Vinsetta Garage owners return to pitch restaurant in former Birmingham school bus yard

Remember the plan to turn a former Birmingham Public Schools bus yard into a restaurant that never came to fruition? Well, it's back.

The owners of popular Metro Detroit eateries such as the Vinsetta Garage in Berkley, the Fenton Fire Hall in Fenton and Gran Castor in Troy have resubmitted plans to transform the property at 2159 E. Lincoln across from the ice arena and Kenning Park into a new restaurant serving American comfort food.

It's a similar concept to what the owners, Union Joints out of Clarkston, proposed in 2017 before pulling out of the project over issues surrounding the city's bistro licenses. This time, the ownership is attempting to joining the economic development zone to secure a liquor license, as opposed to applying for a bistro license like it did in 2017. Those two licenses that year went to Whole Foods and Adachi.

Curt Catallo, one of the owners of Union Joints, said pulling out two years ago and waiting for another opportunity was the right move for his business, especially given the limitations of the bistro license compared to their other restaurants.

"I think the two years just enhanced our resolve and I think what we've been able to do with the property knowing that we were going to go after a full Class C license, that just allowed it to be a different undertaking," he said. "It was a little longer walk, but we think we're in a place that's better for us."

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The new restaurant would actually consist of two entities in the building. Lincoln Yard would be a sit-down restaurant with table service, and a smaller service called Little Yard would be more grab-and-go and fast-casual, perfect for those in the area looking for something to take with them.

"Little Yard is definitely designed to be greener and lighter than anything," he said.

No opening date has been determined yet, Catallo said, as that would depend on when Union Joints received the proper approvals.

Project lauded by planning board members

The restaurant would follow Union Joint's reputation of taking over buildings not thought of as restaurants and turning them into destination eateries. The Vinsetta Garage was a former auto repair shop, and the Fenton Fire Hall was a former firehouse.

The site plan and special land use permit were reviewed at the city's planning board meeting Aug. 14, though any action was postponed until the application to join the economic development zone could be reviewed by the city. Catallo said the application was submitted the afternoon of Aug. 14, and it's his hope the project can be reviewed at the next planning board meeting.

Even with the postponement, several planning board members lauded the project, saying it was a welcome change to that area of Birmingham.

"It's cool. It's unlike anything we've seen," said planning board member Janelle Whipple-Boyce. "The furniture is even different. It's fun, and and I think it's going to bring a lot of people in to say 'What's going on?' in there. We haven't seen anything like it."

Planning board member Robin Boyle said he was in favor of bringing the concept to that area of town. He hoped there would be a way to make the area more pedestrian-friendly for residents wanting to access the business on foot.

"Wouldn't it be great if we could wander through and get to your establishment in some way that didn't mean you had to take a car?" he said. "This, unfortunately, is very car-dependent.

"You can't wander through this area."

Contact David Veselenak at dveselenak@hometownlife.com or 734-678-6728. Follow him on Twitter @davidveselenak.