The Observation Deck

It would seem one of the most uniquely named, widely enjoyed restaurants is closing.

Jim Sprenger, his wife and staff were a class act and worked their asses off to deliver good food.

Rumors are rampant on "social" media, some true, some not, many started by well not the thinkers of Lakewood or business owners of Lakewood.

Jim has decided not to comment, which I understand completely. Others involved in the joint decision have not commented, which I understand and respect.

Sometimes shit just happens, and what flows from it is out of everyone's control.

You are already missed Jimmy, hope it all gets figure out for everyone.

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If there's any validity to rumors that relations with public authorities were a factor, this presumably ought to be reflected in public records somewhere. FWIW.

A shame, in any event. As Scene observed, the place "found a niche in the city's crowded restaurant and bar scene thanks to better than average bar food at decent prices."

mjkuhns wrote:If there's any validity to rumors that relations with public authorities were a factor, this presumably ought to be reflected in public records somewhere. FWIW.

A shame, in any event. As Scene observed, the place "found a niche in the city's crowded restaurant and bar scene thanks to better than average bar food at decent prices."

Matt

Rumors can be true and not tell the entire or true story.

Sometimes people make a small mistake and others backing them cannot afford a much larger gamble.

In this case was infraction with liquor control, which in most cases is a $$$$ fine or close down for a short period of time. A second one can cause the losing the license, closing down the establishment or worse. The owner of the license was not prepared to gamble with it. I believe there are talks in the works to keep the same fine food there, and or another establishment.

At the end of the day, one family's dreams and hard work gone, and another one's on the line.

I hope it all gets worked out, as no one wanted it to be like this.

Sometimes, it all just spins out of control for outside reasons.

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I hope so. The staff there were great… a very tough break for them.

The For Sale by Owner signs are all gone from the windows. They were actually gone yesterday (Tuesday, July 10). Hope that means something is going back into that space in a short amount of time.

Matthew Lee wrote:The For Sale by Owner signs are all gone from the windows. They were actually gone yesterday (Tuesday, July 10). Hope that means something is going back into that space in a short amount of time.

Today as I was walking out of Nature's Oasis.

I had noticed, everything was left in Jammy's even ketchup was left on the tables during the sign up phase. I also know they were looking at various ways to work through the various difficulties.

Perhaps, it was all worked out.

The is rumor of a new place on the street, but there was no activity inside all day.

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Hi Jim, not sure if you might be referring to this but I noticed the old World of Beer / Detroiter / Ivory Keys has paper up in all the windows, and no For Lease signs which is a good indicator something might be going in to that spot.

New owner has slowed in any movement asking, "What does Lakewood need?"

This came through during coffee.

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Jim, what does "slowed in any movement" mean?

Jim O'Bryan wrote:New owner has slowed in any movement asking, "What does Lakewood need?"

This came through during coffee.

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Not another restaurant. We have reached peak restaurant; when a new one opens an old one closes.

The new development on the Hospital site will have taxpayer subsidized restaurants. What affect will that have on the market?

Michael Loje wrote:Jim, what does "slowed in any movement" mean?

I have been told it has been acquired but the new owner is looking at what options are best for Lakewood.

It is a person in the restaurant bar business currently, and grabbed it.

Now, what to do with it?

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Funny thing is that Jammy Buggar's was actually a fairly unique concept in Lakewood. It closed, from what I heard, for personal/legal reasons and not for lack of business. Jammy Buggar's was:

* Higher scale than a corner bar but lower scale than a fancy establishment. It fit a nice niche between the low and higher end in Lakewood.
* Family friendly. There aren't really a lot of nice restaurants to take a family to in Lakewood. They either are fast/casual or not really family conducive. This one welcomed familys but never felt like a zoo.
* Meat AND Vegan friendly. Many places are one or the other but this was both. A whole group could go together and everyone could find something on the menu.
* Good food at good prices. Can't stress this enough. The food was above average and the prices were spot on for what it was. You weren't going to blow a lot of money and knew you would get something good.
* Nice bar. Not too big and not too small. You could sit and have some drinks or just avoid it. It never dominated the room.

As you can tell, I miss Jammy Buggars and there really is nothing else like it in town.

Matthew Lee wrote:Funny thing is that Jammy Buggar's was actually a fairly unique concept in Lakewood. It closed, from what I heard, for personal/legal reasons and not for lack of business. Jammy Buggar's was:

* Higher scale than a corner bar but lower scale than a fancy establishment. It fit a nice niche between the low and higher end in Lakewood.
* Family friendly. There aren't really a lot of nice restaurants to take a family to in Lakewood. They either are fast/casual or not really family conducive. This one welcomed familys but never felt like a zoo.
* Meat AND Vegan friendly. Many places are one or the other but this was both. A whole group could go together and everyone could find something on the menu.
* Good food at good prices. Can't stress this enough. The food was above average and the prices were spot on for what it was. You weren't going to blow a lot of money and knew you would get something good.
* Nice bar. Not too big and not too small. You could sit and have some drinks or just avoid it. It never dominated the room.

As you can tell, I miss Jammy Buggars and there really is nothing else like it in town.

Matt

Add to that locally owned, great side room for meetings, worked with local charities.

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