The Dirty Bird restaurant has set Thursday, September 8th as it opening day at 140 West Michigan Avenue in Downtown Jackson. This will be owner Randy LeMaster’s second downtown restaurant, joining The Chase Sports Bar as his second themed restaurant, bar and gathering spot. The Dirty Bird will specialize in chicken tenders, chicken wings, mac and cheese, salads and sandwiches and will be offering 40 beers on tap. The opening day list of taps include Michigan craft brews Grand River Monkey Mouth, Bell’s Two-Hearted Ale, Dark Horse Crooked Tree IPA along with standard American beers like Pabst Blue Ribbon and Miller Lite. The full list can be found on Taphunter.
The restaurant was created from vacant space in a previously dilapidated storefront that over the years housed hair salons, a pharmacy and dance studio. LeMaster is building out three apartments on the upper floors which will be available for rent later this year. LeMaster is extending the restaurant into the neighboring alley, creating a raised outdoor patio which seats more than 34 at umbrella tables. The restaurant’s main dining area and bar are separated from the patio with four giant glass garage doors which will open during nice weather. Decorative lighted steel arches are suspended over the length of the alley.
Among the notable features: a Navy plane is suspended from the ceiling, several brewery bicycles and memorabilia are displayed throughout and a mezzanine dining space is available for private gatherings.
The Dirty Bird will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 11 a.m. to midnight on Wednesday and Thursday and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday. The Dirty Bird will not be open Sunday.
Junkyard Dog Opening to Follow
Another new downtown restaurant, Junkyard Dog also plans to open soon. Owner Mike Carrigan plans to open October 10. Junkyard Dog takes over the space previously occupied by Libby’s Jazz Club. Carrigan has completely re-done the interior with bright “mustard yellow” and “ketchup red” colors on the walls, new tables, chairs and a completely new kitchen. The restaurant will offer dozens of specialty hot dogs, sides and a full bar with a traditional beer menu. While the menu has not yet been announced, Carrigan has said to expect a larger size dog and such favorites as Chicago style and Coney Island style with “dog and beer” specials.
More Restaurants, Shops in the Works
Gilbert’s Chocolates, long a mainstay in downtown Jackson last century will be returning to downtown mid-October in a new location at 233 North Jackson Street. Gilbert’s Chocolates is moving their factory to the downtown location from its Ackerson Lake address, in operation for more than 50 years. Two existing retail locations at Jackson Crossing and Okemos will remain open. Gilbert’s plans a retail operation along with the factory and factory tours will be offered.
Brian and Sally Krichbaum purchased Gilbert’s Chocolates in 2013, continuing the tradition of this family owned business founded by John Gilbert in 1900. They purchased the Jackson Street location and have been renovating the space for the past several months. They removed a 1960’s style facade revealing the original architectural details of the original storefront which they are restoring.
Also opening on North Jackson Street is a new salon, Evolution Hair and Skin Studio, a new venture by Jacquelyn Shepherd. Evolution Hair and Skin Studio, 141 North Jackson Street, 
offers hair, beauty and spa services along with a selection of beauty products.
This past summer, two new businesses opened on Michigan Avenue: Notch 8, a retail products store which sells overstock items at 125 E. Michigan Avenue and The Orange Peacock, an art gallery and shop located in the first floor of the Jackson 
County Tower building.
Mixed Use Developments Move Forward
Previously announced development projects are continuing to progress. At the Jackson City Council August 23 meeting, the council approved a Commercial Rehabilitation Exemption Certificate request for 209 West Louis Glick Highway. The property has been purchased by Detroit Entrepreneur Development, LLC and plans for the property include a four story apartment building with first floor retail.
According to entrepreneur John Burtka, Detroit Entrepreneur Development is a group of doctors with a strong interest in downtown’s future. Burtka has represented the group at city council meetings and in speaking with JTV. Kincaid Henry, a Lansing development company working with the owners, released a drawing and details earlier this year. The plans call for a 44,000 square foot, four story mixed-use development on the site of a former Consumers Energy parking lot. This project will house retail on the first floor and 30 apartments on the upper floors. The units will be a mix of one and two-bedroom units. The Exemption Certificate is a critical step toward financing for the developers.
