New Biggby Coffee planned for Mission Street

Different owner to open new store in August

By: Joe Borlik

Matthew Taylor has been drinking Biggby Coffee since the chain's first cafe opened in his hometown of East Lansing. This year, he will to pursue his dream of owning his very own Biggby Coffee franchise. A self proclaimed "cafe kid," Taylor will open a new Mount Pleasant Biggby Coffee in August at 210 S

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Biggby Coffee on Blue Grass Rd. closes

By: Joe Borlik

Mount Pleasant residents who love Biggby Coffee are out of luck. On Monday, the East Lansing-based chain coffee shop closed the 4445 E. Blue Grass Road location in Union Township. People who have since come to get their coffee have found the doors locked and lights off with a notice taped to building.

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Bellacino's to Mancino's in four days flat: CMU business alumnus tries hand at restaurant

By: Abby Wood

Central Michigan University alumnus Josh Glew said he knows what students want. Which is why on Nov. 15, Glew bought Bellacino's Pizza and Grinders, 4125 E. Blue Grass Road, and in four days turned it into Mancino's Italian Eatery. "Everybody wants value," he said.

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A Super-sized weekend

Local restaurants prepare to host Super Bowl parties

By: Joshua Berenter and Joe Borlik

As Pittsburgh and Arizona restaurant and bar owners are undoubtedly preparing for the frenzy that is Super Bowl Sunday, several local restaurants are also getting ready. Several Mount Pleasant establishments, including the Blue Gator Sports Pub and Grill, Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar and O'Kelly's Sports Bar & Grill are all hosting Super Bowl parties or offering specials this Sunday du...

Taco Boy moves up the road to new spot on Mission Street

By: Vanessa Fayz

Editor's Note: This is the eighth story in an occasional series featuring landmarks in the Mount Pleasant community. A 33-year-old taste of Mount Pleasant has found a new location, but kept the same south of the border style. Taco Boy, a local Mexican restaurant, recently moved from its long-time location at Preston and Mission streets to a building near Mission and High street.

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Management changes; Pita Pit reopens

The Pita Pit, located at 1620 S. Mission St., reopened in December after closing this past March, when the former owner left town owing many employees money. "I've been here two times now," said New Lothrop junior Paul Malott. "The pitas are by far my favorite thing.

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Pisanello's offers unique taste

By: Sarah Schuch

Editor's note: This is the sixth in an occasional series on businesses that have established themselves in Mount Pleasant. Jim Jacobs isn't worried about the challenge posed by the various other pizzerias which dot Mount Pleasant. "Nobody's ever tasted a pizza like this," boasted the proprietor of Pisanello's Pizza, 110 N.

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'Orange chicken' a customer favorite

Dragon Express satisfies craving for chinese food

By: Amanda Friedt

Family-owned and operated Dragon Express is a spot many students go to satisfy their Chinese food cravings. Dine in or takeout Dragon Express, 314 W. Broomfield Road, located next to the Towers residence halls, offers a variety of authentic Chinese food, including the items readily available on the steam table and also a fresh-to-order menu.

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CLASS AT 'THE BRASS'

Cafe/Saloon gives big-city vibe

By: Lynn Fischer

Editor's note: This is the third story in an occasional series on local businesses that have established themselves as hallmarks of the Mount Pleasant community. Downtown Mount Pleasant is home to a restaurant with a big-city atmosphere but a small-town feel.

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PIXIE HITS 60

By: Caroline Barnard

Unlike many restaurants that aim for a '50s vibe, the Pixie doesn't try to be retro. It is retro. Having opened in the spring of 1948, the Pixie, 302 N. Mission St., remains one of Mount Pleasant's most familiar restaurants. This year the restaurant is celebrating its 60th anniversary.

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Mount Pleasant Bennigan's not affected by corporate bankruptcy claim

By: Daniel Monson and Angie Favot

Despite country-wide closures after its corporate parent filed for bankruptcy suddenly on Tuesday, Mount Pleasant's Bennigan's Grill & Tavern won't be affected - at least for the short term. Metromedia Restaurant Group, owner of Bennigan's and Steak & Ale Restaurant, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection in the Eastern District of Texas.

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J.W. Filmore's closes its doors

Family-owned local restaurant served area for 25 years

By: Laura Brian

Garry Darnell has been cooking at J.W. Fillmore's for the past 19 years. In fact, it was through a fellow employee at the Mount Pleasant restaurant that Darnell met his wife. "This is half of my life," he said. "This has been my home." The family-owned and operated restaurant closed its doors for good Sunday afternoon after 25 years in Mount Pleasant.

