Beach restaurant getting new life

Source: Muskegon Chronicle
Others have tried and failed.

Jalapeno's, Bobbies on the Beach, Beach Street Landing, Four Seasons Beach Club and the Breakwater Restaurant all have come and gone at 1601 Beach at Pere Marquette Park.

But two Grand Rapids restaurateurs say their experience will carry them through.

Partners Perry Mellema and Steve Shenck have cleared several hurdles to purchase the former Jalapeno's Beach Bar. The partners are working toward having the new Beach Street Inn open by late April or early May, Mellema said.

The restaurant and bar never opened for business last summer.

Mellema has been part of the ownership of Taps, a trendy downtown Grand Rapids sports bar and restaurant. He said he sold his interest in Taps to complete the Muskegon beach bar deal with former owner Dave Charron.

The facility's liquor license has been transferred. The Beach Street Inn has an agreement with the city of Muskegon for a long-term lease of the land under the bar and restaurant building on the community's main Lake Michigan beach along the well-known "Ovals."

"We have a lot of experience behind us going in," Mellema said last week as renovation on the building began. "We are very encouraged about what is going on in Muskegon. We probably wouldn't have made this move two years ago."

The success of the nearby Docker's Waterfront Cafe at the Harbour Towne Marina and condominium project is one indication, Mellema said. With the influx of people with the condominiums and nearby new home construction, the area is growing to the point that a restaurant-bar on the beach should be successful, Mellema said.

Beach Street Inn will use the two decks that overlook Lake Michigan and its spectacular sunsets. The Inn will continue with music on the deck each weekend, but the new owners will cater to a more sophisticated crowd with jazz and light rock.

"We are looking for a more mature crowd and are open to families," Mellema said. "We will provide a mid-level dining experience, and the emphasis will be on fun."

The menu, which is still being developed, will have selections from steaks and chicken to pastas and Tex-Mex favorites. The owners also want to begin a breakfast bar for Saturday and Sunday brunches.

Beach Street Inn expects to be a seven-day-a-week operation through the summer with 11 a.m.-2 a.m. hours Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday. The owners said they are still exploring a year-round operation.

The south side of the building will again be used as an ice cream parlor Beach Street Ice Cream will be a separate business run by Mellema's sister, Cathy, he said.
Source: Muskegon Chronicle