Three Point Play - Roosevelt Tillman Opens Second Club
Half Court restaurant and sports bar, the first new restaurant and night club in inner-city Grand Rapids in years, will open Saturday.
The club's developer, Roosevelt Tillman, is bullish on the area that has seen little recent investment. He's so bullish that he's buying another club down the street to convert to a banquet hall.
"I think it's very important for someone from the center city to be giving back to the community," said
Roosevelt Tillman, 31, who runs Construction Trades Subcontracting Inc. "I'm committed to this area."
Tillmn has spent six months renovating the former Noel's Lark bar at 932 S. Division Ave. In September, he reopened the club as Half Moon Nite Club. But that was only a small part of his plans.
When he bought the building, he started immediately building a new, 5,000-square-foot club on the back of the existing building.
On Saturday, he'll open that portion, called Half Court restaurant and sports bar.
The restaurant is designed like a basketball court, complete with hardwood floors, regulation rim and backboard, free-throw lines, and a three-point line.
Tables capable of seating 115 customers ring the court. National Basketball Association banners hang from the ceiling and a corner of the restaurant is devoted to the Grand Rapids Hoops. Interior and exterior alike are painted in the Detroit Pistons' colors - teal, red and yellow - and a game clock hangs on the end of the court.
The basketball court will be the centerpiece of the restaurant's entertainment.
Willie Thompson, a former Tennessee State Trooper who oversees security at the clubs, will also serve as game host, orchestrating free-throw contests during games, including a NCAA basketball tournament cruise contest.
It'll be like eating at courtside," Thompson said.
The restaurant featuring a full bar menu, with sandwiches, baskets, salads and appetizers.
Tillman said business has gone well at Half Moon, which caters to an over-25 dance crowd and features a dress code on the weekends.
"It's going great," said Tillman. "This is the first new club in the inner city in quite a while."
Roosevelt Tillman plans to add live jazz music on Wednesday evening starting in February.
Tillman estimates he has invested about $500,000 in Half Moon and Half Court. The property is in a renaissance zone, which nearly eliminates state and local taxes on the building. The two clubs employ 35 to 40 people.
Tillman also plans to next week buy the Pizzazz night club, at 645 S. Division Ave. (also called Bill's Dancing and Cocktails). Tillman plans to convert the club, which was formerly Sayfee's restaurant, into a banquet hall, comedy club and possibly a teen club.
Eugene Mason, the president of the Southeast Community Association, welcomes Tillman's investment.
"Before Burger King opened up a year or two ago, it had been years before a new business opened up in our neighborhood," said Mason. "This shows commitment to the neighborhood."
From The Grand Rapids Press
by: adam84
One Email A Day Keep Clutter In Inbox At Bay All Things That Must Go Through The Shredder One Basic To Ensure That You Seawater Desalination System Mp3 Players Sheer Joy How To Compare Mobile Phone Deals One Email A Day Ensures Less Time Spend On Email Management Dielectric Voltage Withstand Check Of Electrical Goods Save Money Smoke E Cigarettes Hyaluronic Acid Offering Excellent Hydration For Your Skin Digital Slr Camera For Capturing Those Special Moments Of Your Life Things To Consider Before Going For Permanent Dentures For You To Regain Your Smile Ndt Technique Is The Best Way Of Detecting Faulty Materials Digital Slr Camera For The Photographer Inside You