The developers behind plans to revitalize the Seven Hills commercial complex on Old Mission Peninsula are working through final approvals with Peninsula Township, with the goal of getting a green light this spring and starting construction work this summer. The Ticker looks at the latest version of project plans and proposed tenants, plus more retail and restaurant news from across the region.

Seven Hills
Three local entrepreneurs with long-time ties to Old Mission Peninsula – Jay Milliken, Troy Daily, and Jordan Valdmanis – are working toward township approval to redevelop commercial property under contract at 13795 Seven Hills Road just north of Devil's Dive Road.

The partners appeared before township trustees Tuesday for a public hearing on the development. An updated application shows the partners have dropped a small 10-room motel that was part of an original proposal submitted in late 2020; the township ordinance requires a minimum five-acre parcel for lodging, and the two-acre Seven Hills site wasn’t large enough to meet that standard.

But plans still to remain to provide a “community-oriented” center with several uses the developers believe are missing from Old Mission. “Uses will include mixed retail, hospitality (food and beverage: coffee shop, alcoholic beverage tasting room, food court, quick service restaurant), health and wellness (massage studio, yoga and HIIT fitness studio), farmers market, art gallery and studio (existing), and outdoor recreation (rentals: bikes, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, ice skates, snowshoes, xc skiing), on-site ice skating/hiking, and self-accessible storage units,” the updated application states.

“The intent of Seven Hills is to create a focused, well-curated experience rooted in local commerce and exceptional hospitality,” the developers added.

At Tuesday’s meeting, several residents shared public comment both against and in support of the project. Concerns cited included the amount of traffic the development might draw and whether on-site parking would be sufficient, possible neighborhood impacts, and extended daily hours of operation, including for alcohol sales. Other residents – including current Seven Hills tenant Rick Burbee of Tinker Studio – said the community center would provide a welcome mix of new businesses on Old Mission.

Because the property is zoned for its proposed uses – with a special use permit (SUP) required – developers went into Tuesday’s meeting expecting township approval. However, Township Attorney Greg Meihn flagged some issues he said needed to be better fleshed out before approving the project, including providing a more detailed site plan and answering outstanding questions about water and other infrastructure systems on the property. Those concerns appeared to arise last-minute Tuesday, with developers expressing frustration and telling trustees they had worked closely with township staff prior to the meeting and thought their application documents were in order.

Trustees voted to send the SUP application back to the township planning commission to address outstanding issues before it returns at an upcoming board meeting. Trustee Isaiah Wunsch apologized to developers for the bumpy approval process. “We only have about a half-dozen commercial properties in Peninsula Township, so it’s always a bit of a challenge when we start looking at amending or creating an SUP for those. So excuse our challenges, but we don’t run into navigating what we’re doing with those very often,” he said.

Other retail and restaurant news…
Several retail and restaurant changes are underway in downtown Traverse City. New life is coming to the former Yen Yoga & Fitness studio at 332 East Front Street, including a Harley-Davidson retail store. Michael Zipser, the owner of Zips 45th Parallel Harley-Davidson in Gaylord, is planning to open a a downtown Traverse City Zips location in May offering a full line of Harley-Davidson motorclothes, parts, and accessories. Motorcycle service and sales will be offered in Gaylord, with free transportation back and forth between the Gaylord and Traverse City stores, according to a company Facebook post. Zips will use half of the former Yen Yoga space; realtor Dan Stiebel says the rest will be utilized by artist studios and a new restaurant specializing in salads, with details on the latter expected to be announced after the company has finalized its financing.

Nearby at 441 East Front Street, retail store Lakes and Grapes is holding a special closing sale today (Friday) to mark its last day open downtown. After two years operating on East Front Street, Lakes and Grapes management posted they would not be renewing their lease for a third year. “Due to multiple building issues, unreliable utilities, environmental concerns, and high river levels, the building has no longer become a suitable spot for a retail location,” management posted. “We are currently in the process of looking for a new space for Lakes and Grapes.”

Further down East Front Street, Katie Asher is planning an April 1 opening of a new vintage clothing and housewares store called slip. vintage in the Front Row Centre building at 121 East Front Street (Suite 108). “I carry clothing anywhere from 1910s to 1990s, mostly focusing on ’60s and ’70s,” Asher says. “I have decided to be gender neutral as much as possible, so all the clothing is for everyone. I have a small amount of vintage housewares as well, and will be expanding my inventory in the near future to feature some local artists in the shop as well.” The store will also have an event space, with plans to offer knitting, figure drawing, mending, and other artistic classes “once Covid is a little more under control,” Asher says.

At The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, Crystal Lake Alpacas – which runs an alpaca farm and boutique in Frankfort – has opened a second retail store this month in Traverse City in the Building 50 Mercato. The store carries a “variety of alpaca products including sweaters, hats, blankets, stuffed animals, socks, and much more,” according to the company.

Finally, two previously announced restaurants now have confirmed opening dates. After a several-month closure to relocate from her original Union Street space to newly renovated digs in the former Patisserie Amie building at 237 Lake Avenue, Benedict owner Leslie Elsen officially reopened her restaurant Thursday. The café has expanded seating, new menu items, and an espresso bar, among other changes, and will operate Wednesday-Sunday from 8am-2pm. Also, a new Traverse City location of national franchise Jersey Mike’s Subs is planning a Wednesday grand opening at 110 Munson Avenue in the former That’sa Pizza space. The New Jersey-based restaurant chain focused on “fresh sliced, authentic Northeast-American style sub sandwiches on fresh baked bread,” offering a variety of hot and cold subs.