Listen to excerpts from the press conference (3:58)

TWO NEW RESTAURANTS WILL OCCUPY THE FIRST LEVEL
OF COMMUNITY FOUNDATION BUILDING

Courtesy of Community Foundation of Greater Flint An artist rendering of the new restaurants to open in downtown Flint in the spring of 2009.

FLINT, MI – What began as a strategic vision three years ago – to own and renovate two historic, but vacant buildings at the corner of West First and South Saginaw Streets – became a dream fulfilled today when the last phase of the Community Foundation Building project was announced. Two new restaurants will open in the lower level this spring – 501 Bar & Grill and Wize Guys Pizza, Inc. – attracting college students and business people alike. George Falaras of Blue Collar Gourmet, one of Genesee County’s most successful restaurants operators, will operate and manage both restaurants. Read the articles from The Flint Journal and ABC 12.

"The opening of two new restaurants in the Community Foundation Building further advances the Community Foundation’s strategic vision to support the revitalization of downtown Flint," said Kathi Horton, President of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint (CFGF). "The commitment of the investors who made this possible demonstrates the rock solid resolve of local leaders to bring about the rebirth of our community."

A private investment group is developing the dual concept restaurants at a projected cost of $750,000. According to Phil Shaltz, one of the managing partners of Uptown Developments, the emerging restaurant district downtown is the final stage in developing the downtown district.

"The redevelopment of buildings, relocation of businesses and growing residential population are great signs of progress downtown," Shaltz said. He added that in the spirit of a healthy community, both restaurants will be entirely smoke-free.

The 501 Bar & Grill will feature seating for 60, a full service racetrack-style bar and a variety of tapas – a Spanish term for appetizers. Specialty salads, gourmet sandwiches, soups and gourmet pizza will round out the menu. A private meeting room for 20-25 will be available by reservation only. Hours of operation will be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Wize Guys Pizza, Inc. will seat 70 patrons and will feature a chopped salad bar, soups, pizza by the pie or slice and oven baked grinders. Bar selections will be limited to beer and wine. Hours of operation will be 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day. Falaras said the restaurants will open by mid-Spring.

A native of Athens, Greece, Falaras came to Flint in 1970 to work at his uncle’s downtown restaurant – the Brass Rail. A successful entrepreneur, Falaras currently manages three other Genesee County restaurants – the Redwood Lodge, Bubba O’Malley’s and the Blue Collar Grill. He is excited about returning to downtown Flint, saying he’s come full circle in helping to establish two new restaurants in Flint’s urban center.

"I have always believed that a community’s vitality comes from the city center and extends out into the broader community," Falaras said. "Our hope is that the 501 Bar & Grill and Wize Guys Pizza will set the standard for an emerging restaurant district that will attract people to come back and enjoy downtown Flint."

The Community Foundation Building, which opened in June 2008, has now reached 100 percent occupancy of the multi-use structure that features residential lofts, office space and commercial space.
"This investment in downtown Flint sends a loud signal that there is real progress on creating a vital new future for our community," Horton added.

About CFGF:
Community Foundation of Greater Flint (CFGF) serves Flint and all of Genesee County including its community funds in Clio, Davison, Fenton, Flushing and Grand Blanc. CFGF helps donors support the causes they care about, today or through their estates. In 2008, CFGF awarded more than $5.2 million in grants to area nonprofit organizations dedicated to meeting community needs.

CONTACT: Mary Jo Herbig, Director of Communications, (810) 767-8439 or mherbig@cfgf.org