|
|
||
|
|
TOMMY K'S - A Mixture of Talent, Taste, Presentation and Pizzazz By Robert E. Martin
Located at the site of the former Drifter's, Tommy K's stands as a
shining example of what can happen when taste & intuition mingle. Completely
refurbished with new windows added, a custom-designed oak interior, and one of
the largest dance floors in the area, Tommy K's brings to the table live
entertainment seven nights a week, a carefully crafted dining menu, and
incredible potential for the summer months. "I
want this place to be like an upscale White's Bar," explains co-owner
Tom Koski. "I like music and want to offer it to the public seven nights a
week. Mainly, I love this business and wanted to expand my love for music. Not
many bars cater to the clientele that I'm looking for, which is the 30 and above
professional group." Koski's partner, Dr. Roger Khan, echoes these sentiments. "We want to offer things you normally don't see in Saginaw anymore, such as the ability to have something to eat and go out dancing 7 nights a week in a friendly environment where you can still carry on a conversation."
So
how did the two get together on the idea for building Tommy K's? "I
had The Heart House for awhile," explains Khan. "It was supposed to be a
Bed & Breakfast but every time somebody went to bed at night they would hear a
board creak. In fact, we nicknamed the bar the embalming room," he quips, "so
needless to say, that didn't work out for me." "Tom
and I had a half dozen talks over the years and finally he told me that he was
serious about doing this, so I said 'count me in'. We looked at about four
places and settled on this location." Koski
has been in the entertainment business for about nine years, and was running the
Davenport Inn for about four of those years. "I always wanted my own place,"
he explains, "but it was hard to find. Dr. Khan came to me and asked if I wanted
to do something, so when this location became available I saw a lot of
potential." "I've
always been into renovation, so we formed a corporation and bought Drifters.
My brothers and I did all the work except for the electrical and windows, which
we contracted out, but we did most of the work ourselves." "From
the time we bought the building to the day it opened was one day short of five
months, so we worked really fast. We got the license on a Friday at 11 AM,
opened at 4 PM, and you couldn't get in the door that Friday night. I have no
idea how the word got out that fast, other than the advertising we did in the
Review!"
Having built a solid reputation over the years, Koski is equally excited about
the completion of his vision for Tommy K's. "We are gong to build a
pavilion out in the back and also put a 36x24 wood deck outside the back door,"
he explains. "The pavilion will be 32.64 with a flat roof in the center for the
stage. We'll do concerts back there with people coming in with lawn chairs, like
they do in Bay City. It's beautiful back there and runs 610 feet deep with no
neighbors, so there is nobody I'm going to offend." "We
don't intend to feature and Rap or Rock music, which also distinguishes us from
most places," he continues. "I went out on a Saturday night awhile back looking
for a place to dance and started in Brant and came all the way back to town and
all I could find was Hard Rock. I think we form a nice alternative to that
situation." "We have an 800 square foot dance floor and 100 square foot stage in the corner, so I can put a six-piece band onstage. Mainly, I want to offer a place where people can dance and meet and enjoy some great food."
In
terms of his menu, Koski says he had many objectives. "Tim Hohwart from
Tony's helped out tremendously with the menu," notes Tom. "I told him
the type of food I wanted, which wasn't dinners or white table clothes, but
simply good bar food - great tasting hamburgers and the like. I think we've
accomplished that. We use no frozen meats, buy everything fresh, and do it from
scratch. We've got a menu that includes nachos and have two pizza ovens in back,
so will start doing that shortly. Plus, we have a perch Fish Fry on Friday
nights. We'll adjust along the way." As
for the 'centerpiece' of Tommy K's, their entertainment line-up runs like
this: Monday is Karaoke with Walt Stockmeyer; Tuesdays features the band
Inertia with John Rickert & Mike Sheets; Wednesday is the new line-up
of Marty Viers & The Music Doctors, which showcases Marty along with
Jeff Walikangas and former Young Country frontman Arlyn Willet;
Thursday is Raw Country with Rob Gunther, Andy Colouris, Sr., and
Walt Stockmeyer; Friday is Ovations, Saturday featuring Raw County
again, with Sundays reserved for live Blues or Jazz.
"We're looking for Blues & Jazz acts to feature on Sunday," notes Tom," but it
won't strictly adhere to that. Perhaps we'll bring Dick Wagner or
Sharrie Williams in or different stand-up comics. I want to be a nightclub,
and that's what nightclubs do - they bring in different varieties of
entertainment." With
a capacity of 144 inside and about 1500 when the outdoor facility opens, the
entertainment potential at Tommy K's is substantial. "I'd like to get the
pavilion built this summer," he comments. "First we need to landscape because
it's a bit rough back there, but then we need to go through flood control
because it is on the floodplane. Mainly if we put a cement slab and posts, like
a pole barn, and leave it open so water can flow through, it will be fine.
Whatever it takes to do to code we will do. And if I have to, I'll put a big
tent back there. Anything is possible."
Additionally, Tommy K's is available for private parties. "If people want
to come in and use the place, we can sell them the food. Recently we did a
breakfast for a real estate company that brought in 23 people."
"We're not looking to do anything that hasn't been done before, but we do want
to bring the focus back to good entertainment that offers a safe and affordable
place for people to go." |
|
|
|
Enable frames | |
