When his story was told in The Lake Orion Review back on Jan. 10, Karl Eberle, owner of the recently closed Karl’s Place, had no idea what the response would be.
In just a couple of weeks time, he was flooded with calls.
‘A lot of people were just checking on me, and some called to see if they could invest,? Eberle said.
Two of those potential investors are now Eberle’s partners in the business, and Karl’s Place is slated to re-open this Friday.
‘We’re turning the lights back on,? Eberle said.
The Baldwin Road eatery, a fixture in the Gingellville community for more than 18 years, closed its doors in December.
That marked the end of a tough 12-month span for Eberle, who lost his wife of 31 years, Joanie, to cancer in late 2005.
‘I just got to a point where I was physically, emotionally and financially wiped out,? he told The Review earlier this year. ‘I had to walk away from it.?
Eberle said Joanie handled the business side of the restaurant, while he managed the kitchen. So it was a matter of finding the right investor to get things going again.
One of the new partners attends church with Eberle at Christ the Redeemer, and the other, also from the area, saw the article in the paper.
‘I’m feeling pretty good about it now,? Eberle said.
Customers can expect the same things out of the new Karl’s Place that were there before, and then some.
Eberle said the menu will be simplified slightly, but there will be more daily specials to make up for it.
‘We’re going back to simple times,? he said. ‘Our main goal is to take care of the customer.?
Favorites such as the omelettes, half-pound burgers and ice cream and other treats will remain, and the restaurant will continue to be non-smoking.
‘You don’t try to fix something that’s not broken,? Eberle said.
The restaurant will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday and will open on 8 a.m. on the weekends.
Eberle said those hours could even be expanded in the warmer months.
‘Some people have inquired about using our space for their meetings,? Eberle added, noting some groups will be meeting there for breakfasts prior to regular business hours.
For more information, contact the restaurant at (248)391-2711 or stop by for a meal at 4083 Baldwin Road.