A new destination, inspired by the charming oyster bars of Charleston and the relaxing elegance of Napa Valley, plans to open soon in the Village of Franklin.
After an extensive renovation, The Franklin Oyster Bar & Eatery is slated for a June 10 grand opening in a historic 1848 carriage house at 32760 Franklin Road.
Oysters have a storied history in Franklin — the concept pays homage to the village’s early settlers, many of whom migrated from New England. By the mid-19th century, shucked oysters were shipped on ice to the Detroit area by train and steamboat, where settlers held oyster suppers.
The carriage house, formerly occupied by The Franklin Grill, was purchased by last year by Ronin Partners CEO Jay Farner, along with adjacent property at 32750 Franklin. His team plans to open a café called Polly’s later this year, in a smaller building that once housed Deja Vu, an upscale resale shop.
The Franklin Oyster Bar & Eatery is led by executive chef Nick Geftos and hospitality director Gerti Begaj, the leadership team from the downtown Detroit eatery BESA.
While oysters and seafood will be front and center at the restaurant, the food menu is rounded out by steaks, pastas, burgers, salads, as well as vegan and vegetarian entrees. Geftos says the menu is curated to be on the smaller side, so it can turn over rapidly based on seasonal ingredient availability. However, several items will remain constant: for instance, their burger.
“I’m hoping everyone freaks out over the burger, and it’s our burger for life,” says Geftos.
Geftos will be working with a number of local suppliers, including Del Bene Produce at Eastern Market; Geddes Farm in Saginaw; Fisheye Farms in Detroit; Stonefall Farms, an artisan Wagyu processor in West Michigan; as well as Fortune Fish and Motor City Seafood.
The cocktail menu, which will feature a rotating selection of 15 drinks, divided into “shaken” and “stirred,” was crafted by bar director Jim Leonard.
The first floor features a 10-seat L-shaped bar with brass-lined shelves, and a small counter that allows guests to watch the oysters being prepared. Upstairs, there’s an additional bar and a dining area which will be used for overflow seating and can also be rented out for events. A separate private dining room is also available.
The Franklin’s design was overseen by Nicole McGrail, who worked closely with the local Historic District Commission to ensure the 177-year-old space was thoughtfully renovated. One major alteration was the addition of several windows, which allow lots of natural light.
“We had gone to Charleston many times, and we fell in love with the charm, and how a lot of the old houses there were turned into restaurants, so that’s what a lot of the aesthetic is based off of,” says McGrail, who is also chief marketing officer for Thyme and Place Hospitality, Farner’s hospitality group.
Throughout the space, visitors will notice distinctive wallpaper, and lots of historic photographs and art pieces that were found in the carriage house, as well as in antique shops in the area.
McGrail is also overseeing the design for Polly’s, which will offer coffee and pastries in the morning, then transition to a lunch spot in the afternoon, serving up salads, paninis, soup, charcuterie boards, and ice cream.
“I grew up in a little town in New Jersey where you could ride your bike downtown and get a slice of pizza or ice cream,” says Farner. “We don’t really have a lot of that around this area, so we’re hoping this will be that place for families to come.”
Behind Polly’s, the team is also constructing an outdoor patio with a fireplace for summer dining, and all-seasons pavilion that can be rented for events, such as weddings.
“We could have 100 people outside, and it’s a big space,” says Farner. “I imagine a lot of people will want their events here, because you can literally get married up the road at the Franklin Church.”
In coming weeks, Franklin Oyster Bar & Eatery is planning a series of soft openings before their June 10 grand opening. For more information on both of the upcoming restaurants, visit thefranklinmi.com and pollyscafe.com.
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