A new journey began for the West family of Lake Leelanau over the weekend as they venture into the food and beverage industry with their own business called “Locals Lake Leelanau” set to open this spring and replaces Northern Latitudes Distillery that moved right up the street.
Tony West, originally from Denver, Colorado, and graduated from Traverse City Central in 2000 has lived in the area for nearly two decades. During that time he has served as food and beverage director for several businesses, including the past 11 years at the Leland Lodge.
“When you feel local and a part of something, it just is really cool,” West said. “I’ve always had that feeling about my management style, and how I operate is just incorporating the feeling like they’re part of the family.”
Roughly six months ago, West began to look for different opportunities and so he began writing an idea down on a piece of paper during poker night at his home bar.
He developed a full concept for a restaurant, catering, and retail shop business that’s unique to the past and present of Lake Leelanau. Even a menu and other features that highlight the best of Leelanau County.
West will bring a touch of the former Thunderbird gift shop back to the building.
A retail and gift shop will focus on local products, from clothing to honey to cherries.
Locals will also offer catering. The business invested in a customized smoker, a staple in his days at the Leland Lodge. That smoke’s nickname is “Thunderbird.”
West wants to pride the new restaurant on being a vital community resource or “community center.”
They will also be available for catering needs at weddings, open houses, and more, along with the ability to rent out their space.
“I want people to feel like, hey, we want to have an open house here, so we’re looking at having a cool catering aspect, including high school graduation parties, West said. “We want to be local.”
West has many plans, one that includes being somewhat of a boaters drive through from the shores of Lake Leelanau.
The style of the restaurant will be upscale public food that interacts with music and has a certain vibe. They are currently remodeling and are ready for a few surprises along the way.
“I’m so grateful for the community; I just like being involved, and I love it, man,” West said. “The best thing is you get to go in, and you never know what to expect, and you get to take that day and recreate any problem to a positive solution.”
After graduating from high school, he went west but always remained in food and beverage, from managing bars. West eventually came back to Michigan and found a spot in Lake Leelanau, and started being a patron at Dick’s Pour House. West and many others brought the Walleye Festival back and incorporated the Blues Festival. He has grown a love for hosting significant events and coordinating wine and food festivals.
West thinks the food and beverage business of the region is going to continue to thrive.
“I want this location to complement all the other awesome locations in our town and in our region,” West said.
West hopes his restaurant will stand up to the likes of Dick’s, VI Grill/Fiddleheads, Nittolos, and more, adding to the Lake Leelanau flavor.
The restaurant will start with a focus on food, along with beer and wine.
“You could have a wine flight with five tasters from wineries in Lake Leelanau,” West said. “My dream was my own food and beverage establishment because I love the everyday hustle.”
West and his wife, Katheryn, have four children.
After getting the keys this weekend, the family had a special moment together.
“I’m just grateful for the blessings, and we took some time here this weekend and prayed. We talked about the vision. We talked about the opportunity to be together in this venture, and besides being overwhelmed with gratitude, I’m so grateful to do it with my family. It is such a blessing, and they’re pumped,” he said.
West thanks all the local businesses that have reached out to support the endeavor.
“Everybody wants the best for you ... You don’t find that in many areas of our world nowadays,” he said.
Locals plans to open May 1 with a goal of being open seven days a week with even a latenight offering.