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A pirate's life for Mount Pleasant

Establishment offers drinks, food, live dueling piano music for patrons

By: Jessica Pavlovich

Saginaw junior Jenny Gerhardt was only in Coco Joe's for one night before she formed an opinion about it. "I think it's the nicest bar in Mount Pleasant," Gerhardt said. Gerhardt and her friends were just a few of the students who flocked to the city's newest bar this weekend.

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Pizza King to be 're-throned'

Owner planning to relocate restaurant on Bluegrass Road

By: Beth Kieda

Mount Pleasant's first pizza shop may be open again by the start of 2008. Pizza King owner Levi Henning said he is in the process of reopening his restaurant, which was destroyed by a fire last month. The proposed location is on Bluegrass Road near the recently opened Coco Joe's.

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'Blue Gator'-aid

Restaurant changes to Cajun-style with a little help from the owner

By: Samantha Gasco

New Orleans is famously French and American. But a new New Orleans-themed restaurant in Mount Pleasant takes its roots instead from a 30-year-old English bar. Owner Richard Swindlehurst and his family recently transformed Sir Richard's Pub into the The Blue Gator Sports Pub and Grill, a Gulf Coast-inspired sports pub and grill.

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Coco Joe's set to launch within next week

New piano bar features pirate theme, wooden ship

By: Samantha Gasco

The founder of a Union Township pirate-themed restaurant and piano bar is hoping to open her doors by next Wednesday. "All things different" is the motto for Coco Joe's founder Cheryl Hunter. She said Mount Pleasant residents need something new and her bar offers just that.

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Soul food restaurant coming

Joint to open in November near Bluegrass Road

By: Brian McLean

Lauren M. Campbell said Mount Pleasant lacks a barbecue-specific restaurant with plenty of options. "I have some family from the South, so I kind of like Southern food," the Dearborn senior said. Finding Southern barbecue-styled food soon will require only a trip down Bluegrass Road for Campbell and others - instead of a trek down the country.

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Quiznos replacing Blimpie in University Center

Survey reveals students prefer toasted subs

By: Caitlin M. Foyt

Quiznos will replace Blimpie as CMU's primary submarine sandwich provider. The Goodies To Go snack shop in the Bovee University Center is expected to re-open as a Quiznos restaurant in early October. Campus Dining Marketing Manager Nikki Smith, said the change was based upon a survey - conducted during the spring semester of 2006 - which asked 150 students, faculty and staff their opini...

Sub shop's atmosphere will set it apart

Wet Monkey will join piano bar with September opening

By: Phil Hornshaw

A sub shop will join Coco Joe's in the Bluegrass Crossings commercial development this semester. Wet Monkey Sub Shack will use fresh-cut meats for its sandwiches, rather than pre-portioned ingredients found at other, similar restaurants, said owner John Devine.

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Pizza restaurant cooks up change

Crust & Que goes from slices of pies to ribs, keeps H&R vibe

By: Kyle Fitzsimmons

For years the small restaurant at 304 W. Broomfield Road was a pizza joint frequented by hungry college students. But earlier this year the community staple known as H&R Pizza quietly got new owners and a makeover. Now the pizza place is a barbecue joint.

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Small businesses give way to corporations

The Embers, Sweet Onion close as big chains come to area

By: Katie Maurer

Kohl's, Menards, Qdoba Mexican Grill and IHOP have all made a home in Mount Pleasant in the past year. But some small independent businesses that have been established in Mount Pleasant for years are struggling to compete with corporate franchises. The Embers Restaurant, 1217 S.

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So long, Embers

Mount Pleasant will say goodbye to a landmark eatery on June 30

Come June 30, there will be no more one-pound pork chops. Same goes for the peas-and-peanut salad. This summer Mount Pleasant residents - and CMU - will say goodbye to The Embers, the family-owned restaurant and banquet hall that has been a fixture on Mission Street for almost 50 years.

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Qdoba opens its doors Tuesday

By: Nathan Fournier

Morley sophomore Emily M. Baker said she was pleasantly surprised Monday when she received a free meal from Qdoba Mexican Grill, 1529 S. Mission. The newly opened restaurant was hosting its private opening from 4 to 6 p.m., during which it served free food to invited guests and others who stopped by.

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Some students taking over the Mount Pleasant business scene

By: Katie Maurer

James Crank had two goals in life: Playing professional hockey and owning his own restaurant. He had the opportunity to experience playing collegiate hockey but decided owning his own restaurant was the better option. The West Bloomfield senior has worked with his father, Jim Crank, for the past two and a half years and helped him open Cranker's Coney Island in Big Rapids.

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