(New Buffalo, MI) - It appears a former retail store in downtown New Buffalo is going to be turned into a restaurant.  The city’s Planning Commission last night approved outdoor dining at the old New Buffalo Pharmacy at U.S 12 and Whittaker St.

 

There’s been considerable interest in converting the building into a restaurant by a man in the fine dining industry in Chicago.  Planning Commission member Bill McCollum said the front of the building would be made shorter by 15 feet to create the outdoor dining space facing Whittaker St.  Final approval of the fine dining area now goes before the city council for final approval. 

 

McCollum said the restaurant would have enough space inside to accommodate more than

100 customers at a time.  He said the exterior of the building would also be given a new look with many outside windows to be added. 

 

Hometown Pharmacy located at the rear of the building will remain along with its drive up window, he said.  New Buffalo Pharmacy was a fixture in the community for decades but has sat empty for a couple of years.