Determination, dream becomes reality

BombBurgers Sports Lounge promotes family atmosphere

 

IMLAY CITY — A vision at a young age has led to the creation of Imlay City’s newest business. BombBurgers Sports Lounge.

Located adjacent to the highly successful BombBurgers restaurant at 1829 S. Van Dyke, the sports bar is in it’s infancy but already drawing rave reviews.

“It’s something we’ve wanted to do for a long time,” said owner Gjon Marku, along with his wife, Jackie. “Imlay City has needed something like this for a long time. It saves people from driving down to the city for this kind of atmosphere.”

The Markus continue to put the finishing touches on the upstart business, but are thrilled with how things have gone with their “soft opening.”

Gjon said, “we are still working on things like staffing and finishing up the final details, but we like what we are seeing already.”

In their first week of the soft opening, Gjon said, “at first, it was a few people at the bar. Each night, it has grown and grown to now a full bar and customers at tables. It’s been great, and we hope it grows into something really good for the city.”

Having been in the food service business since he was just seven years old, Gjon knows what he wants.

“My goal is to have 10 restaurants,” he said with a smile. “Some may be drive through businesses. But, I want ten. That is my goal.”

When you walk into the 2,300 square foot sports bar, a very modern, warm atmosphere greets you.

Everything from a shiny, epoxy floor to modern seating, ornate fixtures, hand-laid brick columns, bar-height tables and chairs (no booths).

By design, it is not the “typical bar scene,” according to Marku.

“We want it to be very different in here. A friendly family atmosphere,” Gjon stated. “We want happy customers who come back often. It’s worked at Bomb Burgers and we are confident with the right staff, everyone will have a great experience here and be happy when they leave, wanting to come back again.”

What’s a sports bar without televisions, you ask?

Bomb Burgers Sports Bar has twenty 65” TVs. And, for good measure, there is one that measures 100 inches and more to come. There are also two 35” TVs, one each in the two 10 x 10 lounge areas that will be for rent to small parties.

A real show stopper grabs your eye when entering the sports bar, what Gjon called, “the longest sports bar surface in Lapeer County.”

The quartz bar is around 40-feet long and will seat 20 people. The establishment has a seating capacity of 88.

“We have a full bar, both beer and mixed drinks along with selling comfort food, wings, burgers, that sort of thing,” said Marku. “People can come in get a bucket of wings, something to drink and watch all kinds of sports or whatever else is on the televisions.

The side-by-side businesses will share one kitchen and in all, the Markus expect to have a staff of 65 people, 40 at BombBurgers and another 25 at their sports bar.

“The staff makes your success,” Gjon explained. “We are one big family here. No bosses. We are all working together, side-by-side. The staff has been a real blessing to us. We are fortunate to have good staff and we are still looking to hire more.”

He calls himself a “hands-on” owner who is not afraid to work hard, no matter the job.”

Of course, Gjon credits his wife as being the driving force behind any of his success.

“She is my biggest blessing,” he said. “I say she is my GPS. Keeps me on track. Guides me and is right there by my side, through thick and thin. The good and bad.”

The Markus say they have high expectations and customer satisfaction is key. “We want to see a packed house and smiles on everyone’s faces, that’s the best compliment we can have,” said Gjon.

He said in addition to starting in the food business at a young age, keys to success for him has been a strong work ethic and not being afraid to work long hours. He assures staff will make patrons feel comfortable, with a warm welcome and wants to hear feedback from customers.

“That’s how you improve and become successful, listen to your customers,” Marku said. “We want to hear everything. Good and bad. Obviously, we hope there is more of the positive. We’ve worked super hard to make this happen.”

And if that’s not enough, the Markus say they have a big announcement coming in the next couple of weeks that will crank up the excitement even more for locals. Stay tuned!!

For now, Bomb Burgers Sports Lounge will be open from 3 p.m. until 11 p.m. daily. Once they celebrate their grand opening the first of the year, they intend to be open from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m.