PUTNAM TWP. — A former Girl Scouts dining hall between Pinckney and Howell is getting a new life as a fine casual restaurant and banquet center.
Judi and Joe DeKroub are transforming the site into Horse Feathers Kitchen and Cocktails and The Reserve Events Center, at 2345 Equus Hills Drive, Pinckney, south of W. Schafer Road in Putnam Township. Their nephew, Matt Smith, will be the general manager.
"It’s going to be quite beautiful and unique," said Judi DeKroub, a restaurateur, who is establishing the facility with her husband, a real estate broker who owns Brighton-based RE/MAX Platinum. "I feel it’s an elevated location because of the privacy, the woods around it. And the views are beautiful."
While they haven't set an opening date yet, their goal is to finish renovations and open sometime in May.
A few years ago, the DeKroubs purchased the nearly 1,000-acre former Camp Innisfree. The Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan decided to close the former camp and equestrian center in 2014. About 15 acres will be used for the new restaurant and banquet center.
Judi DeKroub said they originally purchased the land to develop a gated community and those plans fell through due to wetland issues. She said she and her husband instead split the remainder of the land into 31 large parcels and have been selling them off as sites for buyers to build their own homes. They also found a buyer for the former equestrian center.
"The restaurant will be fine dining but casual," she said of Horse Feathers Kitchen and Cocktails. "We'll have good quality (dishes), locally sourced food when we can, and also some healthier options."
The Reserve Events Center portion of the facility will accommodate parties of up to about 250. It can also be divided into three event spaces for smaller parties.
"We've have a wedding booked and another party booked," DeKroub said.
She said expects to book a variety of events such as baby showers, fundraisers and business meetings. The banquet center will feature a covered patio and open-air patio for events. It will also feature a private on-suite where bridal parties can get ready.
The Horse Feathers Kitchen and Cocktails restaurant and bar will be open to the public for dining and feature its own covered outdoor seating.
"Our kitchen is massive and beautifully equipped with brand new stuff," she said. "One side of the kitchen will be for the restaurant and one side for banquets."
DeKroub describes the menu as "modern American," she said. "One of our focuses is going to be fresh seafood."
The menu will feature a variety of dishes, including goat cheese croquettes, oven-fired pizzas, roasted cauliflower, burgers, braised short rib, bourbon bread pudding, vegetarian dishes and gluten-free options
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Her interior design taste is "eclectic," she said. "We have some antique pieces that are carved and gorgeous, more modern fabrics, and some more modern chairs and tables. And there will be pops of color in the restaurant. The events center will be more neutral."
A series of bronze horse statues are "running" outside, she said.
— Contact reporter Jennifer Eberbach at jeberbach@livingstondaily.com.
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