Nothing good happens really fast… It’s a familiar theme and it’s playing out once again for the hard-working, dedicated trio that is opening a new bar and grille in downtown Stevensville.
“The Squeeze” is almost there. Almost ready to throw open the doors to customers that have already been talking about the place on social media for several weeks. The new owners, Sami Schlutt and Kristin Pfledderer, along with their Head Chef/Food Guru John Howe have been working for several months to transform the old ‘Woodies Bar’ into a casual dining, family friendly bar and grille. Virtually all the work has been done by the team and their families, except electrical or plumbing changes that required a professional. “And it takes time,” they observed with a smile in a sit-down with MoodyOnTheMarket.com.
Originally, they’d hoped to be open a month ago or earlier. With all but final decorating and touch-ups now complete, The Squeeze was to get final inspections from Health and Building officials late last week. Hiring of a staff is underway and training will begin very soon, according to Sami and Kristin. That will take about a week, so their conservative projection is now that The Squeeze will be open by mid-November.
That prediction comes with one caveat—a familiar one to anyone who’s tried to open a Michigan business that serves alcohol. There is NO firm date for approval of the beer and liquor license by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC). Although the license is simply being transferred in place from the old Woodies to the new Squeeze, the MLCC found a technicality involving a former owner which has extended the process of transfer.
The result? When The Squeeze opens, it will likely be without beer and liquor for a short period of time. Sami and Kristin have decided that their eager customers will understand, as the problem is totally out of their control—and an ‘all too familiar’ one for Michigan bars and restaurants.
So…when The Squeeze opens, what will it be like?
“A fun family place…welcoming and comfortable for everyone…” is how Sami describes their vision. There’s a clear demarcation, a wall in fact, between the bar area and the large dining room. They’ve cut some window spaces between the rooms to open up the atmosphere, however there is still a separation between bar and dining room that many families might welcome. There will also be a space set aside for several electronic games that might help kids pass some time while waiting for dinner, and while their parents enjoy a beverage.
The Squeeze will be ‘casual dining’, not a place for ‘dinner entrees’ but also not ‘bar food’, according to Sami, Kristin, and John. They agree that some social media speculators have gone overboard about their past connection to the now-closed North Shore Inn. While they will have a burger on the menu, that will not be their focus.
“Sandwiches, salads, daily specials or feature nights and some seasonal things,” are all in the plans, according to Sami and Kristin. Chef John told us he’s got a bulging Recipe Book of things he’s eager to try, including some Mexican items he never got a chance to make in recent years. So, look forward to that!
The Squeeze, at 5725 St. Joseph Avenue in downtown Stevensville, is bigger than it looks from the outside. It has a capacity of 99 persons, 12-16 plus several high top tables in the bar area and the rest in the roomy dining area, with straight in access from the front door.
Once that MLCC license arrives, The Squeeze will feature ten beer brands on draft and a full bar.
Kristin Pfledderer Sami Schlutt John Howe
