Timeline Stories Archive - City Park Grill

1997

In 1997, Bob and Mary Keedy, Dick and Laura Dinon, Chef John Norman, and Patrick Faylor purchased the Park Garden Café, changing the name to City Park Grill. The menu was changed as well to reflect the scratch kitchen focus with daily and seasonal specials....

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1986

In 1986, the building was sold to Larry Rellinger, a real estate broker. His office is now on the second floor. The Victorian façade and interior were restored to the original character....

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1974

In 1974, a custom stained glass piece with the Park Garden Café name was installed in the front window....

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1954

Robert and Lodema Shier purchased the business in 1954. An addition extended the building to the east, now referred to as the Peacock Room. It served as an additional dining room to accommodate more restaurant guests. The current kitchen was added to the rear of...

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1932

In 1932, Frank Fochtman died and his nephew Ralph Fochtman took over the business. The name was changed to The Park Garden Café, derived from Pennsylvania Park just west of the restaurant and the Palm Garden to the east....

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1918 – 1919

Between 1918 and 1919, the establishment was raided by the sheriff, and the owner, Frank Fochtman, was fined and sentenced to jail for violating the liquor law....

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1917

Prohibition was established in Michigan in 1917. However, Fochtman did not abide by it and illegally served alcohol. He went as far as to build secret underground tunnels to the Cushman Hotel and the Grill Café to export alcohol. These tunnels are no longer in...

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1910s – 1920s

From the 1910s – 1920s, Ernest Hemingway made northern Michigan his summer home. The Annex was one of his favorite places where he would sit in the second seat from the end of the bar and write his ideas for short stories and books. The short...

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1897

In 1897, then owner Frank J. Gruclich passed away, and Frank Fochtman took over the business. He decided to expand and bought the land just east of the Palm Garden. He built the Grill Café which opened in July 1910 with a bowling alley in...

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1888

In 1888, the building was purchased by Frank J. Gruclich who changed the name to The Annex. At this time, food was incorporated into the business. It provided dining and entertainment to guests of the adjacent Cushman Hotel. A garden patio was added to the...

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