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MILAN: Campfire Family Restaurant, Dino's Dugout mysteriously shut down; owner puts permits in escrow
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The Campfire Family Restaurant and the adjoining Dino's Dugout Sports Bar have closed their doors, with no word from the owner on what prompted the business' abrupt shutdown or what's in store for the building that houses them.
Owner Dino Koukoumtzis, who inherited the restaurant from his late father, George Koukoumtzis, could not be reached for comment. The Koukoumtzis family has owned the Campfire Restaurant since 1978.
Milan City Administrator Ben Swayze said the water has been shut off to the building, which is typically an indicator that a business will be closed for a period of time, whether permanently or for renovation purposes.
"We have not received notice whether it's permanently closed or he's working on opening back up again," Swayze said.
Calls to the business indicate the phone line has been disconnected. Calls to Koutoumtzis' home in Dexter have not been returned.
The business' permits to sell alcohol, a Resort Class C and SDM license, are currently being held in escrow by Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs in Lansing.
According to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, Dino Koukoumtzis sent a letter to the office saying the business is closed with no explanation listed.
It's typical, an office spokesperson said, when a business closes, either temporarily or permanently, that the owner turns in his or her licenses to be held in escrow for a period of time.
Those licenses were in jeopardy following a Jell-O wrestling event held at the establishment in 2010.
Koukoumtzis paid $800 in fines to MLCC for violations stemming from the Super Bowl event held at Dino's Dugout. Continued...
Owner Dino Koukoumtzis, who inherited the restaurant from his late father, George Koukoumtzis, could not be reached for comment. The Koukoumtzis family has owned the Campfire Restaurant since 1978.
Milan City Administrator Ben Swayze said the water has been shut off to the building, which is typically an indicator that a business will be closed for a period of time, whether permanently or for renovation purposes.
"We have not received notice whether it's permanently closed or he's working on opening back up again," Swayze said.
Calls to the business indicate the phone line has been disconnected. Calls to Koutoumtzis' home in Dexter have not been returned.
The business' permits to sell alcohol, a Resort Class C and SDM license, are currently being held in escrow by Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs in Lansing.
According to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, Dino Koukoumtzis sent a letter to the office saying the business is closed with no explanation listed.
It's typical, an office spokesperson said, when a business closes, either temporarily or permanently, that the owner turns in his or her licenses to be held in escrow for a period of time.
Those licenses were in jeopardy following a Jell-O wrestling event held at the establishment in 2010.
Koukoumtzis paid $800 in fines to MLCC for violations stemming from the Super Bowl event held at Dino's Dugout. Continued...
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The fines were for failing to obtain a special entertainment permit for the event, serving alcohol to an intoxicated person and not having a current business charter with the state. Three other permit violation citations were dismissed.
In January 2011, Koukoumtzis was able to obtain the necessary permits to hold a Superbowl event at the establishment. The event went on without incident.
Although the business has had some bad publicity over its legal trouble in 2010, many local residents say they are unhappy to see a business shuttered.
The Kiwanis Club of Milan sent out a notice to its members that the club would be changing its meeting place to the Milan Grill because its former meeting location at the Campfire Restaurant was permanently closed.
Gordon Parker, Kiwanis Club president, said the club has been meeting at the restaurant for at least 20 years.
"It's extremely shocking," he said, to find that the restaurant is shutdown.
Another Kiwanis member, Dan Fromm, said he was surprised by the closing.
"It is just really sad because it was a good place," he said.
"I really wish him (Dino Koukoumtzis) well, whatever has happened."
Fromm said he hasn't spoken to the owner personally since the restaurant closed its doors, but said Koukoumtzis was always good to the Kiwanis Club. Continued...
In January 2011, Koukoumtzis was able to obtain the necessary permits to hold a Superbowl event at the establishment. The event went on without incident.
Although the business has had some bad publicity over its legal trouble in 2010, many local residents say they are unhappy to see a business shuttered.
The Kiwanis Club of Milan sent out a notice to its members that the club would be changing its meeting place to the Milan Grill because its former meeting location at the Campfire Restaurant was permanently closed.
Gordon Parker, Kiwanis Club president, said the club has been meeting at the restaurant for at least 20 years.
"It's extremely shocking," he said, to find that the restaurant is shutdown.
Another Kiwanis member, Dan Fromm, said he was surprised by the closing.
"It is just really sad because it was a good place," he said.
"I really wish him (Dino Koukoumtzis) well, whatever has happened."
Fromm said he hasn't spoken to the owner personally since the restaurant closed its doors, but said Koukoumtzis was always good to the Kiwanis Club. Continued...
