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COMMUNITY PAGE 1-B
January 27, 2011
New Beginnings: New businesses set to open downtown By Steven Howard Heritage Media
owntown Saline soon will be home to a set of new businesses, as Pete Toarmina said he and his partners hope to have Mangiamo Italian Grill, the adjacent bar, as well as Mickey’s Downtown ice cream parlor open for business within a month. “Our last hang up is waiting for the hood to be delivered for the pizza oven,” Toarmina said, standing in the former Kelly’s on Saturday afternoon. “As soon as the hood system is in, I’ll call the health department and it should only be two or three weeks after that.” Toarmina said he and his partners have been working tirelessly over the past eight months to turn the two buildings into unique and inviting businesses, doing much of the renovations and updates themselves. “We’ve been working our hind ends off in here,” Toarmina said with a smile. “It has been 10- to 14-hour days, seven days a week.” The restaurant has extensive hardwood flooring throughout, photographs and other décor evocative of the Italian cuisine that will be served there, as well as a substantial pizza bar surrounding the traditional oven. Toarmina said hours thought and preparation have gone into creating an original menu, and also said there will be a good list of drink pairings to accompany the food. “We very specifically are featuring Michigan wines and wines from Italy,” he said. The bar area is filled with regional sports photos, and other memorabilia from various aspects of life in the city, and will feature a substantial draft beer selection. “We’ll have 10 beers on tap,” Toarmina said. “We’ll have a few of the big names, and then craft beers from around the state.” The Mickey’s Downtown ice cream business exists in a separated space in front of the restaurant, and has the feeling of an old-fashioned soda shop, complete with red and white flooring and seating, chromelooking tables, and an awning over the counter. Toarmina has years of experience serving ice cream
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in Saline at his Mickey’s Dairy Twist location on the west end of town, and said he will mix a little of what people have come to know over there with some new surprises. “We won’t have everything we have there,” he said. “But we’ll have a few things here that we don’t have there.” What is common among the restaurant, bar and ice cream shop is that all have been created with an eye toward customer service, Toarmina said. It’s the small things that count, he said, such as the installation of devices within the bar’s beer lines that prevent spiting and spraying when a keg goes dry, and keep the tap from foaming when a new barrel is connected. Though the small pieces cost $120 extra per line, in the end Toarmina said customers will appreciate such details. “It’s about the perception of the person who gets the next beer,” he said of when the keg is changed. Toarmina said he will need to hire about 20 staff members to help him run the establishments, and has begun taking applications for positions across the food and beverage service spectrum. Toarmina said he had people applying almost as soon as word had gotten out that he purchased the buildings, but said it would be beneficial for anyone who did so to stop back in and reapply. There is also 4,000 square feet above the restaurant, and Toarmina said he would like to rent it to a commercial tenant. Toarmina said he is a little nervous now that opening day is drawing near, but added it will also be a relief to get things under way. “Hopefully, a month from now we’re open,” he said. Work on the exterior sign that will replace the old Kelly’s marker has been delayed slightly given the shop Toarmina is going through is in Wayne and adjacent to the William C. Franks Furniture store destroyed in last month’s explosion. The sign maker’s computer was damaged in the blast, Toarmina said, and conceptual drawings had to be redone. Steven Howard can be reached at 429-7380 or showard@heritage.com. Follow his blog at http://heritagewest staff.blogspot.com.
Pete Toarmina stands in front of newly-installed beer lines inside the renovated cooler to the rear of the bar area at Mangiamo Italian Grill. The establisment is in the former Kelly’s location on East Michigan Avenue. The interior of Mickey’s Downtown as it appeared on Saturday. Pete Toarmina said the tables and chairs just came in the day prior.
Pete Toarmina holds up a glass bearing the Mangiamo inscription at his restaurant in the former Kelly’s building.
From left: Lexie Adams, Leah Jording and Tori Walega stand behind the counter inside the new Mickey’s Downtown ice cream shop on Saturday. All of the women work at the Mickey’s Dairy Twist location on the west side of Saline, and owner Pete Toarmina said he likely will have employees from that location come and help get things underway downtown.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR SALINE Wednesday, Jan. 19 through Wednesday, Feb. 23 ■ Youth dodge ball is being offered at the Saline Recreation Center. The program takes place from 3:10 to 4:10 p.m. Wednesdays for sixth- and seventh-graders and 4:20 to 5:20 p.m. for students in second through fifth grade. The cost is $39 for members, $49 for nonmembers through Jan. 12 and $44 for members, $54 for nonmembers starting Jan. 13. For more information or to register, call 429-3502. ■ Adult dodge ball league is being offered at the Saline Recreation Center. This league takes place from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Anyone 16 an older is eligible to participate. The registration fee is $225 per team. For more information, contact Saline Parks and Recreation at 429-3502.
Starting Wednesday, Jan. 19 and Thursday, Jan. 20 ■ First Steps Playgroups will be offered through Saline Community Education. Each parent/child class provides opportunities for playing together with a variety of toys in a preschool setting. Child development information is available throughout the session, as well as developmental screenings. Each class ends with a circle time that includes songs, movement activities and bubbles. Siblings are welcome. When registering, include the names of siblings that will be attending.
The fee is per family. Two weekly sessions on Wednesdays or Thursdays are available for children age 3 and younger. The fee is $40. For more information, visit www.salineonline.org or call the Saline Community Education Office at 429-8020.
