New food truck park and bar aims to be source of relaxation
Seeing a food truck park in a coastal city of Michigan inspired two local couples to want to put one here, and that’s how Hamilton’s Urban Backyard came to fruition.
Jeff Bucalo and his wife Gina have partnered with Dave and Emily Ernst to develop a 165-year-old building at Main and F streets and open the HUB. They got together with Hamilton’s Department of Economic Development to make the plans for the historic lot — and three adjacent lots.
“We could celebrate the history of Hamilton within the Italianate style building, while bringing a new, unique backyard vibe with the outdoor portion of the venue,” Bucalo said. “We have been working with various departments and Hamilton businesses to ensure we build The HUB the right way and are cost-effective in doing so.”
The HUB’s main building, which dates back to 1855, is going to have a bar with craft beer and indoor seating year-round. The focus is local and regional craft beers but there will also be seltzers, wine, domestics and liquor available for purchase.
So what’s with the name? Bucalo says he wants customers to feel like they are relaxing in their own backyard.
“The outdoor space will welcome guests,” he said.
It’s more than 7,000 square feet of space and will have fire pits, picnic tables, music and a recreation area with bocce ball and cornhole.
“Food trailers, pods and food trucks will supply a variety of local and regional cuisines with plenty of seating and table options for our patrons. We would like our backyard to feel like our customers’ backyard — a comfortable, casual, family-friendly, pet-friendly environment for all,” Bucalo said.
Salvaging the building as much as possible will lend to educating people on the history of Hamilton. The interior design will be focused on antiquity, he said. Even the coasters will include facts about the city.
“Additionally, we hope to provide Spooky Nook patrons with an opportunity to learn a bit of info about the city they are visiting,” Bucalo said.
“Most of our contractors, sub-contractors, artists, graphic designers, employees, construction vendors and so on will be from Hamilton. We feel it is important that we work alongside the people we are looking forward to serving in Hamilton’s Urban Backyard. We want the community to be an intricate part of building this unique establishment,” Bucalo said.
The HUB is seeking food truck vendors for when it is in operation. It will likely be open by the late summer or fall of 2021.
“We are working with food truck associations to formulate a plan that makes sense both for The HUB but also our food partners,” he said. “Our aim is to have at least one full-time, year-round food option, serving a variety of foods for our patrons. That could be a food truck or trucks, or a permanent modular kitchen. We then hope to supplement our permanent partner with mobile food trucks during busier times of the year. The key is to offer a variety to our customers.”
Food partners will be able to sign up on the HUB’s website. Those who are interested may visit www.hubhamilton.com.
Information for a breakout box:
The building at Main & F historically has been:
• A community center
• Barbershops
• A shoe repair store
• Saloons