PETOSKEY — After more than eight years of service, POUR in Petoskey is getting ready to close its doors.
This isn’t a sad transition for POUR, however, said general manager Todd Chinnock. Instead, a new Italian restaurant will be filling the space under the new name of Leto’s Osteria.
Chinnock said chef Ray Kumm moved to Northern Michigan with the goal of opening his own restaurant, but in the meantime, worked at POUR as a bartender. After issues arose with the building he planned to purchase, POUR teamed up with Kumm to help make his dream a reality.
“We really believe in his (Kumm’s) talent and his previous accomplishments and so we decided that we wanted to join forces with him,” Chinnock said. “That’s really the impetus for the change. We saw an opportunity with a unique talent, and decided to take it.”
POUR originally opened in August 2016, and its last day will be Saturday, March 15. Leto’s Osteria is expected to be up and running this spring, though no dates have yet been finalized.
Chinnock said the collaboration with Kumm has been exciting and there’s a lot of momentum they’re feeling during the collaborative research and development process.
Finding a chef that was interested in carrying out POUR’s vision has been a challenge, Chinnock said, knowing that a from-scratch operation can be labor intensive, so now felt like a good time to make a change.
He added that while a few loyal customers are sad to see POUR go, he’s been hearing a lot of really positive feedback since announcing the change that will be coming to the space at 422 E. Mitchell St. in downtown Petoskey.
Kumm’s background is in Italian food, Chinnock said, adding that the type of restaurant he was trying to create doesn’t exist in Petoskey, so they’re looking forward to offering the chance to help bring Kumm’s aspirations to life.
— Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @KarlyGrahamJrn.