- A new bar and restaurant is opening on Grand River Avenue in Laingsburg
- Tank's Tavern is set to have its grand opening this weekend
CLINTON COUNTY, Mich. — On the corner of Grand River Road and Laing Road in Laingsburg sits a location that was once home to many a tavern.
The last one, Boondock's, closed around 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered businesses nationwide in its wake.
It's fitting that the newest business in Laingsburg, a city founded by a tavern owner in the 1830s, is also a tavern.
Tank's Tavern had a soft opening on Thursday ahead of its grand opening this weekend. Owner Frank McGillis, a local real estate agent, says he and his partner bought the bar last year and began renovating it in October.
"[We] took it from a saloon, a country bar if you will, and made it into a sports bar," McGillis said. "I always thought it would be cool to open a bar but I never thought it would be a reality."
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McGillis says they've hired on 40 staff members including bartenders, cooks and servers. Thursday was tough, according to McGillis, as they dealt with long wait times and a broken tap.
But the restaurant persevered, McGillis said, and served a packed house amid a time of economic uncertainty and low consumer sentiment.
"People are loyal here in Laingsburg and people will take care of you," McGillis said.
Consumer sentiment is hovering around 50.8% according to a survey from the University of Michigan released last week. It's the second lowest rate going back to 1952 according to the report.
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Sandy McCord, who has called Laingsburg home for 44 years, says he came to support the business belonging to his son's childhood friend.
"It's a leap of faith. If [McGillis] can do it now, he can do it anytime," McCord said. "Nothing like a challenge."
Its also a challenge because eating out at restaurants has gotten more expensive. The Consumer Price Index shows the cost of eating at full service restaurants has risen 4.1% since March 2024.
McGillis is unfazed by the economy's unpredictability, without a second thought that his business will tank.
"If you've got great food and cold beer they're going to be here," McGillis said.
"I'm all-in on it. I'm confident."
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