Kruse & Muer Will Have Outdoor Seating This Summer

Within the past year what was once Kruse & Muer at the Lake transformed into .

The transition was meant to offer diners a more casual setting, but still maintain the quality of delicacies served. , a porch was added, an upstairs private dining area was added and now the final piece to the puzzle will be constructed - the outdoor dining area.

At Wednesday night's Orion Township Planning Commission meeting commissioners voted unanimously in favor of granting owner Bill Kruse the permission to add the outdoor dining area. Kruse noted that the design has changed largely since first presenting the outdoor dining idea to the commission.

"We basically redesigned the seating area so we end up with almost half of what we originally started with," Kruse said, noting that they made the changes due to the fire marshall's concerns.

"I'm actually a bit more comfortable with it as well," he added.

Kruse needed approval of the board for the special land use so that alcohol can be served outside due to zoning guidelines of the General Business 1 (GB-1) district.

As presented, no adverse effects are expected by the development and no outdoor music or live entertainment will take place on the new portion of the restaurant. Kruse & Muer Roadhouse will be able to seat 28 patrons outdoors, with seven tables set up during regular business hours. A propane fire pit and additional landscaping in the form of a six-foot planter design are part of the plan.

The outdoor dining will be set back about 30 feet from the road and will be developed in the existing parking lot on the south side of the building. At the meeting it was assured that no parking spaces would be compromised by the development.

"They have been great to work with and a great partner in our community...I'm looking forward to sitting on the patio," commissioner Chris Barnett said.

Kruse hopes to have the outdoor dining area completed in the next four to six weeks.