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One of Washtenaw County’s favorite barbecue joints is coming to Saline.
Bone Heads BBQ plans to open in the Saline Commons plaza, which features Emagine Theatre, at the northwest corner of Michigan Avenue and Industrial Drive.
Christy Loeher is a manager at Bone Heads BBQ, which Jim and Nikki Lachance opened in 2009 at 10256 Willis Road, in Willis, in 2009. Now, 10 years later, Bone Heads is growing.
“We are expanding our catering and we’ve outgrown our current location. We’ve got a lot of business in Saline and out towards Ann Arbor, so it made sense,” Loeher said. “(The Lachances) just happened to find this space. It’s near a busy theater and it’s close to the schools, which always have a lot of athletics and events going on. So they liked this location.”
The Saline restaurant will be located two doors north of Mancino’s. The Willis Restaurant will continue operating.
“It’ll be a little different. But we’ll have all the barbecue things people love about Boneheads,” Loeher said. There will be sandwiches, salads and other menu items.
One key difference is that it will be a self-serve restaurant. Customers will order their meal at the counter rather than be served by wait staff. Loeher said there are plans to create an app to allow people to order in advance.
They are planning seating for 62.
The new location will employ about 15 people and Boneheads plans to start training soon. (Apply here)
Loeher said renovations are expected to begin soon. They hope to be open within three months.
The restaurant hopes to build on a growing following in Saline.
“We cater a lot of graduations and parties. And people know us, not only for great barbecue, but for being welcoming to guests,” Loeher said. “We really appreciate the support we get from our regulars and repeat customers. So we like to be involved and do things with the schools. We’re excited to start a new era in Saline.”
Bone Heads BBQ will be located at 1333 E. Michigan Ave. The space has been vacant for nearly a decade and was last occupied by Flaming Shish restaurant. Paddyngton's R&I, of Dexter, is listed as the contractor on AF Jonna's building permit, which was issued Aug. 15 and expires in February of 2020.
The Saline Commons plaza has undergone major changes over the last decade. The Blockbuster video store has been replaced by Nu2u Again and Knockerball. Among other changes, the Country Market grocery store was replaced by Emagine Theatre.
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