Lovers of Mexican food, rejoice.
Over two years after a fire gutted the restaurant, the Sagebrush Cantina is almost ready to be welcomed back into downtown Lake Orion.
A fire that started in the kitchen of the restaurant destroyed the old Sagebrush in March of 2004, taking with it several other nearby businesses.
Now the grand reopening of the new Sagebrush, located in the same spot as the old one on Broadway just south of Flint Street, is only about two months away.
‘We are shooting right now for a grand opening in late June or early July,? said owner Dia Zaraga.
Zaraga said there have been a few delays on construction, but nothing major. The project is currently about two weeks behind schedule.
‘I’m pretty pleased with how the project has gone,? he said. ‘It’s been a challenge. I just want to get it behind me, and get back to doing what I do best—being a restaurateur—not construction.?
Zaraga hopes to welcome diners back in time for the annual Jubilee Carnival, which traditionally takes place in downtown Lake Orion at the end of June.
The new Sagebrush includes two floors, with the downstairs as the primary restaurant. Seating there will accommodate 20 more than the old building.
‘Our seating capacity for the downstairs will be 180 people,? Zaraga said. ‘We will still have the same menu as before, with six new dinner items added.?
The upstairs floor will be used for banquets and events, but won’t be open for some time.
‘There’s still quite a bit of work to do up there,? Zaraga said, adding that the plan for the top floor is one that excites him.
‘Originally, the idea was to do just a deck up there,? he said, noting that the Village of Lake Orion talked him into making it a second story of the restaurant.
However, outside atmosphere will still exist.
‘We plan to have outdoor seating for about 30 people up there,? said Zaraga. ‘There will be an outside balcony included on the top floor.?
The new Sagebrush will have the same hours as the old one, open seven days a week from 11a.m.-2 a.m.
‘We are starting to hire new cooks now (for Lake Orion), because all my old cooks are now working at the Fenton Sagebrush,? Zaraga said. ‘Half of our waitstaff will probably return…We are hoping some of them won’t want to make the drive to Fenton anymore, and will return to the Lake Orion Sagebrush.?
Regarding the Fenton Sagebrush, Zaraga said it’s been ‘amazing? how many familiar faces from Lake Orion and Oxford have shown up there.
‘The other day, probably half of the people in the restaurant were from this area,? he said.
Sagebrush will host a grand reopening celebration when construction on the downstairs is completed.
‘We’re working on that now, talking to all our vendors,? said Zaraga. ‘That will be finalized soon.?
After all that’s happened since that fateful day in 2004, Zaraga is still just thankful no one was hurt in the fire.
‘The whole Orion and Oxford area has been just great,? he added. ‘We really thank them for all of their support.?