By: Deborah Johnson Wood
Alleyways Bar & Grill opened last Saturday after some $300,000 of renovations to the former Topo’s Restaurant, 2675 Henry St in Roosevelt Park, a Muskegon area community bounded by Muskegon Heights and Muskegon.
Jeff Lobdell, owner and CEO of Grand Rapids-based Restaurant Partners, says the eatery joined an impressive list of popular restaurants owned by the company: Sundance Grill, Beltline Bar, Bagel Beanery, Omelette Shoppe (two in Traverse City and two in Grand Rapids) and Boone’s Prime Time Pub in Suttons Bay.
“We put substantial improvements inside and outside, with $80,000 just in the facade” Lobdell says. “It was a cinder block building and we added new signage, wood veneer facade, new awnings and window panels to make it look more inviting.”
The company received a $15,000 facade improvement grant from the City of Roosevelt Park. Another $50,000 came from the building owner, an insurance payment for water damage created by a burst water line.
“The landlord said he could have a contractor come in and fix the damage,” Lobdell says, “or give the money to us to repair the damage and create the restaurant as we want it.”
Inside, Lobdell retained the original bar, but installed all new décor and furniture.
Alleyways offers a full bar with 21 beers on tap, and a menu filled with American comfort food: prime rib, pot roast, fresh fish, steak, a signature cheeseburger salad, hand breaded mushrooms and onion rings, and a variety of sandwiches.
“The place is cozy and charming,” Lobdell says.
The restaurant created 45 jobs for wait staff, managers and culinary staff.
Wing Construction Services, Grand Rapids, handled the construction.
Source: Jeff Lobdell, Restaurant Partners
Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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