Peter Berishaj enjoys fixing things.
He enjoys taking an old business with a great past and breathing new life into a bright future ? and that’s exactly what he plans to do with The Nickelodeon Restaurant.
Berishaj and his wife Ann have been in the Clarkston community since they purchased the Olde Village Cage nine years ago. The Waterford residents have actually been in the restaurant business for 25 years
Berishaj has owned a couple establishments in Detroit, one in Rochester and another in Troy, He even owned a night club in Pontiac about 13 years ago. The Clarkston business owner enjoys taking run-down restaurants and bringing them back to life before reselling them.
‘I’ve owned five or six restaurants over the years,? explained Berishaj. ‘I buy them and then make them into something great’make them somewhere special.?
‘That’s what I was going to do with this one (Olde Village Cafe), but the people are so great,? added Berishaj. ‘I don’t know what it would take to get me out of here, These are some of the best customers I’ve ever had.?
Purchasing The Nickelodeon though has touched yet another level for this businessman. Berishaj recalled visiting the restaurant in his youth with friends and family. He told tales of stopping for a beer after ski trips, and even taking his wife there while dating.
‘It brings so many memories back to me,? said Berishaj. ‘It was a nice place.?
‘Back then, if somebody was going to tell me I would one day own that place, I would have laughed at them.?
Berishaj said his friendship with the previous owners ? Michael Asim, Demetrious Asim and Steve Gabriel ? goes back for years. He remembers his decision to actually buy the restaurant began as a joke.
‘We were joking around about fixing the place up,? he remembers. ‘I said, ‘Why don’t you fix the place up,? and they snapped back, ‘Why don’t you buy it and do it yourself.? I knew there was so much work to be done but at the price, I decided to do it.?
The actual purchase of the establishment took about eight months, including transferring over the two liquor licenses. Berishaj said he is grateful to Oxford Bank for working with his dream.
When looking at revitalizing the historic eatery, Berishaj said he plans to focus his efforts on the restaurant. His goal is to create a family restaurant that features a mixture of American and Italian cuisine.
The restaurant will keep the antique theme, but Berishaj plans to expand upon the motif and bring more color to the decor.
As for the building, the Clarkston businessman expects the kitchen to be his greatest challenge. He plans to replace all the cooking equipment with updated models. He is also having new flooring and ceilings installed.
Berishaj said he is looking at refurbishing the ‘garden room,? but fears keeping the greenhouse-like area would not be cost effective.
‘I’m still looking into whether or not that’s possible,? he explained. ‘Right now it leaks and allows a lot of heat to escape.?
Berishaj is also renovating the exterior slightly. He currently has plans to remove the ‘out building? forming the side entrance and create one grand entrance facing the parking lot. Plenty of landscaping and attractive scenery is also included.
As for the small attached store, Berishaj plans on keeping the business; however, he looks to change the tone from a convenience stop to a high-end wine and specialty food shop.
‘I want to concentrate on the food though, not the liquor,? said Berishaj. ‘I’m trying to have a more family-oriented establishment.?
Berishaj expects to have the restaurant open in early spring, around March or April. The business will feature lunch and dinner. Plans are underway to then follow with the wine shop.
‘To me, owning a restaurant is not about the money, it’s about the challenge,? said Berishaj. ‘To see a place like this come back to life is exciting. To bring it back to the way it should be is what I live for.
‘I like the process of fixing and making a business successful. Will I sell this one later? I don’t know. I’m still in Clarkston with this one.?