St. Clair Shores

New restaurant planned for Nautical Mile

By Kristyne E. Demske
C & G Staff Writer

The owner of a popular restaurant in Macomb Township is bringing a new business to the Nautical Mile.

A yet-to-be-named family restaurant and boat storage facility is planned by owner Richard Walkowiak for a 70-foot strip of land on the east side of Jefferson Avenue at Blackburn Street, which has been “vacant a long time,” according to Attorney Robert Lighthouser Jr., who represented Walkowiak at the Aug. 6 City Council meeting where the site plan was approved.

“Mr. Walkowiak owns the Aspen, but it’s not going to be another Aspen,” said Lighthouser. “It’s going to be a family-type restaurant. We don’t know what the name’s going to be at this point in time.” He didn’t give a firm timeline for the business.

City Council passed the measure unanimously.

Councilman John Caron suggested the Dumpster be moved closer to the restaurant, although Community Development and Inspection Director Chris Rayes said it had been placed at the far back end of the proposed parking lot to make it easier for the garbage truck to get in and out of the property.

But Caron said having it so far away may mean employees put off taking out the trash.

“It might pile up on the side (of the building) for people to do it,” he said. “It just doesn’t seem to be a very convenient location.”

Lighthouser agreed to work with CDI to move the Dumpster on the plan.

Another item to be discussed as plans proceed is the sign. Caron pointed out that the Emerald City Harbor and Brownie’s on the Lake signs are close to the proposed new restaurant building.

Lighthouser said the family restaurant would not serve alcohol. He asked for hours at the business to be from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Both buildings would be about 4,000 square feet, each and the restaurant would hold approximately 164 people. The boat storage facility would be able to house about 45 boats — the maximum allowed for the space under the city ordinance.

St. Clair Shores Mayor Kip Walby said he thought the new business was “terrific.”

“Thank you and welcome to St. Clair Shores,” he said. “We look forward to it.”
 

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Kristyne E. Demske at kdemske@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1041.