We will be participating in the 2nd Annual Waiter/Waitress Race (which benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) THIS Sunday, August 29 at the Craftsmen Chop! Come cheer us on!
Our Cocoa Loco Float is the Hot Ticket Item of the week! Come see why
Central City Tap House is reviewed in today's Kalamazoo Gazette! Check it out
Revue Magazine-August 2010-Chef Kirk McKinney is the topic
Kalamazoo Gazette-August 19, 2010-Cocoa Loco Float is the Hot Ticket !tem of the week
Kalamazoo Gazette-August 13, 2010-Central City Tap House is reviewed
Kalamazoo Gazette-July 19, 2010-The Epic Bistro & Central City Tap House's new Executive Chef Kirk McKinney is featured
Kalamazoo Gazette-July 15, 2010-Central City Tap House at Taste of Kalamazoo is discussed
Revue Magazine-July 2010-Central City Tap House is the topic
Kalamazoo Gazette-June 27, 2010-Michigan Smoking ban is discussed and Millennium Restaurants are featured
KalamaBREW-June 24, 2010-The Central City Tap House is featured
KalamaBREW-May 26, 2010-The Central City Tap House is Previewed
Shoreline Magazine-May/June 2010-Martell's Tavern in Coldwater is featured
Kalamazoo Gazette-April 30, 2010-Martell's new patio is previewed
Kalamazoo Gazette-April 15, 2010-The Union's Mojitos are featured
Kalamazoo Gazette-April 2, 2010-Epic Bistro "One Night Only" Lisa Minnelli (Impersonator)
Kalamazoo Gazette-March 18, 2010-Epic Bistro's Corn Cake is the Hot Ticket Item of the Week!
Kalamazoo Gazette-March 4, 2010-Mas Que Nada performing at The Union
Kalamazoo Gazette-March 4, 2010-Fieldstone Grill's Dessert menu is featured
MiBiz Meetings and Conventions-March 1, 2010-Managing Partner Shelly Pastor is interviewed
Kalamazoo Gazette-January 11, 2010-Martell's Wine program is featured
Kalamazoo Gazette-January 7, 2010-The Union's "Stulberg & All That Jazz" Concert is featured
Kalamazoo Gazette-November 5, 2009-Martell's Antipasti is the Hot Ticket Item
Kalamazoo Gazette-October 29, 2009-Epic Bistro's Walleye Po'Boy Sandwich is the Hot Ticket Item
Kalamazoo Gazette-October 12, 2009-The March of Dimes Signature Chef's Auction
Kalamazoo Gazette-September 8, 2009-The NEW Martell's is previewed
Kalamazoo Gazette-August 24, 2009-The Black Swan's Wedding Reception Party
Kalamazoo Gazette-July 30, 2009-The Union's Gobstopper Shot is featured
Kalamazoo Gazette-July 24, 2009-Martell's at Taste of Kalamazoo is featured
Kalamazoo Gazette-July 9, 2009-Epic Bistro's Sangria is Featured
Kalamazoo Gazette-June 19, 2009-The Union & Lana's Couture Fashion Show
Kalamazoo Gazette-June 1, 2009-The Black Swan to Change Concept
Kalamazoo Gazette-May 8, 2009-Dine out, Fight AIDS with Fieldstone Grill: Recap
Kalamazoo Gazette-May 5, 2009-The Union's upcoming Strolling Wine dinner is mentioned
Kalamazoo Gazette-April 20, 2009-Dine out, Fight AIDS with Fieldstone Grill.
