By Dan Shriner
Review Editor
If things go as planned, a new restaurant, featuring healthy Lebanese fare, is coming to downtown Lake Orion.
Owners of Anita’s Kitchen, a popular Lebanese Caf? restaurant on Woodward Ave. in Ferndale, presented its plan on Monday night to the Lake Orion Planning Commission to put the company’s second location in a building at the corner of W. Flint and S. Lapeer streets.
The location, at 45 W. Flint, would be remodeled with inside seating for 70 to 75 and room for another 45 customers on an outside deck that would overlook downtown. The outside of the building would feature dark gray and brown brick. There would also be an outside staircase entrance for some upstairs office suites.
Anita’s Kitchen owner, Joe Wegrzyn, said he was excited about coming to Lake Orion and becoming a big part ofthe community.
The restaurant was founded by Wegrzyn’s in’laws, Pierre and Anita Farah, who have been selling healthy Lebanese food for more than 30 years. They have been called pioneers of Lebanese food in the Detroit area.
‘We would like to think of ourselves as the best little Lebanese sports bar in America,? he said.
The restaurant in Ferndale is a gathering spot for customers who enjoy Lebanese food. He said the Lake Orion restaurant would have soft music playing and a limited number of televisions. The restaurant is perfect for couples and families who want a quiet day or evening out with conversation and fresh, healthy food, Wegrzyn said.
Planning commission members were provided details on the development by Steve Auger, of Stephen Auger and Associates Architects, and Wegrzyn.
The plan received unanimous approval from the planning commission and it now goes to the village council for itsconsideration. If approval is given by the village council, Auger said he hoped that remodeling could begin ‘asap.?
‘I like the plans,? said Lake Orion Village Council President Ken VanPortfliet, who also serves on the planning commission. ‘It will be a better and more attractive view for visitors coming into downtown (from M?24). It sounds like a great project.?
Other commission members also voiced their approval. The only issue, some said, could be an increased need for parking in the downtown area. There also was concern that many customers might try to park illegally at the nearby auto parts store or bank.
Wegrzyn said he also wishes there could be more room for parking adjacent to the restaurant but he said he has found that in Ferndale customers don’t mind parking and walking a couple of blocks. Plus, it will provide more foot traffic in downtown, he said.
‘We are very excited about this and we want to be something special in this community,? Wegrzyn said.
The restaurant tentatively would be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. each night. Wegrzyn said he planned to work with the Lake Orion Downtown Development Authority to try to secure a liquor license.