"I always liked him," Fromm said.
Kiwanis members recently collected the club's belongings from the restaurant, including their flag.
Norma Shull Smith, administrative assistant for the Milan Chamber of Commerce, said Koukoumtzis was able to host the chamber's annual breakfast at the restaurant in December.
Smith said she is also saddened the business is closed.
"It's sad because it's a legacy in Milan," she said. "It's always been an asset to the community. Every time we lose any business, it hurts the community."
The Campfire was host to several other community events recently, including a free Thanksgiving meal for Milan senior citizens.
Last November, Koukoumtzis said in an interview with The Milan News that he was proud of his father for starting the Thanksgiving tradition 28 years ago.
Koukoumtzis credited his vendors with donating napkins, carryout containers and some food items for the event. He also praised his staff, saying that many volunteered their time to work during the holiday.
The Milan Area Chamber of Commerce presented Koukoumtzis with the 2011 Business of the Year award.
The Campfire Restaurant has had many owners in its more than 50-year history in Milan and many residents, including the daughter of former owners Harry and Anne Reed, say the business is a big part of Milan's history. Continued...
Kiwanis members recently collected the club's belongings from the restaurant, including their flag.
Norma Shull Smith, administrative assistant for the Milan Chamber of Commerce, said Koukoumtzis was able to host the chamber's annual breakfast at the restaurant in December.
Smith said she is also saddened the business is closed.
"It's sad because it's a legacy in Milan," she said. "It's always been an asset to the community. Every time we lose any business, it hurts the community."
The Campfire was host to several other community events recently, including a free Thanksgiving meal for Milan senior citizens.
Last November, Koukoumtzis said in an interview with The Milan News that he was proud of his father for starting the Thanksgiving tradition 28 years ago.
Koukoumtzis credited his vendors with donating napkins, carryout containers and some food items for the event. He also praised his staff, saying that many volunteered their time to work during the holiday.
The Milan Area Chamber of Commerce presented Koukoumtzis with the 2011 Business of the Year award.
The Campfire Restaurant has had many owners in its more than 50-year history in Milan and many residents, including the daughter of former owners Harry and Anne Reed, say the business is a big part of Milan's history. Continued...
Patricia Novak, whose parents owned the business in the 1950s, said she remembers the restaurant in its heyday when scores of teenagers hung out there and called it the "Hole."
"It was always packed right to the door," she said.
She said it was her stepfather and mother who introduced pizza to Milan. They sold small cheese pizzas for 99 cents.
"I don't think there's ever been pizza in Milan as good as my dad's," she said.
They also cooked hotdogs on skewers with a one-of-a-kind barbecue inside the restaurant.
Novak said she has many memories of the Campfire, having worked there for many years as a teen.
"I spent my life there," she said.
Although her stepfather did some updating to the restaurant, taking it from a hotdog stand to a restaurant, Novak said, it was George Koukoumtzis who added a large addition onto the building when he took ownership in 1978.
He was also able to obtain a permit to sell alcohol. Novak said her parents were never able to get alcohol permits because of a church located nearby.
Novak said she was good friends with George Koukoumtzis and his wife, Tina, but she hasn't spoken to Tina Koukoumtzis recently.
The restaurant still has an active Facebook page under "Campfire BBQ Grille." The most recent pictures highlight the business' float from the Milan Christmas Parade in December.
Lori Maranville is a freelance writer. She can be reached at lorimaranville@att.net.
"It was always packed right to the door," she said.
She said it was her stepfather and mother who introduced pizza to Milan. They sold small cheese pizzas for 99 cents.
"I don't think there's ever been pizza in Milan as good as my dad's," she said.
They also cooked hotdogs on skewers with a one-of-a-kind barbecue inside the restaurant.
Novak said she has many memories of the Campfire, having worked there for many years as a teen.
"I spent my life there," she said.
Although her stepfather did some updating to the restaurant, taking it from a hotdog stand to a restaurant, Novak said, it was George Koukoumtzis who added a large addition onto the building when he took ownership in 1978.
He was also able to obtain a permit to sell alcohol. Novak said her parents were never able to get alcohol permits because of a church located nearby.
Novak said she was good friends with George Koukoumtzis and his wife, Tina, but she hasn't spoken to Tina Koukoumtzis recently.
The restaurant still has an active Facebook page under "Campfire BBQ Grille." The most recent pictures highlight the business' float from the Milan Christmas Parade in December.
Lori Maranville is a freelance writer. She can be reached at lorimaranville@att.net.
