Hillsdale's future French bistro on track to open
David Steffen
Issue date: 3/12/09 Section: News
As early as August, the aroma of rosemary duck and New Zealand lamb may waft from the now-abandoned brick building standing at 96 N. Howell St. downtown.
Suzanne Naatjes, mother of junior Michael Naatjes, planned to open a French bistro downtown by last August. However, renovations for Michael's off-campus home paused restaurant plans.
"It took a year to get the renovations done, so we had to put the restaurant on hold. Hopefully, the restaurant won't take a year," she said, laughing.
Suzanne and her husband purchased the downtown property in June 2007. She said her French restaurant - 96 Bistro - may be in business as early as Aug. 2009. However, plans depend on licenses and contractors. Suzanne said she is arranging liquor licenses with the state.
"It's really difficult, but the city of Hillsdale has been very helpful," she said.
96 Bistro still needs renovations, including new floors, paint and an outfitted kitchen. Suzanne has a tentative menu developed. A group of marketing students on campus is conducting local research for the Naatjes as part of a project. However, their professor has forbidden them to comment.
Suzanne graduated from the Cordon Bleu culinary school in London. She had managed a restaurant for 35 years but decided to open her own restaurant in 2003. She planned to open it in Rockford, Mich., where she currently lives.
Michael suggested she open it in Hillsdale after talking with local businessmen, including David's Dolce Vita owner, David Kamen. Michael said local reactions seemed positive and the upstart cost was low in Hillsdale.
"They told [Michael], 'Boy, we sure would appreciate it if she would come and open a restaurant here,'" Suzanne said. "They'd like to have a fine-dining restaurant."
She discussed her plans with city officials, including Christine Bowman, economic development director for the city of Hillsdale. Bowman was not available for comment at press time.
Suzanne Naatjes, mother of junior Michael Naatjes, planned to open a French bistro downtown by last August. However, renovations for Michael's off-campus home paused restaurant plans.
"It took a year to get the renovations done, so we had to put the restaurant on hold. Hopefully, the restaurant won't take a year," she said, laughing.
Suzanne and her husband purchased the downtown property in June 2007. She said her French restaurant - 96 Bistro - may be in business as early as Aug. 2009. However, plans depend on licenses and contractors. Suzanne said she is arranging liquor licenses with the state.
"It's really difficult, but the city of Hillsdale has been very helpful," she said.
96 Bistro still needs renovations, including new floors, paint and an outfitted kitchen. Suzanne has a tentative menu developed. A group of marketing students on campus is conducting local research for the Naatjes as part of a project. However, their professor has forbidden them to comment.
Suzanne graduated from the Cordon Bleu culinary school in London. She had managed a restaurant for 35 years but decided to open her own restaurant in 2003. She planned to open it in Rockford, Mich., where she currently lives.
Michael suggested she open it in Hillsdale after talking with local businessmen, including David's Dolce Vita owner, David Kamen. Michael said local reactions seemed positive and the upstart cost was low in Hillsdale.
"They told [Michael], 'Boy, we sure would appreciate it if she would come and open a restaurant here,'" Suzanne said. "They'd like to have a fine-dining restaurant."
She discussed her plans with city officials, including Christine Bowman, economic development director for the city of Hillsdale. Bowman was not available for comment at press time.
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