the Ground, and several other companies are making moves in The Ticker’s latest look at restaurant and retail news.
Workshop Brewing, Rico’s Cafe now on sale
For those looking to get into the craft brewery or restaurant business, there are two opportunities readily available in the Traverse City area. Owner Pete Kirkwood is putting Workshop Brewing Company, which has operated on Garland Street in downtown Traverse City’s warehouse district for more than a decade, for sale. The company also includes a sister restaurant, Kingsley Local Brewing, which opened in 2023. In addition to craft beer, cider and wine, Workshop received a small distillery license earlier this year, allowing both locations to serve cocktails and sell bottled spirits.
“An established, fully staffed turnkey restaurant/brewery/distillery/cultural facility in downtown TC, plus a satellite tap with a gorgeous beer garden in the rapidly growing village just around the corner” Room? This is a rare opportunity for the right buyer,” says Kirkwood. Although the transaction will involve the acquisition of only businesses and not real estate, Kirkwood said both locations have “long-term, secure leases with preferential rents and a right to purchase the buildings in which they operate.” Point out.
Kirkwood sees three types of potential buyers, starting with those looking to get a head start or break into the craft beer scene. “There was someone just like me 15 years ago,” he says. Another candidate is a Northern Michigan hospitality group looking to add downtown TC and suburban Kingsley stores to its portfolio, and a third candidate is a Northern Michigan hospitality group looking to establish a presence in Northern Michigan. Could be an established brewery/restaurant organization under or out of state. ” says Kirkwood.
Kirkwood said many variables could affect the final price, including the possibility of assuming debt, and listed the business for $150,000 as a “starting point for discussions.” Kirkwood said he is open to creative financing and is “motivated to meet the needs of the right buyer,” adding, “The most important thing is the continuation of this great community institution.” Ta. The positives for me are secondary. ” He acknowledges that a new buyer “will likely want the business to reflect their own personality,” but hopes the business “continues to honor the company’s community values” and maintains its current They want to keep their staff.
“It’s fun to make a living out of craft and provide camaraderie and culture to the community,” Kirkwood says. “But after more than 10 years in this job, it’s time for me to hand over the reins.”
Rick Dubro, owner of Rico’s Café and Pizzeria, is similarly looking for a local buyer to carry on the legacy of his business. Dubro and his wife, Lori, have operated Grawn Restaurants since 1996. The business started as Papa J’s & Roosters Chicken and was converted into a full-service Rico’s in 1998. Mr. Dubro has been in the restaurant business for nearly 50 years. He is ready to retire.
“I’m ready to hang up my spatula,” he laughed. The company has been quietly listed publicly for a long time, but its owners just recently publicly announced on Facebook that they were looking for a buyer. The business, which includes real estate and a liquor license, is currently listed on Traverse Real Estate for $699,000. Dubro said locals interested in maintaining Rico’s current model include the popular Ethnic Month from September to March, which features a month-long menu of Greek, Italian, German, Polish and other specialties. He said he would like to find a buyer for the project.
“That’s really what keeps our restaurants busy,” Dubro says. “We don’t rely on tourists. We rely on locals. We have a great staff, so my best-case scenario is to keep things as close to the status quo as possible. I’ve been working there for 29 years.”
More restaurant and retail news…
Two businesses will open in downtown Traverse City in 2025. Surfaces plans a spring opening in the West End Lofts Building on West Front Street. A company representative told The Ticker that the 3,400-square-foot space will sell specialty art supplies and provide an open art studio for the public. Customers can rent monthly lockers to store their art supplies and have a “nice place to work quietly,” as well as gallery space to sell their completed work, representatives said. Exhibitions in the gallery change every month. Surfaces also hosts group painting parties and other classes and events.
Currently located in Mercato at Grand Traverse Commons at the Village, Contigo Dogs will soon move to a new retail space at 324 East Front Street. The company, owned by Stephanie Dane, will offer an expanded selection of dog and cat food, pet products and other small business products, as well as a dog gym and dedicated activity room, according to the store’s signage. The new store is scheduled to open in January. Dane posted on Instagram that Contigo Dogs’ last day of operation at Building 50 will be Dec. 28.
Hardware store Gill-Roy’s Got It! has opened a new store at 7155 Scotchwood Lane in Ground. The company currently has 40 stores primarily in Michigan, including Traverse City, Fyff Lake and Elk Rapids. This “one-stop home improvement store” carries a wide selection of electrical, paint, plumbing, tools and other products, and all stores are open seven days a week, Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Also in Ground, local outdoor shop TCH Gear plans to expand its store at 1899 Rogers Road to 6,000 square feet. The company has filed a building permit application for the addition on Facebook, adding 3,000 square feet of new downstairs space and classrooms for “firearms, fishing, trapping, hunting, CCW, and more classes.” He posted that he plans to install it. A 20-yard video 3D archery range and a darkroom to test night vision and storage could also make an appearance, with the main level offering a “gun and archery department, more clothing, and a cart to go through and set up.” “Expand the space with blinds and fishing cabins planned,” the company posted.
Table 12 Coffee House, 3211 North Garfield Road, is closing. The company’s last business day is Saturday (December 14), and its final business hours this week will be Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. Management posted that Table 12’s gift cards/perks will continue after the closure of its “sister store” Espresso Bay in downtown Traverse City. Also in Garfield, consignment furniture and home decor store REclecTia will have its last day of business on Saturday. “After decades of joyfully serving the community with eclectic and unique items on consignment, it’s time for a new chapter,” the company said on Facebook. This week, as part of our store closing sale, most of our in-store inventory will be 50% off.
Finally, Village Cafe & Ice Cream Shop has opened at 111 South Brownson Avenue in Kingsley. The shop offers Roaster Jack Coffee Company coffee, an espresso bar, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, soups and salads, and handcrafted ice cream. The cafe is open Monday to Thursday from 7am to 4pm, Friday from 7am to 7pm, Saturday from 8am to 4pm (closed on Sunday). Also in Kingsley, retailer Redefine will close its main store at 100 West Main Street in Kingsley at the beginning of the year and consolidate operations into a second store at 116 East Main Street. The store is holding a mobile sale in preparation for the transition, and is open Wednesday through Friday from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