The Campfire Family Restaurant and the adjoining Dino's Dugout Sports Bar have closed their doors, with no word from the owner on what prompted the business' abrupt shutdown or what's in store for the building that houses them.
Owner Dino Koukoumtzis, who inherited the restaurant from his late father, George Koukoumtzis, could not be reached for comment. The Koukoumtzis family has owned the Campfire Restaurant since 1978.
Milan City Administrator Ben Swayze said the water has been shut off to the building, which is typically an indicator that a business will be closed for a period of time, whether permanently or for renovation purposes.
"We have not received notice whether it's permanently closed or he's working on opening back up again," Swayze said.
Calls to the business indicate the phone line has been disconnected. Calls to Koutoumtzis' home in Dexter have not been returned.
The business' permits to sell alcohol, a Resort Class C and SDM license, are currently being held in escrow by Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs in Lansing.
According to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, Dino Koukoumtzis sent a letter to the office saying the business is closed with no explanation listed.
It's typical, an office spokesperson said, when a business closes, either temporarily or permanently, that the owner turns in his or her licenses to be held in escrow for a period of time.
Those licenses were in jeopardy following a Jell-O wrestling event held at the establishment in 2010.
Koukoumtzis paid $800 in fines to MLCC for violations stemming from the Super Bowl event held at Dino's Dugout.
The fines were for failing to obtain a special entertainment permit for the event, serving alcohol to an intoxicated person and not having a current business charter with the state. Three other permit violation citations were dismissed.
In January 2011, Koukoumtzis was able to obtain the necessary permits to hold a Superbowl event at the establishment. The event went on without incident.
Although the business has had some bad publicity over its legal trouble in 2010, many local residents say they are unhappy to see a business shuttered.
The Kiwanis Club of Milan sent out a notice to its members that the club would be changing its meeting place to the Milan Grill because its former meeting location at the Campfire Restaurant was permanently closed.
Gordon Parker, Kiwanis Club president, said the club has been meeting at the restaurant for at least 20 years.
"It's extremely shocking," he said, to find that the restaurant is shutdown.
Another Kiwanis member, Dan Fromm, said he was surprised by the closing.
"It is just really sad because it was a good place," he said.
"I really wish him (Dino Koukoumtzis) well, whatever has happened."
Fromm said he hasn't spoken to the owner personally since the restaurant closed its doors, but said Koukoumtzis was always good to the Kiwanis Club.
"I always liked him," Fromm said.
Kiwanis members recently collected the club's belongings from the restaurant, including their flag.
Norma Shull Smith, administrative assistant for the Milan Chamber of Commerce, said Koukoumtzis was able to host the chamber's annual breakfast at the restaurant in December.
Smith said she is also saddened the business is closed.
"It's sad because it's a legacy in Milan," she said. "It's always been an asset to the community. Every time we lose any business, it hurts the community."
The Campfire was host to several other community events recently, including a free Thanksgiving meal for Milan senior citizens.
Last November, Koukoumtzis said in an interview with The Milan News that he was proud of his father for starting the Thanksgiving tradition 28 years ago.
Koukoumtzis credited his vendors with donating napkins, carryout containers and some food items for the event. He also praised his staff, saying that many volunteered their time to work during the holiday.
The Milan Area Chamber of Commerce presented Koukoumtzis with the 2011 Business of the Year award.
The Campfire Restaurant has had many owners in its more than 50-year history in Milan and many residents, including the daughter of former owners Harry and Anne Reed, say the business is a big part of Milan's history.
Patricia Novak, whose parents owned the business in the 1950s, said she remembers the restaurant in its heyday when scores of teenagers hung out there and called it the "Hole."
"It was always packed right to the door," she said.
She said it was her stepfather and mother who introduced pizza to Milan. They sold small cheese pizzas for 99 cents.
"I don't think there's ever been pizza in Milan as good as my dad's," she said.
They also cooked hotdogs on skewers with a one-of-a-kind barbecue inside the restaurant.
Novak said she has many memories of the Campfire, having worked there for many years as a teen.
"I spent my life there," she said.
Although her stepfather did some updating to the restaurant, taking it from a hotdog stand to a restaurant, Novak said, it was George Koukoumtzis who added a large addition onto the building when he took ownership in 1978.
He was also able to obtain a permit to sell alcohol. Novak said her parents were never able to get alcohol permits because of a church located nearby.
Novak said she was good friends with George Koukoumtzis and his wife, Tina, but she hasn't spoken to Tina Koukoumtzis recently.
The restaurant still has an active Facebook page under "Campfire BBQ Grille." The most recent pictures highlight the business' float from the Milan Christmas Parade in December.
