Red Mesa Grill celebrates 20-Year anniversary in Boyne City

On September 16, 1997, Mary Palmer, Fred Moore and Jim Cartwright opened the Red Mesa Grill and changed Boyne City forever. Many said that they were crazy to open a Latin American restaurant in a little, up-north, blue collar town. The eclectic restaurant painted the storefront bright red and the community didn't embrace it right away; it was a big change for Boyne City. Nonetheless, with a lot of hard work and a lot of great staff, the Red Mesa Grill quickly became one of the most popular restaurants in Northern Michigan.

Mary, Fred, and Jim went in with the cornerstone philosophies of: 

• We want to be the best place to work in the community.
• We want to be the most fun and professional place to work in the community.
• We want our employees to love their jobs.
• If we take care of our employees, we know that our guests will be well cared for.

Those philosophies took them far. Many say that the Red Mesa helped start the tourism boom that Boyne City has seen in the last several years. Boyne is now a hip little town with a thriving downtown. With Red Mesa Grill, restaurant group Magnum Hospitality was born. Magnum Hospitality went on to open Pearl's in Elk Rapids, Red Mesa Grill in Traverse City, and Café Sante in Boyne City. 

After 18 years, the original owners were given the opportunity to sell Magnum Hospitality to long-time restaurateur Steven Rossi and partners. Steve came in with the promise of continuing the cornerstone philosophies that have proved so successful for so many years. Steve and partners have the commitment to keeping Magnum Hospitality thriving for another 20 years and beyond.  

Red Mesa will be celebrating their  20-Year Anniversary on September 16, 2017. It will be a "Tropical Sunsplash" themed party with live music all day including the main act -  
Universal Xpression, an excellent reggae band from Detroit. They are thanking all of their loyal guests by offering 20% off their regularly priced bill all day.

> For more information contact: Red Mesa Grill, 117 Water Street, Boyne City, 231.582.0049.

VIDEO: City manager provides a preview of new City Hall

City Manager Michael Cain gave the Chamber a sneak preview tour of the new City Hall - watch our video. The video shows the room where City Commission meetings will be held plus an adjacent rooftop patio - both with spectacular second-floor views of Lake Charlevoix and Veterans Park. The city is tentatively planning to show the building off to the public with a dedication ceremony and open house tours, on Friday, Sept. 1. The facility also includes the fire, police and ambulance departments, city museum, city administration offices, MSU Extension plus the 100-year-old La France fire engine, and the historic city clock and bell.

City approves industrial district for Van Dam plans

Steve Van Dam / Photo courtesy Petoskey News-Review

From the Petoskey News-Review: City leaders have taken the first step toward a possible future property tax incentive for a well-known Boyne City business that has plans to expand its operations. At its regular semi-monthly meeting July 11th, the Boyne City City Commission voted 4-0 (commissioner Hugh Conklin was absent) in favor of a resolution creating a sixth industrial development zone for the property on which Van Dam Custom Boats and the Boyne Boat Yard are located on Division Street. The measure was a necessary first step if the business wishes to seek a future tax abatement from the city in connection with planned growth on the site. Business co-founder Steve Van Dam told the commission that there are two tiers to the company's plans. He said in the short term the company is planning to add about 4,720 square feet in production and office space to the building that houses the custom boat business. Full story.

Boyne Mountain names Mark O'Brien vice president of lodging

Mark O'Brien

Boyne Mountain Resort President/General Manager Ed Grice has announced the appointment of Mark O'Brien as Vice President of Lodging. O'Brien has 20 years' experience in operating full-service, luxury and boutique hotels as a General Manager, and is accredited as a Certified Hotel Administrator. As a Michigan State University graduate, O'Brien launched his career as a front desk supervisor at the New York Hilton, advancing to Assistant Director of Front Office Operations. He continued his growth serving as Director of Rooms Revenue Maximization and Front Office Manager at Waldorf-Astoria, then earned his first General Manager role in 1996 at Hotel Wales. He has also led operations for The Maritime Hotel, Hampshire Hotels and Resorts, and most recently for The H Hotel in Midland, a Four Diamond Hotel, under the Wyndham Hotel Group. O'Brien serves on the Michigan State University School of Hospitality Business Alumni Association Appointed Board of Directors, as well as Northwood University Hospitality School's Board of Directors. O'Brien can be reached by calling 231.549.6069 or emailing mark.obrien@boynemountain.com.