Marcella's expands scope
Cody Ewers
Issue date: 11/6/08 Section: News
A foreclosed coffeehouse in a Spring Arbor strip mall became an old-time ice cream parlor beneath the hands of Dave Trippett, owner of Marcella's restaurant in Jonesville. Both restaurants are similar in style.
Trippett said his success in Jonesville came by simply adding ice cream, hot sandwiches and a little flavor. He plans to do the same in Spring Arbor.
"Our whole mission is to provide fresh quality, food and atmosphere to our customers," he said.
He calls the Jonesville location "Marcella's: an Encounter Back in Time."
Each employee sports vintage clothing, including top hats and vests for men and long dresses and straw hats for girls. The building contains a fireplace, a Walnut Parlor Organ and some pictures of the restaurant's previous design that make it feel like a historic Mackinaw Island ice cream parlor.
Some time this spring, Trippett plans to finish decorating each wall of the Spring Arbor building with a different theme related to American history. He calls it a "taste of heritage" theme.
But he wants to establish a customer base and more financial security first, he said. For now, historic documents such as the Gettysburg Address and the Emancipation Proclamation adorn the walls.
Although the two restaurants are not related legally, they share the same menu and unique atmosphere.
"We want people to remember where they came from," Trippett said. "The whole thinking here is to remind our customers of their country's heritage."
He said the new location has a built-in customer base, with Spring Arbor University's main campus less than two miles away, and a dance studio that averages a clientele of 650 students per week right next door.
Marcella's employee Stephanie Elmendorf, 17, said the owners' vision for the Spring Arbor location doesn't surprise her.
"The Trippetts are unique people," she said. "They're very creative, and Dave is really into theater, so I can see how he came up with the idea."
Trippett and his wife, Marcella, used to perform in a singing group: the Agape Players. They adapted that love of music to their business, where they frequently host "mic nights." They plan to host a performance of their own near Christmas, said daughter and employee Christina Trippett.
Trippett hopes to include Hillsdale College talent in a "Battle of the Schools" show against Spring Arbor University students in the future.
Trippett said his success in Jonesville came by simply adding ice cream, hot sandwiches and a little flavor. He plans to do the same in Spring Arbor.
"Our whole mission is to provide fresh quality, food and atmosphere to our customers," he said.
He calls the Jonesville location "Marcella's: an Encounter Back in Time."
Each employee sports vintage clothing, including top hats and vests for men and long dresses and straw hats for girls. The building contains a fireplace, a Walnut Parlor Organ and some pictures of the restaurant's previous design that make it feel like a historic Mackinaw Island ice cream parlor.
Some time this spring, Trippett plans to finish decorating each wall of the Spring Arbor building with a different theme related to American history. He calls it a "taste of heritage" theme.
But he wants to establish a customer base and more financial security first, he said. For now, historic documents such as the Gettysburg Address and the Emancipation Proclamation adorn the walls.
Although the two restaurants are not related legally, they share the same menu and unique atmosphere.
"We want people to remember where they came from," Trippett said. "The whole thinking here is to remind our customers of their country's heritage."
He said the new location has a built-in customer base, with Spring Arbor University's main campus less than two miles away, and a dance studio that averages a clientele of 650 students per week right next door.
Marcella's employee Stephanie Elmendorf, 17, said the owners' vision for the Spring Arbor location doesn't surprise her.
"The Trippetts are unique people," she said. "They're very creative, and Dave is really into theater, so I can see how he came up with the idea."
Trippett and his wife, Marcella, used to perform in a singing group: the Agape Players. They adapted that love of music to their business, where they frequently host "mic nights." They plan to host a performance of their own near Christmas, said daughter and employee Christina Trippett.
Trippett hopes to include Hillsdale College talent in a "Battle of the Schools" show against Spring Arbor University students in the future.
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