Lori Maranville is a freelance writer. She can be reached at lorimaranville@att.net.
Owner Dino Koukoumtzis, who inherited the restaurant from his late father, George Koukoumtzis, could not be reached for comment. The Koukoumtzis family has owned the Campfire Restaurant since 1978.
Milan City Administrator Ben Swayze said the water has been shut off to the building, which is typically an indicator that a business will be closed for a period of time, whether permanently or for renovation purposes.
"We have not received notice whether it's permanently closed or he's working on opening back up again," Swayze said.
Calls to the business indicate the phone line has been disconnected. Calls to Koutoumtzis' home in Dexter have not been returned.
The business' permits to sell alcohol, a Resort Class C and SDM license, are currently being held in escrow by Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs in Lansing.
According to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, Dino Koukoumtzis sent a letter to the office saying the business is closed with no explanation listed.
It's typical, an office spokesperson said, when a business closes, either temporarily or permanently, that the owner turns in his or her licenses to be held in escrow for a period of time.
Those licenses were in jeopardy following a Jell-O wrestling event held at the establishment in 2010.
Koukoumtzis paid $800 in fines to MLCC for violations stemming from the Super Bowl event held at Dino's Dugout.
The fines were for failing to obtain a special entertainment permit for the event, serving alcohol to an intoxicated person and not having a current business charter with the state. Three other permit violation citations were dismissed.
In January 2011, Koukoumtzis was able to obtain the necessary permits to hold a Superbowl event at the establishment. The event went on without incident.
Although the business has had some bad publicity over its legal trouble in 2010, many local residents say they are unhappy to see a business shuttered.
The Kiwanis Club of Milan sent out a notice to its members that the club would be changing its meeting place to the Milan Grill because its former meeting location at the Campfire Restaurant was permanently closed.
Gordon Parker, Kiwanis Club president, said the club has been meeting at the restaurant for at least 20 years.
"It's extremely shocking," he said, to find that the restaurant is shutdown.
Another Kiwanis member, Dan Fromm, said he was surprised by the closing.
"It is just really sad because it was a good place," he said.
"I really wish him (Dino Koukoumtzis) well, whatever has happened."
Fromm said he hasn't spoken to the owner personally since the restaurant closed its doors, but said Koukoumtzis was always good to the Kiwanis Club.
"I always liked him," Fromm said.
Kiwanis members recently collected the club's belongings from the restaurant, including their flag.
Norma Shull Smith, administrative assistant for the Milan Chamber of Commerce, said Koukoumtzis was able to host the chamber's annual breakfast at the restaurant in December.
Smith said she is also saddened the business is closed.
"It's sad because it's a legacy in Milan," she said. "It's always been an asset to the community. Every time we lose any business, it hurts the community."
The Campfire was host to several other community events recently, including a free Thanksgiving meal for Milan senior citizens.
Last November, Koukoumtzis said in an interview with The Milan News that he was proud of his father for starting the Thanksgiving tradition 28 years ago.
Koukoumtzis credited his vendors with donating napkins, carryout containers and some food items for the event. He also praised his staff, saying that many volunteered their time to work during the holiday.
The Milan Area Chamber of Commerce presented Koukoumtzis with the 2011 Business of the Year award.
The Campfire Restaurant has had many owners in its more than 50-year history in Milan and many residents, including the daughter of former owners Harry and Anne Reed, say the business is a big part of Milan's history.
Patricia Novak, whose parents owned the business in the 1950s, said she remembers the restaurant in its heyday when scores of teenagers hung out there and called it the "Hole."
"It was always packed right to the door," she said.
She said it was her stepfather and mother who introduced pizza to Milan. They sold small cheese pizzas for 99 cents.
"I don't think there's ever been pizza in Milan as good as my dad's," she said.
They also cooked hotdogs on skewers with a one-of-a-kind barbecue inside the restaurant.
Novak said she has many memories of the Campfire, having worked there for many years as a teen.
"I spent my life there," she said.
Although her stepfather did some updating to the restaurant, taking it from a hotdog stand to a restaurant, Novak said, it was George Koukoumtzis who added a large addition onto the building when he took ownership in 1978.
He was also able to obtain a permit to sell alcohol. Novak said her parents were never able to get alcohol permits because of a church located nearby.
Novak said she was good friends with George Koukoumtzis and his wife, Tina, but she hasn't spoken to Tina Koukoumtzis recently.
The restaurant still has an active Facebook page under "Campfire BBQ Grille." The most recent pictures highlight the business' float from the Milan Christmas Parade in December.
Lori Maranville is a freelance writer. She can be reached at lorimaranville@att.net.
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