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Residents and boaters alike have been pining for a new restaurant to fill the vacancy at the Bainbridge Marina for several years.

After putting the restaurant up for lease twice, the City is proud to announce Curly’s on the Flint will be opening for all guests in September.

City Manager Chris Hobby said the City renewed Mike King’s lease on the Marina, while creating a new lease for the restaurant.

According to Hobby, the restaurant had sat vacant for approximately five-six years and the City was hearing from multiple residents how much they would like to see another restaurant there. Hobby said the City had even heard from several people who were interested in putting a restaurant in, so they advertised the restaurant lease twice.

“We had no response at all, though,” Hobby said. “Then, a couple months ago a guy approached us and we were pleasantly surprised.”

Michael R. Long, a restaurateur who operates several Mama Goldberg’s Delis in Alabama had the idea to lease the restaurant at the Marina and sell hamburgers, hotdogs and other quick bites that would be easily accessible to people who were coming off the Flint River.

“Also, he wants to cater to the surrounding businesses in that area,” Hobby said. “It’ll be hamburgers, sandwiches and maybe a few salads.”

Hobby said Long is already hard at work on renovating the space with plans to open in September. The restaurant equipment is already in place, so the main work is painting, along with décor.

“It was designed to be a restaurant and actually has more equipment than he needs, so he will be making more room,” Hobby said.

The restaurant will be open five days a week, per the lease agreement.

“I think he will be open mainly for lunch,” Hobby said. “I don’t think he will be open at night time since he’s mainly catering to the local businesses and the river traffic.”

However, if Long ever wanted to open at night or have musical entertainment for local boaters to come by and enjoy, Hobby said he has the perfect setup for that.

“He’s an experienced restaurant owner and I really think he will do good there,” Hobby said. “If the food is good, people will come to it.”

The restaurant is on a five-year lease and can be extended if both parties agree after the term is over.
Hobby said he, along with the City is glad Long is here and looks forward to his business.