John Burtka is also involved in the development of the former One Five One building at 151 West Michigan Avenue. The Reynolds Building has been purchased by Burtka, Dr. Nicholas Dyc and Downtown Development LLC in partnership with the Kincaid Henry development and construction firm.
The Grand River Brewery was the first investment by the entrepreneur three years ago. The Brewery has expanded several times due to the popularity of the restaurant and the company’s Michigan-brewed craft beers.
The plans for the former One Five One building include a restaurant on the main floor. Burtka is collaborating with Justin Dalenberg, a former executive chef at Zingerman’s Roadhouse in Ann Arbor, to develop an exciting new restaurant that likely will focus on popular American fare and serve as a destination attraction. Dalenberg, a chef and restaurant consultant, is a graduate of Johnson and Wales University with more than two decades of experience in the hospitality industry.
The Jackson City Council has approved a license for the operation of a beer garden, adjacent to the building in the “Victory Lane” alley.
The two upper floors will be developed as 12 apartments, 6 on each floor. The one-bedroom apartments are being described as executive high-end.
Allan Hooper, Anchor Initiative acting Executive Director, estimated there currently are about 30 market-rate apartments downtown. Burtka’s plans include the addition of nearly 50 market-rate apartments. Burtka credited the Jackson Anchor Initiative and the City of Jackson for their assistance with these two latest projects.
Also at the August 23 City Council meeting, the city approved a development agreement to rehabilitate 134 Francis Street and its associated properties, commonly known as the Evanoff’s building. Developer Andrew Kokas purchased the property with an eye to create a mixed use dining, shopping and entertainment complex. Olivia’s Kitchen, Plato’s Retreat and Peach Market are the businesses Kokas is planning for the space.
According to Kokas, Olivia’s Kitchen will be a food court featuring four different cuisines: Wood Fired Pizza, A Fresh Bar (salads, sandwiches, soups), an American Grill (burgers, brats, steaks, chops and open for breakfast for eggs and pancakes) plus a restaurant they call Daily Express. This will feature hot prepared meals that will change daily, drawing on the cuisines of Asia and the Mediterranean.
Plato’s Retreat will will serve as the dining area for those who get food from the food court, plus be its own stand alone pub and coffee house for patrons drinking anything from coffee to martinis all times of the day and night.
The Peach Market will feature fruits and vegetables, imported cheeses, fresh baked breads, dairy, general grocery, meats and an extensive “grab ‘n go” section.
The Downtown Development Authority has approved facade loans for the properties and Kokas has received approval on funding from a local bank while he pursues additional capital sources.
Imagining Downtown’s Future
The city has entered into an option agreement for the Hotel Hayes. Developer Home Renewal Systems LLC, a southeast Michigan company, signed a unanimously approved option agreement with the city at the June 28 Jackson City Council meeting.
City Manager Patrick Burtch said the developer is planning to invest around $24 million in construction, rehabilitation and restoration work into the former grand hotel, vacant for decades. Since the signing, the developer has begun their initial design and due diligence work, with plans to include a hotel with a major franchise, apartments, retail and restaurant space.
In preparing downtown for future development, the city engaged the firm of Beckett & Raeder to design various components, including the new Horace Blackman Park and various tracts of vacant downtown land. In drawings, the firm imagines what downtown could look like with developments on various sites including the former K&J Tire building, parking lots on Michigan Avenue and Mechanic street. The firm also offered designs for new entranceways to the downtown upon completion of the two way conversion of both Washington and Glick, scheduled for 2017.
Park Improvements, Landscaping to Be Complete by November
The last details of the Dig Jackson project should be completed by November, according to Jackson Vice Mayor Derek Dobies. Landscaping on the 100 block of West Michigan will begin now that electrical conduits have been installed in the planters and beds. The resurfacing of Mechanic and Jackson streets and the new curbs and sidewalk at intersections will be completed in the next month.
The Glidden Parker Mural will be installed in Horace Blackman Park with the building of CP Federal City Square. O’Harrow Construction Co. will begin work this month on the structure, which will include a stage, housing for the lighted mural and a drop down movie screen. It was announced last week that funding for the project is nearly complete and the structure will be completed by November.
