View full sizeFrom left, co-owner Stan Kalisek, bar and restaurant manager Maria Greanya, executive chef Nate Brown, and co-owner Frank Lemek pose for a portrait behind the sports bar at Encore Sports Grill & Event Center in Beech Tree Center in Flint Township on Wednesday. "We want to be known as a place of full entertainment, " says Kalisek. The Grand Opening will be this Friday evening.FLINT TOWNSHIP, Michigan — Stan Kalisek and Frank Lemek have packed a lot into 20,000 square feet.
After almost a year of renovations to turn part of the Beech Tree Center into Encore! Sports Grill and Event Center, the facility will host its grand opening celebration Friday.
Encore! has a sports grill, club area and banquet facilities.
It is located in the Beech Tree Plaza, which Kalisek and Lemek purchased last December.
“We’re trying to make it a fun atmosphere where you stay for the whole evening and can do different things,” Kalisek said.
They hope to cater to those who work at the nearby medical facilities as a destination to come after work. Beginning at 5 p.m. Fridays, Encore! will have happy hour specials and a live DJ, he said.
“We want to be a destination; a place for full entertainment because of the amenities we have here,” Kalisek said.
Encore! had a soft opening in late November and, so far, the response has been positive, Kalisek said.
The sports bar side features a bar and several TVs, including a projector screen. The club side also has a bar, along with a dance floor.
Although their menu is under wraps until the grand opening, Executive Chef Nate Brown said they want to provide “three and four star food without those prices.”
Prices range from $4.50 to $18, a number which they don’t plan to exceed, Brown said.
Encore! also will be host to a comedy club and cooking classes later in 2012, Kalisek said.
The business currently has about 20 employees but would plans to have about 50 total, Lemek said.
The Beech Tree Center also houses MGR Professional Electronic System Integration, of which Kalisek is the president and Lemek is the vice president. They hope Encore! will showcase some the technology MGR provides, Kalisek said.
The revamped center is a benefit to the township because it updated an existing structure, said Economic Director Tracey Tucker.
“It’s great to see somebody come in there and do something with that building,” Tucker said. “They’ll be a good addition to the area.”
The Grand Opening begins at 5 p.m. Friday at Encore! Sports Grill and Event Center, 3503 Beecher Road, in Flint Township. For more information about the event or about hosting an event at the facility, call 810-766-9725.
Hours are Sunday through Wednesday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.