Two popular restaurants in downtown Traverse City – Blue Tractor and Hexenbelle – are preparing to close their doors, though a new concept is in the pipeline to replace Blue Tractor. The Ticker has the latest details on those and other restaurant/retail updates from across the region.

Closures
After 19 years in business, BBQ restaurant Blue Tractor is closing its doors on Union Street. “It’s been one heck of a ride,” the restaurant posted this week on Facebook. “Blue Tractor first fired up the smoker back in July 2006, and for nearly two decades, we’ve had the honor of serving up BBQ, beer, and good times in downtown Traverse City. As we close this chapter on August 31, we want to thank our community, our guests, and our incredible team who’ve made Blue Tractor a local favorite.”

Jon Carlson of Mission Restaurant Group – with operates five Traverse City locations including Blue Tractor, North Peak Brewing Company, Kilkenny’s Irish Public House, Mission Table, and Jolly Pumpkin Restaurant and Brewery – says the company loved “all the years for Blue Tractor” but that it’s “time for a new concept.” He declined to share more immediate details, though notes it will be “some time before we get back open” to accommodate remodeling. Mission Restaurant Group closed its Ann Arbor location of Blue Tractor in May with a similar announcement about an “exciting remodel and concept transformation” coming soon. That location has not yet reopened, with details on the concept still pending.

Carlson says that Blue Tractor staff have all been offered jobs at North Peak and Jolly Pumpkin, in addition to being given two weeks’ notice. “I know a lot of restaurants just close in the night due to hardship, but we wanted to give people time,” he says. “We hope they want to work at the other locations until this one reopens.”

Also in downtown Traverse City, Hexenbelle – which launched in 2020 and has built a loyal following for its Middle Eastern comfort food in Warehouse MRKT – is closing its doors. The company’s last day open will be September 11, the owners confirmed to The Ticker. Hexenbelle will also be closed the first week of September due to large catering events. In a written statement, Christian Geoghegan and Heather Webber said that this time of year – when college students return to school – often entails a loss of help and hour changes. However, this year is different as the duo approaches the end of their lease, they wrote.

“The battle with debilitating health issues and feeling like Hexenbelle is missing pieces makes this a natural point to close our doors and regroup as human beings,” they wrote. On the days open between now and September 11, hours will be shortened to 10am-3pm with canned beverages available and a focus on serving food. The duo said they wished they could “offer ‘one last time’ for so many things but our limitations have been a battle all year. This has been a cycle of grief and acceptance, and we know there are so many of you to talk to and acknowledge your steadfast support. We are working through a complete upheaval of our lives and ask for some privacy while we process.”

Also on the closure front, Eclectic Avenue is preparing to close its doors after eight years in business on J. Maddy Parkway in Interlochen. Owner Denise Toto posted that she is “dealing with multiple health issues at the tender ‘old age’ of 70, and it’s simply time to let go. I have enjoyed getting to know you all, I appreciate my customers both near and far more than I’m able to adequately express.” Toto said she anticipates keeping the store open until October 15 and has been posting regular updates on hours and sales.

More openings, closings, and moves…
New business D’Or Nails & Spa is coming to the Cherryland Center with a planned grand opening at the end of 2025. The company will offer “luxury nail care, spa services, and the relaxing experience you truly deserve,” according to a Facebook announcement. More details – including special promotions and an opening date – will be announced soon.

The Cherryland Center will also be home to one of multiple seasonal Halloween stores popping up soon in Traverse City. Spirit Halloween will have a temporary store next to K1 Speed starting in September, according to the company’s website. Halloween Superstores – which operates several seasonal stores across northern Michigan – is also reopening its Traverse City store next to Hobby Lobby in Buffalo Ridge Center September 1.

Several new stores are opening across the region. Lisa Barnwell is the owner and curator of new gallery Art on Union at 525 South Union Street. The space offers a variety of local fine art, pottery, and gifts, with posted hours of Tuesday-Thursday 10am-5pm and Friday-Saturday 11am-6pm. Kitty Miller – former owner of Christmastide in Building 50 – is launching a new store called The Missing Piece at 1036 Barlow Street (Suite 100) on September 2. The store will feature jigsaw puzzles, Grand Traverse Bay beach glass, miniatures, home décor, and cottage food treats. In Elk Rapids, The Robin Nest recently hosted a grand opening for its new artisan home accessories store at 135 River Street. The store, which offers “one-of-a-kind home accessories, original art, and timeless treasures,” is open Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 1pm-4pm.

The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park held a grand opening this month for its new Children’s Sensory Garden. A project led by Friendly Garden Club co-chairs Susie Snyder, Suzann Grazul, and Sue Mrowczynski, the space is “designed to spark curiosity and foster a deeper connection to nature through sight, sound, smell, and touch,” according to a release. “This engaging outdoor environment invites children to explore through creative and active play, open-ended discovery, and activities that support language development as well as fine and gross motor skills.” Seasonal programming and educational events are planned for the Children’s Sensory Garden, which is free and open daily.

On the restaurant front, J&S Hamburg is preparing to open its Kingsley location in the former Cast Iron Kitchen space at 413 Main Street. Co-owner Tiffany McQueer tells The Ticker the eatery will “definitely” open next week, though the exact day is still being finalized. She previously said J&S Hamburg Kingsley will have “the same great atmosphere as the one we have (on South Airport Road) in Traverse City,” plus a few surprises to come. In a Facebook post Wednesday, McQueer said the restaurant will focus on breakfast and lunch to start – with potential hours of 7am-3pm – “and go from that right into ice cream.” Dinner won’t be offered until the restaurant is fully staffed, she said.

Also related to dinner service, Common Good Bakery on Eighth Street in Traverse City announced it will focus on breakfast, lunch, and brunch going forward, eliminating dinner service. Both TC locations will now have bakery hours of 6am-3pm daily, with Eighth Street offering lunchtime pizza, weekend brunch, and pizza nights on Friday from 4pm-8pm.

Finally, two prominent buildings right next door to each other on South Union Street have hit the market. The first is 123 South Union Street, which houses Wilson’s Antiques and is listed for $2.95 million. A buyer could “acquire the business and continue the business if they wanted to, or we are also just selling the building separately and the business would relocate,” says Dan Stiebel of Coldwell Banker Commercial Schmidt. Next door, 127 South Union Street (Unit 1) – which houses Bushell’s Kitchen & Cocktails – has been listed for $1.625 million. The listing notes Bushell’s has a lease agreement in place, “offering the option to continue its established presence in the community.”