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Saturday, October 3, 2009
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Breezy Point restaurant promises value, remembers past BIZ BUZZ Senior Reporter Soon a Billy's at Breezy Point sign with a vintage-looking supper club design noting steaks, seafood and cocktails will be in place in the former Birchwood Restaurant on County Road 11 by Breezy Point.
Billy Pestello and Chris Jensen purchased the restaurant and plan an opening in early to mid-November depending on remodeling progress.
The restaurant, which opened about two years ago in a new building, was the passion of the late Jerry Pierson, who owned the Commander restaurant and bar in Breezy Point. Pierson died in 2008. Clarice Blaeser tried to keep her late husband's dream going. But Pestello said the restaurant closed its doors on Dec. 31, 2008.
Billy's at Breezy Point plans to feature a value menu with steaks, seafood, pasta and be home to the $1 tap beer with 14 tap beers to choose from, Pestello said.
Different baskets with grilled salmon are planned. Pestello said he wants to offer items that are off the beaten path.
Pestello said he can't put enough emphasis on the idea of creating a value for people who want to be able to afford going out to eat.
"We're not looking to own an island in the Bahamas," Pestello said. "We live in the neighborhood. ... We just thought it was sad to see (the building) sit empty. ... We're going to impress on good friendly service and real value-oriented menu. We want to be a friendly quality night out for anybody who is willing to come."
If Pestello's name sounds familiar in terms of restaurants, it is. His family has Pestello's bar and grill along Highway 371 in Pequot Lakes.
In the former Birchwood's remodeling, the old bar was torn out and the interior is being extensively remodeled. Previously, a smaller dining room and deli/bakery flanked the entrance and the rear of the building opened into a large space with dining, games and the bar area.
Now a 35-seat circular bar is going in the middle of that space with booths along the room's perimeter and privacy walls used to create seating areas.
Pestello said the room was so wide open before, the seating areas are being designed to create a greater comfort level for customers. The former bakery and deli will be made into a game room. Remodeling efforts are opening the smaller dining room, which will be available for private parties.
The restaurant will seat about 120 in the bar and dining area and about 80 in the private room. Expectations are to hire 15 to 20 people to start.
Pestello said he lives about a block away from the restaurant and kept seeing the closed building. While the recession poses a challenge to business owners, Pestello said it also creates opportunities, such as a good price on the former Birchwood that afforded them the chance to make it their own.
Plans are to keep some of the outside signs to remember Pierson.
"We're carrying the torch here for Jerry," Pestello said. "So we're going to remember him."
And the trick to surviving a still tricky economy?
"I think a good friendly staff and a good valued menu will bring people in," Pestello said. "We want them to go 'wow that was a great plate of food for 12 bucks and the people were friendly and the service was great' and that's our goal."
Northern National Bank, which has offices in Baxter, Nisswa and Crosslake, is hosting a celebration on Oct. 19 to coincide with its upcoming name change to Frandsen Bank & Trust and when its merger with sister banks Frandsen Bank & Trust and Community Bank of the Red River Valley becomes official. The three banks have been owned by Frandsen Financial Corp. since 2008. Frandsen Financial Corp. is headquartered in Arden Hills.
A ceremony is planned at 9 a.m. Oct. 19. Northern National Bank President Jim Kraft is planning to host a news conference and unveil the bank's new logo and sign during the ceremony.
In a news release, Kraft said the merger will allow customers of the three banks here to access an expanded network of 21 bank offices in Minnesota and North Dakota. Kraft said the banks will maintain their same leadership teams and will continue to function as local, independent community banks.
"The only real chance will be a new name - Frandsen Bank & Trust - and many more options for our customers," Kraft said.
RENEE RICHARDSON, senior reporter, may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.
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