Kalamazoo Gazette-April 16, 2009-Hot Ticket Item: The Freddo Winetail at Epic Bistro
Kalamazoo Gazette-March 20, 2009-2009 Millennium Showcase is reviewed
Kalamazoo Gazette-March 12, 2009-Hot Ticket Item: Bloody Marys at The Union Cabaret & Grille
Kalamazoo Gazette-March 10, 2009-Bloody Marys at The Union Cabaret & Grille are featured
Kalamazoo Gazette-February 16, 2009-Chef Trent Mead of the Black Swan featured
Kalamazoo Gazette-February 9, 2009-Valentine's Day Sweet Treats
Kalamazoo Gazette-February 9, 2009-Valentine's Day
Kalamazoo Gazette-February 6, 2009-Epic Bistro is named one of the top 7 restaurants for Valentine's Day
Kalamazoo Gazette-January 28, 2009-Chef Eric Gillish of the Union wins Chili Cook Off
Kalamazoo Gazette-Devember 11, 2008-Holiday Activities for the Whole Family
Wall Street Journal-November 4, 2008-The Epic Bistro and the Union are featured
Kalamazoo Gazette-October 21, 2008-Black Swan, Epic Bistro, and The Union are all honored in the "Reader's Choice" awards
Kalamazoo Gazette-August 14, 2008-Hot Ticket Item: House infused liquors at The Union Cabaret & Grille
Kalamazoo Gazette-June 4, 2008-Hot Ticket Item: Blue Jean Burgers at Fieldstone Grill
Girl Scouts, Glowing Embers-March 2008-Baker's Dozen 2008 Results
Kalamazoo Gazette-February 11, 2008-Gumbo Cook off
Western Michigan Business Review
July 3, 2008
Kenneth Miller may be the consummate business man.
Now the principal partner of Millennium Restaurant Group, which owns six higher-end eateries throughout western Michigan, Miller has worn many hats, from lawyer to banker to manufacturer.
He co-founded a plethora of diverse businesses including Keystone Community Bank and AvTech Laboratories Inc., both in Kalamazoo. He also cofounded polystyrene manufacturer Team Industries Inc. in Grand Rapids and Winchester, Va., which he continues to oversee as a director.
"Over the years, I've done everything from orthopedics (to) radio stations in California, Nevada, Michigan," Miller said from his spacious office near the Black Swan -- the flagship restaurant Miller bought from Betty Upjohn in 1990.
Now his group of independent restaurants, spread throughout Kalamazoo, Portage and Coldwater, occupy about 50 percent of his time, he said, with the other chunk dedicated to civic interests, including board membership at Keystone, Western Michigan University -- his alma mater -- and Downtown Kalamazoo Inc.
In fact, downtown holds much promise for new restaurant enterprises, he said, once the market turns around.
"I see significant growth opportunities in terms of market acceptance and in terms of concepts," he said. "There's opportunities I'd like to seize right now."
A tougher lending environment and reduced consumer spending are staying his hand, however. Right now is not a strong time for restaurants, although he has seen tremendous growth in revenue at the downtown Epic Bistro.
"We on a daily basis get price increases," Miller said. "Utilities ..., the minimum wage increase, the cost of almost every single product we sell or use (has risen), yet we have not increased our prices yet."
Consumers may not be willing to accept those hikes, he said.
"There's never a point right now where I can relax," he continued. "Between regulations, which you always have to be careful of, the tightness of margins, the economy, and financial perils, you feel you're walking on eggshells constantly."
He finds relief when he visits the horse farm he shares with his wife. Together, they have five horses -- two of which belong to commercial real estate developer Joshua Weiner of Meyer C. Weiner.
And if he didn't enjoy the restaurant business, he could delve into yet another new chapter of business. But the social aspect of working with his seasoned management group to solve problems and brainstorm new ideas still intrigues him.
"Every day I sit down with groups of managers and talk about opportunities and challenges. I love group brainstorming," he said.
This group of managers handles the grind of daily activities at the restaurants, which include Kalamazoo's Union, Epic Bistro, Black Swan and new Cityscape event venue, as well as Portage's Fieldstone Grill and Coldwater's Martell's Tavern on the Green. That leaves Miller to hatch his next eatery idea.
"It's almost entertainment to me," he said.
