Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Bradley.
Heather, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Will and I both went to culinary school at Great Lakes Culinary. We have worked in the restaurant business for about 12 years in northern Michigan, Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. We knew coming back to Michigan was something we wanted to do, but we wanted to open our own place instead of manage them. We were visiting in 2020 and realized the old Mushroom Bar was in foreclosure, but banks weren’t lending a lot to restaurants during covid. A few months after returning to Maine, our friends Matt and Erin Macpherson decided to purchase the building for us to come back and lease the space. We all love the small community of Mesick and knew that what the town needed was a family-friendly dinner restaurant. The Macpherson family and Bradley family(pictured) put in a lot of hard work to make our dreams happen. We are happy to be home and close to family and friends doing what we love every day.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
We opened during covid, so there were a few struggles. When we opened there was limited supplies, shipping delays, and soaring prices.
As you know, we’re big fans of Common Grounds Kitchen & Tap. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
We are a southern BBQ restaurant in Northern Michigan. Our restaurant offers a family-friendly atmosphere, great hospitality, but most of all, delicious food and drink that will keep you coming back. We specialize in smoked meats and house-made sides. We have some fun options on our menu, like our smokehouse chili, smoked meat platters, and cast-iron cookies. If you are feeling up to it, you can play some cornhole, tetherball, sit by the fire or dine outside on our deck or patio area. We have live music every weekend with local musicians. We also offering catering and have recently opened a food truck called Wake-N-Bake by Common Grounds.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Treat your staff well and make them feel like part of a family. Also, you have to make adjustments every single day.
Pricing:
- Nachos $12
- Tater Tot poutine $9
- Smokehouse Chili $6/$9
- Will’s Mac N Cheese $13
- Platter for 2 $39
Contact Info:
- Website: commongroundskt.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/common_grounds_kitchen_tap/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Commongroundskt/
Image Credits
Emma Blach
