(Chelsea Update would like to thank D&B Strategic Marketing for the information in this story.)
A new music venue, bistro and event space project is under construction at 117-1/2 South Main St.
JD’s Stage Bistro will be a music venue, bistro, and event space designed to reflect Chelsea’s culture and love of the arts. A strong complement to the Purple Rose Theatre, it will provide a nighttime venue to enrich and complement Chelsea’s standing as a destination for arts and cultural entertainment.
The idea for JD’s Stage Bistro began when Tannin Property Group partnered with Jeff Daniels to envision a world-class music venue with exceptional food and a welcoming space for gatherings with family and friends. Daniels, along with his son, Ben, and wife, Amanda, joined the project to help create a music venue that would attract local, regional and nationally recognized singer-songwriters, while setting a new standard for sound quality.
Tannin Property Group is a small business that has been part of the Chelsea community since 2005. The ownership team of Sandra and Aaron Vermeulen, Nathaniel Stanton, and Roy Farmer have helped preserve and enhance the heart of Main Street. The company’s projects include the renovation of 115 South Main St., formerly the Hallmark Store, which they transformed into mixed-use commercial and residential spaces. Recently, the company restored the Flintoft Law Office, which is now home to Serendipity Bookstore, while maintaining the Kempf Bank and Farmers and Merchants Bank gas lights, as well as the teller cage that Peter Flintoft had restored for his law office.
The company’s tenants include Chelsea Bakery and the former Ale House, which is being used as the construction office and will be remodeled and available for rent soon. The redevelopment also included the renovation of three residential downtown apartments.
Chef Nate Wegryn, formerly of Echelon Kitchen and The Dixboro Project, will feature a contemporary menu, working with many local farmers and suppliers. The 100-seat restaurant will include a wood-fired pizza oven, cocktail bar, patio seating, and multiple private event spaces. The event spaces will cater to small to mid-sized community gatherings and private celebrations.
The venue was designed by Aaron Vermeulen, principal of O-X Studio, Inc., and Nat Stanton, principal of Craft Structural Engineering, Inc. Mechanical and Electrical engineering was provided by Kelly Sugg of Greenpath Design and Lynn Surdock at WPF Engineering. Acoustics will be at the forefront, by Gavin Haverstick, lead acoustical consultant at Haverstick Designs. Acoustic treatments, structural reinforcements, and sound-absorbing materials are being incorporated to ensure performances enhance downtown without disrupting nearby residents and businesses.
The venue will create new job opportunities for restaurant and event staff, provide opportunities for local and regional musicians, and serve as an intergenerational gathering place.
The owners anticipate an opening of JD’s Bistro in spring 2026. They look forward to welcoming the community into a space built with care, creativity, and a deep respect for Chelsea’s past and future.
For more information, please visit www.jdsstagebistro.com.
