It’s taken a lot longer to begin construction of a new Sagebrush Cantina than owner Dia Zaraga thought it would.
After a kitchen fire destroyed the popular Lake Orion downtown restaurant in March 2004 and other businesses nearby, Zaraga was optimistic rebuilding could begin almost immediately.
It wasn’t a problem with village officials. ‘The village has been great,? he said.
According to Zaraga, insurance details took quite a while because of the other businesses that were affected by the fire.
And then there’s the common wall issue. The old Sagebrush building had been tied in with the building next to it (housed All State before the fire).
Zaraga said it had been expected the owner would tear it down, but he’s resisting doing so. ‘So now, we have to have a separate wall,? Zaraga added.
He also just found out the foundation wall has to come down. He had expected to begin construction by the end of March
‘It’s difficult working in the village between two buildings. If it (new restaurant) had been freestanding, it would have been done by now,? Zaraga added.
According to Steve Auger, architect of the project, all the permit requests have been sent on to the state and approvals are expected at any time. He predicted construction could begin by the end of the month.
The new two story building is approximately 16,000 square feet. It will house the new restaurant, Oldies Ice Cream, a retail store front (where Kimberly Travel used to be) and offices upstairs.
‘Downstairs (of the restaurant) will almost be an identical layout (to the old one). The bar and restrooms will be in the same place. We’ll have the hardwood floors and plan on copying the (old) bar top.
‘It will be more convenient, a little bit wider (the main floor) and there will be some waiting areas,? Zaraga.
The old restaurant could seat up to 160 people; the main floor of the new one will have seating for 188. A carry-out counter will be situated at the back of the restaurant.
The second floor of the restaurant will seat 130 people, have a bar and a small kitchen.
According to Zaraga, the upstairs can also be used as a waiting area. Full dinners won’t be served, but patrons can order snacks/appetizers.
‘That’s where we’ll have entertainment,? he said. ‘People can just hang out and watch TV.?
Upstairs big windows will face the lake and can be opened in the warmer months. ‘You’ll feel like your sitting outside,? Zaraga added.
Auger said the exterior of the building will be similar to the old one except that it will be eight feet taller. Big cornices will highlight the top of the building. Exterior brick will be the same color
A set of doors facing Broadway can be used to access the second floor.
When Zaraga first came before the village council last year, his plans were to construct a one story building. At the urging of the council, he decided to add a second story.
He admits now he wishes he would have stayed with the one story building. ‘I did very well with the one story (the old restaurant), but the two story is nice. It’s a beautiful building,? he added.
After the fire, Zaraga opened another Sagebrush Cantina in Fenton. He said people in Fenton didn’t know much about the Sagebrush, but business is getting better and better.
He estimates more than 50 percent of his customers are from the Orion/Oxford area. He plans to remodel the outside of the Fenton restaurant to make it look more like a cantina.
Currently the building has an open porch which will be enclosed so it can be used in winter.
Despite rumors, Zaraga doesn’t plan on opening any more restaurants. He said the two will keep him plenty busy.
Estimated cost of damage done to the Sagebrush due to the fire was $1,200,000. Oldies Ice Cream damage tallied $100,000.
Reconstruction of those two is estimated at $2,300,000 for the Sagebrush and $250,000 for Oldies Ice Cream.