Jillian’s North Coney Island & Grill plans to open in Kimball Twp. by July
There was once a time in his life when St. Clair resident Chuck Speckman was consumed by drug addiction, living in an abandoned house in Detroit. But not anymore.
Now the restaurant owner is in recovery and is less than a month away from opening his second location, Jillian’s North Coney Island & Grill, at 1669 Range Road in Kimball Township in the former Theo’s Family Restaurant.
“This is my love,” he said, standing inside the newly remodeled restaurant.
Speckman’s first coney island, Jillian's Coney Island & Grille, opened in Chesterfield Township several years ago, but when the opportunity arose to open another restaurant in Kimball Township, he took it to be closer to home.
“I always wanted to be here,” he said.
Paul Demaj of Macomb, the building’s landlord, said Theo’s Family Restaurant closed this past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The two started talking about Speckman opening the coney island in December and he received the building’s keys in January. Since then, the two have invested around $260,000 into remodeling the building.
“This place was built with a lot of love,” Speckman said.
The ceiling and floor are both 100% new, a “U” shaped counter was installed for customers to gather and talk, and a fire pit will be put on the patio.
All the equipment is new and signs out front display the restaurant's name and “Home of the Ninjas,” a nickname his Chesterfield Township staff picked up during the pandemic due to staying open, Speckman said.
The plan is to have around 25 full-time employees and 10 part-time employees. People interested in applying can call Speckman at (810) 941-7545.
The restaurant will be open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. The menu will include scrambles, omelets, sandwiches, stir fry, burgers and more. And of course, coney dogs. Speckman said they will be Koegel brand and with the skin on.
He said the final steps before opening include getting orders in, fixing coolers and making sure the air conditioning works, with plans to open by July 1.
“I want everything perfect,” he said.
Speckman has been involved in the restaurant industry since he was 15. He wants everybody to see he’s excited to be there and make a difference.
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Demaj said past restaurants have done well in the building and when the border is open it gets a lot of customers from Canada.
He believes the restaurant can be successful. Speckman has the right attitude, the restaurant looks cozy and appealing and the customers in the area are loyal.
“I truly believe he’ll do very well,” Demaj said.
Kimball Township Supervisor Rob Usakowski said in an email the township is excited for the new coney island. Despite how busy Range Road is, the restaurant will be the only one in a stretch from St. Clair to Port Huron Township.
“Kimball Township has a good mix of restaurants and a Coney Island will fit nicely within that mix,” he said. “We look forward to seeing this restaurant open.”
Contact Bryce Airgood at (810) 989-6202 or bairgood@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @bairgood123.