220 Lake Street

Oct. 26, 2008

Don’t call it The Tannery, because if that’s what you are expecting, then you’re in for a big surprise at the all-new 220 Lake Street restaurant and nightclub in Boyne City.
Gone is the dark, smoke-filled watering hole with its U-shaped bar–in its place, a light-filled dining space with Northern Michigan’s largest Corian bar snaking its way along the right wall. The only thing Boyne City’s newest restaurant has in common with its predecessor is its address.
The building has been a fixture of the small community for at least 100 years. Built around the turn of the 1900s, it served as a hardware store for at least 50 years. It was also home to a second-hand antique store, with the upstairs portion used as apartments.
It’s hard to say when 220 Lake Street became a bar, but many locals agree it was by the ’70s, at the latest. Many credit Terry Toomey for naming it the Tannery Saloon in a nod to one of Boyne’s most enduring industries.
But now the restaurant on the corner of Lake and Main streets is owned by Chris Thiel, a downstate native who fell in love with Northern Michigan after vacationing here. Thiel chose Boyne City because of its year-round appeal to locals and tourists alike. He emphasized quality in the restaurant’s makeover. What was supposed to be a six month project turned into nearly a year and a half of renovations.

QUALITY UPGRADES:
General manager Greg Mastin says the old bar was basically gutted. Because of the extensive changes, a lot of upgrades had to be made and new codes had to be met.
The brick walls remain, but the floor is now a mixture of ceramic and stone. There is a fireplace with the words: “The place on the corner where friends meet” inlaid in the mantel. The restaurant boasts one of the area’s largest outdoor patios for people who enjoy dining al fresco.
Mastin notes that a lot of time was spent upgrading the restaurant’s kitchen, and planning the new menu took considerable effort. One diner said that opening up the menu was like “opening up a newspaper,” owing to its depth and diversity. Everyone at her table agreed the food was delicious and agreed there was a lot of variety, something the new owners strived for…”a little something for everyone.”
It’s the attention to detail that makes 220 Lake Street stand out. The tables are all named after streets in Boyne City, and whenever anyone says they’ve been to 220, it’s inevitably followed by the question “Did you see the bathrooms?” When you first walk into either the ladies’ or men’s room you’ll notice Lake Charlevoix is etched onto the floor, with a Petoskey stone marking Boyne City. Each stall or urinal is named after a local body of water or attraction, like Walloon Lake, Fisherman’s Island or Young State Park. The stall doors are made of etched glass and, like the bar, the counter tops are also made from Corian and in an ingenious design move the paper towel is neatly tucked underneath the counter and can be pulled up like tissues. It’s all touch-free and very clean. Plus you can breathe easy, the main bar and outside dining area are both smoke free.
Executive chef, Monty Wilhelm, has almost 25 years of experience under his belt. For the last 11 years he has created dishes in some of Northern Michigan’s finest dining establishments. Wilhelm describes 220’s menu as “comfort food,” with lots of local favorites like broasted chicken, Friday night fish fry’s and homemade fruit cobbler.

FRIENDLY HOURS
Word on the street also says that the breakfast at 220 is not to be missed. Mastlin agrees and says the breakfast menu is a real value; you can get it almost anytime you want.
Plus, the restaurant has some of the most diner-friendly hours you’ll find anywhere in Northern Michigan. In the summer, 220 Lake Street is open 24 hours from Thursday-Saturday. Now that winter is approaching, the restaurant/bar closes after last call Sunday through Wednesday. It reopens at 5:30 a.m. and stays open all night Wednesday through Saturday. Insomniacs or those working odd hours can choose something delicious from the late night or breakfast menus.
With all the aesthetic upgrades and menu changes, it’s easy to forget that 220 is also a bar -- the biggest in Boyne City in terms of square footage. There is a large selection of beer, wine and of course, liquor. On Sundays noon to 4 p.m., 220 hosts a Bloody Mary Bar. You choose what kind of vodka you’d like then proceed to add whatever premium ingredients you wish, like olives stuffed with bleu cheese.
Tuesday nights are wine nights. Wine enthusiasts can sample a variety of different vintages and listen to guest speakers talk about different topics of interest.

UPSTAIRS NIGHT CLUB
Upstairs you will find Levels, the nightclub side of 220 Lake Street. This is the one part of the building old patrons of the Tannery will find familiar. As the name suggests, there are multiple levels to the night club, with a full service bar and outside deck on the uppermost floor. Live bands provide the entertainment on Thursdays and Saturdays, while crowds gather on Wednesdays and Fridays for karaoke. Last winter, Levels hosted a euchre tournament. Mastin said they are considering holding a similar event this year. He also wants to have special promotions and events like movie screenings during the colder months to draw people in off the slopes.
There are big plans for the future, according to Mastin. The space upstairs will be expanded and renovated to create a VIP area where large groups can gather for private parties or other functions. There are also plans to expand the outdoor patio to the sidewalk, and possibly build a covered three-seasons room to extend seating.
Hostess Jody Webb agrees the changes have been dramatic, and people who used to frequent The Tannery are amazed when they first walk in. She says they can’t believe it’s the same building.
“It just has such an upbeat atmosphere now,” says Webb. “It’s so bright and cheerful, and it’s not just because of all the light and windows. The staff is so friendly and the space is really inviting.”
So if you’re looking for a good meal followed by a night of entertainment, check out 220 Lake Street in Boyne City. You can find it on the internet at www.220LakeStreet.com, and of course, it has its own Myspace page too.