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| Mick’s by Susan E. Lawson Greatness is not immune to the fading effects of time. Neither is the food business. However, like last years fashions, food establishments can be reinvented. Mick’s restaurants is doing just that. In February of 2001, Chris Stubbs, Jim Lawlor and Maureen Kalmanson, took over the ownership of the Decatur, Bennett Street and Midtown Mick’s restaurants respectively. In just a short time, their dedication to the excellence of these businesses is transforming Mick’s into the great Atlanta icon that it once was. All three owners cut their proverbial restaurant teeth in Mick’s restaurants. When the previous owners decided to sell, these three restaurant professionals decided to buy. The first Mick’s opened in 1984 in the current Midtown location, named after third partner Bob Amick’s father, who was nicknamed “Mick.” Chris started with the company in 1996, Jim in 1990 (Mick’s has been his first and only career path) and Maureen joined the group in 1987. Between the three owners, they have over 58 years of restaurant experience. They had the opportunity to change the name, but all three firmly believe in the name and the concept. “We are here everyday, it’s very obvious that we are owner operated. It’s important to us that we make sure the quality is top notch and that we can put our stamp of approval on everything,” says Chris. The team is very dedicated to training employees as well as empowering them. “Working closely with the employee’s is important to us, we thank them everyday and mean it,” says Maureen. The changes in these particular Mick’s have been subtle, yet positive. The interior and exteriors have been enhanced using the blue, black and white color schemes, giving it more of a sophisticated feel. All the food is still made from scratch including fresh sauces and soups, and breads that are baked daily in a local bakery. Future menu changes include bringing back old favorites such as the Pepper burger, Scallop linguine, and the grilled salmon citrus salad. You can still find the most wonderful Oreo Cheesecake on the menu, as well as the tasty fried green tomatoes. Those items alone are worth the trip. The new owners say their new niche is to focus more on the community and to get to know their neighbors. “We ‘rescued’ these restaurants in order to bring them back to their glory days. In turn, many of Mick’s original customers are coming back,” says Chris. Jim adds that he has received more handshakes in the last few months than ever before, as people are noticing the new upholstery and many other improved details. All three agreed that the restaurants needed some tender loving care, and Chris added, “Most importantly, it needed people who related to the original concept. Mick’s was an icon in the restaurant business. We wanted to bring that icon back.” When asked about the slowing economy and it’s impact on this restaurant group, Chris responded by saying, “We will weather the storm better than others if we can personally work to guarantee a good experience for all of the customers.” Great value seems to be the key factor with prices for lunch from $7-$9 and dinner from $9-$14. “Some concepts offer a huge price and a small portion. We want to give a big bang for the buck,” says Jim. Many employees, some of which have worked for the restaurant group for 15 or more years, are thrilled to have these owners on board. There is a prep cook at the Buckhead location that has to take 2 to 3 buses and then the train to arrive at work by 6:45 AM, three days a week. Sylvia Macon has been a dedicated employee who has worked as a waitress for the Midtown location for the past 15 years and has an incredible enthusiasm for her job. “Some customers stopped coming here, and now they are returning. Maureen loves this store and she is very personable to the customers,” says Sylvia. “Food here is made with love. The prep cooks take what they do very personally, in that they take incredible pride in what they create,” says Chris. Mick’s will sell whole desserts and their salad dressings to the public. “We have one customer that will buy our blue cheese dressing and tomato soup every third week. She’d rather make the trip to see us for these items than visit the grocery store,” says Jim. Maureen remembers when they once ordered tuna fish so that a customer in her 70’s could have a tuna fish sandwich when she came in. They are very community focused and want to give back by participating in events such as the Inman Park Arts Festivals and the Taste of Decatur, as well as hosting a book signing for a new author. With the new changes, also comes the goal of attracting customers that have not visited in a long time. The new slogan, “Come and See Us Again for the First Time,” reiterates their dedication to that mission. Although all the restaurants are a little different, they all have the same great focus and the same menu, each having it’s own character. In the big sea of restaurant choices in this city, Mick’s offers some unique alternatives worth looking at again or for the first time. The new Mick’s are located at 2110 Peachtree Rd. (Bennett Street), 116 East Ponce (Decatur), and 557 Peachtree Street (Midtown). Visit them for the first time all over again. |
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