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How Tim Barr got Art’s liquor license

Art’s Tavern in the heart of Glen Arbor celebrates 90 years this year. Tim Barr (who tourists often confuse with “Art”) bought Art’s from Mike Wiesen on July 17, 2000—smack dab in the busy summer season. He couldn’t afford to wait an extra day, or week, for the liquor license to transfer names, so Tim—together with Tom Reay, a long-time Art’s bartender who had just opened Funistrada restaurant in Burdickville—chartered a plane from Traverse City to Lansing to sign the paperwork late in the afternoon at the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. They flew home and returned to Glen Arbor, where Art’s was packed. “Being my own boss was the number 1 priority,” recalled Tim.

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New owners, same Funistrada

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Mike and Susan Garver acquired Trattoria Funistrada on May 1 from Tom and Holly Reay, who opened Burdickville’s beloved Italian restaurant in 2000. But Susan insists that nothing will change. Same menu, same ambience, same friendly staff. Holly will remain this summer as bookkeeper. The Garvers may repaint the exterior, but they’ll use the exact same light green hue as before. “We purchased Funistrada simply to preserve the legacy that Tom and Holly created and perfected these past 23 years,” said Susan. “Our intent is to keep Funistrada exactly the same, including the outstanding staff, delicious recipes, and the warm and inviting atmosphere that so very many people, including our own family, have grown to love.

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A grieving Glen Lake family shines a light on teen depression

It wasn’t until an Aug. 29 memorial service for their son, Tommy, that Holly and Tom Reay learned how much the 17-year-old had helped other northern Michigan teenagers who also suffered from anxiety and depression. The loss of Tommy on July 10 sent shockwaves through the Glen Lake community and pried open the door for some families to talk about mental health issues. “There were children who knew Tommy and immediately went to their parents and asked for help,” said Tom Reay. Out of a desire to educate the community about mental illness and depression, and shine a light on a painful subject too often swept into the shadows, the Reays—who own the Burdickville restaurant Trattoria Funistrada—used social media to destigmatize and foster conversations about suicide soon after Tommy took his own life.

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