Beginning Thursday, Jan. 20 ■ Watercolors class for those 18 and older will be offered through Saline Community Education. The class has been designed for beginning and experienced artists, and will cover both basic and advanced painting techniques in transparent watercolors. Classes will be held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursdays through March 24 in the senior center. The fee is $60. For more information, visit www.salineonline.org or call the Saline Community Education Office at 429-8020. ■ “Introduction to Dog Agility” will be offered through Saline Community Education. In a positive reinforcement environment, dog/handler teams will be introduced to the performance and handling of all of the obstacles and equipment utilized in the sport of dog agility. Class work will be appropriate for the age and skill and experience level of the class participants. Dogs should have all veterinary recommended vaccinations to attend class and be at least three months old. Dogs will be on a leash in class, so off-leash skills are not required to attend class. Classes will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursdays through Feb. 24 at Copper Leaf Crossing, 4950 Saline-Ann Arbor Road. The fee is $85. For
more information, visit www.salineonline.org or call the Saline Community Education Office at 429-8020.
Friday, Jan. 21 ■ Saline Parks and Recreation will be offering a Fun Day at the Recreation Center. Children ages 5 through 12 will play games, make crafts and go swimming during the day off from school. Parents can drop off their children as early as 7 a.m. and pick them up as late as 6 p.m. The fee is $39 for members, $49 for non-members through Jan. 15 and $44 for members, $54 for non-members starting Jan. 16. For more information or to register, call 429-3502.
Saturday, Jan. 22 ■ Parent/child science workshops will be held at the Saline District Library. Students ages 6 through 11 and their parents are invited to register for a hands-on science workshop at the library at 3 p.m. This will be the first of three monthly programs that comprise the 2011 Family Reading & Science Program facilitated and presented by staff of the University of Michigan Exhibit Museum of Natural History. The theme for 2011 is “Discover Water.” The first workshop, “Water Wonders,” explores what water is and what it can do. The workshops are free, but registration is required. Call the Youth Department at 429-5450, to register. ■ Movie Night at the Pool will be offered through Saline Community Education. Come join us for a relaxing night at the pool for a movie and pizza.
Bring your favorite raft and enjoy the movie on the big screen. The fee will include pizza and refreshments at 6:30 p.m., and the movie will begin at 7:15 p.m. Register early as space is limited to the first 50 registrations. Each person must register. Children age 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. The fee is $7 per person, and the event will be held at the high school pool. For more information, visit www.salineonline.org or call the Saline Community Education Office at 429-8020.
Beginning Monday, Jan. 24 ■ “Kindermusik: Our Time” will be offered through Saline Community Education. Meet many animal characters in books activities and songs, each specifically chosen for a toddler’s emerging interests and physical skills. With silly bumpy lap bounces we’ll help toddlers develop rhythm while further developing their everemerging language skills with a special stringed instrument emphasis in the music from class parents can bring home the violin cello and orchestra sounds to help their toddlers stay happy and engaged learners at home, too. A parent or caregiver is expected to attend with child during the last 10 minutes of class. The fee is $200. This class is for ages 18 months to 2 1/2 years. Classes will be held from 11 to 11:45 a.m. Mondays through May 9 in Liberty Room 32. For more information, visit www.salineonline.org or call the Saline Community Education Office at 429-8020.
■ “Puppy and Dog Training Fundamentals I” will be offered through Saline Community Education. Whether your dog is 10 weeks old or 10 years old, this is the class for you. The focus is on teaching you to teach your dog using positive reinforcement clicker training techniques. The class is offered to dogs 10 weeks or older. The course will cover basic obedience training, management and exercise programs, socialization and discussions on Canine Learning Theory. All dogs must be comfortable around strange dogs and people to attend this class. Class will run from 6:15 to 7:30 pm. For more information, visit www.salineonline.org or call the Saline Community Education Office at 429-8020. ■ “Chess Wizards” for students in kindergarten through fifth grade will be offered through Saline Community Education. It’s offering specifically designed classes that cater to all levels of chess ability. For more information, including specific dates and fees, visit www.salineonline.org or call the Saline Community Education Office at 429-8020. ■ “How is Making Dino Bones Like Kool-Aid?” will be offered for students in kindergarten through fifth grade through Saline Community Education. Come and learn the secret connection between the making of fossils and Kool-Aid. At the same time, find out what it takes to dig for dinosaur bones and other fossils, and make your own “fossil” mold and cast. The fee is $22. For more information including specific dates and locations, visit www.salineonline.org or call the Saline Community Education Office at 429-8020.
Tuesday, Jan. 25 ■ Saline High School will host its annual Choral Night at the Saline High School Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Starting Tuesday Jan. 25 through Thursday, Jan. 27 ■ “Book Cooks” will be offered through Saline Community Education for students in kindergarten through third grade. The class will celebrate winter with “The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash,” “The Mitten” and “Jam and Bread for Frances.” Students will make and eat the snacks that the books inspire. The fee is $30. Weekly classes will be held from 3:40 to 4:40 p.m. on Tuesdays at Harvest Elementary, on Wednesdays at Woodland Meadows or Thursdays at Pleasant Ridge. For more information, visit www. salineonline.org or call the Saline Community Education Office at 429-8020.
Beginning Wednesday, Jan. 26 ■ “Junior Jazzercise” will be offered for students in first through third grades through Saline Community Education. Each session ends with a mini performance. No previous dance experience necessary. Students should wear comfortable clothing and athletic shoes and bring a water bottle to class. The fee is $85 to take classes through March 16 or PLEASE SEE CALENDAR/3-B