The Bird and the Bear Grill
Nancy Forster-Miller and Jim Miller start The Bird and the Bear Grill as a local diner in Roscommon in 2018. An SBA Microloan by Northern Initiatives, a CDFI in Michigan, allowed the couple to purchase a building and equipment, and have working capital for the first few months of operation.
The diner was immediately both popular and profitable since it opened with breakfast, lunch, and baked goods service. Customer demand surpassed what was expected to be seasonal summer business into a profitable one throughout the entire year. Over time, the Nancy and Jim expanded their building’s backroom for dining and holding senior and small community events as well as selling local gift items.
COVID19 got them rethinking their business model; an ownership change also required additional funding. Northern Initiatives supported the Bird and the Bear with business coaching that included help with balance sheets, including a template and step-by-step video tutorials on Initiate, an online learning portal. Individual coaching included help adding retail sales and online ordering, as well as moving to a new bookkeeping system.
Online Ordering & Curbside Pickup
- Jim Miller helped build a drive-thru window on the side of the restaurant.
- Weekly dinners to-go were put in place through a company website that was developed. These dinners have routinely sold out and have added needed sales.
Local Good Market
- Nancy took the former dining room and put together a local market featuring Made in Michigan gift items along with high-demand grocery staples that otherwise were not available in the immediate area.
- Northern Initiatives Business Services assisted with the store concept and daily retail checklists for the store as well as identifying new items with significant margins.
Helping Their Community
- Jim and Nancy work some mornings preparing free meals for local elderly residents and first responders. The “Love Card” program takes suggestions from their local customers in choosing the recipients.
Recently, a park-like space at the back of the store with family-friendly picnic tables has been added.
The key was looking for potential opportunities in the face of uncertainty.
By lowering operating expenses and adding retail offerings, the Bird and the Bear Grill believes it can remain profitable into the future while continuing to be an important gathering place for the local Roscommon / Higgins Lake community.
Visit The Bird & The Bear Grill
