GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY — Traverse City’s Cherryland Center, once the Cherryland Mall, is continuing to take steps to become a community hub.
Now, Cherryland Center businesses will be allowed to apply for liquor licenses. With several new developments in the complex and more on the way, businesses that are interested will have to apply for licenses as they become available.
“It’s good to see it be rejuvenated and a place for the public to go and recreate,” Garfield Township Manager Chris Barsheff said. “I’ve often felt that Garfield can provide that other alternative to downtown without the parking hassles and the traffic.”
At an April 22 Garfield Township Board of Trustees meeting, they designated the Cherryland Center as a redevelopment district. This means businesses can get a liquor license, but within limits. Barsheff said they need to figure out investment numbers to see if they can even get liquor licenses for the complex.
“And, the interested parties are required to submit an application to the township. We do have an internal committee that will review the request and make a recommendation to the board.”
Two businesses are interested in getting a liquor license. They are K-1 speed and Two Brothers, a dog park where a liquor license is required for their business model.
Right now, an incoming business called high-tops holds the only liquor license available. Barsheff said the township needs to continuously adapt as demand for malls are changing over time.
“Looking at zoning, how do we make opportunities more available for developers and situations that improve the community and provide access to locations like this for the community? We see that Macy’s has closed down. You’re seeing that trend. Big box stores are not coming here. I think we just have to be proactive. And what can we do to make this more attractive for development? Which in the end benefits the community and the people who live here.”
The Board of Trustees is hoping to verify the investment amounts at their next meeting.
“The sooner the better, because the time frame of three years is actually like a moving target. So, the longer you wait to go into the future, the investment from prior to three years that fall off that you cannot use for this type of license.”
