The
Sidetrack Bar and Grill is taking on an ambitious expansion and renovation project that could make Ypsilanti's Depot Town an even more enticing stop for the restaurant and nightlife crowds. Last month, Sidetrack purchased a 6,000-square-foot building at 52 E. Cross St. from the owners of Bird Brain, which relocated elsewhere.
"We were looking outside of the area because it made sense, with the economic times here, instead of doing new construction, to just buy another place..[but]we wanted to keep investing in the city of Ypsilanti," says Linda French, owner of Sidetrack.
The building adjoins Sidetrack and Frenchie's
http://www.sidetrackbarandgrill.com/frenchies/ at 54-56 E. Cross St. It has been completely restored and still has its wall-to-wall brick interior. French says it will house a new kitchen and bathroom facilities for Sidetrack.
Moreover, Sidetrack will be moving upward into its three-story premises. The 5,000-square-foot second floor will be used for catering events and larger parties. Sidetrack will be putting the proceeds of a $15,000 rehabilitation grant from the Ypsilanti DDA towards window replacement and tuck pointing on the second and third floors. French would like to turn the third story into apartments.
The projects are currently in the planning, design, and licensing phases. A completion date is unknown at this time, according to French. She plans to add 30 jobs as a result of the expansions.
"We [have] one of the last remaining buildings in Depot Town that hasn't [been restored]," French says. "It's a big deal to get this corner redone."
Source: Linda French, owner of Sidetrack
Writer: Tanya Muzumdar
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.