March 29, 2024

Make a Stop at the Paper Station

July 16, 2015

When Mary Ellen Hughes retired and closed beloved Mary Ellen’s Place – a soda fountain, cafe and newsstand that had been part of downtown Harbor Springs since 1928 – no one knew what would happen to the building.

Enter husband and wife restaurateurs Mike and Tawna Naturkas who are aiming to revitalize the space into something new, while honoring the old.

BISTRO GOALS

Although they already own several coffee shops around the region, the Naturkas wanted to open a restaurant right in the town they actually live in.

"We wanted to have a gathering place for guests to enjoy excellent food and drink," Mike Naturkas said.

They’ve deconstructed the old space, crafting bistro-style seating, with a front that opens to reveal an open-air restaurant in warm weather.

"Redesigning the space has been a bit of a challenge, but I believe that Mary Ellen will be proud of what it’s becoming," Naturkas said.

Four layers of tile and an engineered floor were stripped away to reveal a maple floor, which is being reclaimed and refinished to add to the new 1930s motif.

Another nod to the "˜30s is the bistro’s name, which references the space’s original use as the Cleeland/Linehan newsstand more than 80 years ago.

"Paper Station comes from the fact that Mary Ellen was known for selling papers and magazines," Naturkas explained, "and the fact that the space sold papers even before her, going way back."

QUALITY CONTROL

Paper Station’s food is a definite 180 from soda fountain fare. The Naturkas plan to serve breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night small plate food; the eatery will stay open seven days a week from 7am to midnight.

The prices – which Naturkas said will range from $5 to $20, specials excepted – will remain the same from lunch to dinner.

"A lot of people here build restaurants and gear them to transients and tourists," he said, "but we are building this place with locals in mind. I think that’s the biggest thing that will make us different. That, and the higher quality food we’ll be serving, things like local bacon from Plath’s and our other meats, which we are bringing in from Fairway Packing at Detroit’s Eastern Market."

Naturkas said Paper Station also plans to make heavy use of the Harbor Springs Farmers Market, the ingredients from which will dictate many of the salads and some of the specials.

"What’s fresh that day is often what we’ll use," he confirmed.

MICHIGAN TO MEXICO

The Naturkas, who are originally from Detroit, but travel frequently, teamed up with chef Vince Kowalewicz to put together Paper Bistro’s menu. Kowalewicz’ work in Mexico, California and Colorado also influenced the menu’s cuisine.

Breakfasts will showcase wide range of egg selections, including omelettes that can be rolled into burritos, and full breakfast deals like the 3 Pigs Skillet with ham, bacon and sausage.

Appetizers and small plates include Paper Station’s unique Two-Bite Tostadas with pork or chorizo; truffle fries; handdipped onion rings with chipotle or BBQ sauce; and panko-crusted Wisconsin cheese curds.

If you’ve still got enough room for lunch or dinner, Paper Station can oblige with their grilled Reuben from house-made corned beef and apple kraut on marble rye or their Double-Decker BLT. Their selection of craft burgers will include the Top Shelf Wagyu beef burger, the classic Station Burger and the Black Bean burger with avocado and jack cheese.

"I think the movement of new restaurants coming in to Harbor Springs will create a buzz around it as a destination place," Naturkas said. "And we are excited to see how people will react to our place."

Paper Station Bistro will be open by the end of June at 145 E. Main Street in downtown Harbor Springs. For more information, visit paperstationbistro.com.

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