A new Italian restaurant called Mimi & Pipi’s Casa Italiana is coming to Grayling in the summer of 2024, according to official city announcements. The new restaurant is located at 118 E Michigan Ave and is currently applying for licenses. The restaurant will have a retail counter and an outdoor service area, according to license application information.
The new Italiana is owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Matthew and Christine Lafontaine. Both are long-time Grayling residents and entrepreneurs. The couple also owns a dealership, Matt Lafontaine Automotive in Grayling.
Mimi & Pipi’s Casa Italiana will take over the 3,112 sqft space on a 0.11-acre lot. The space was once occupied by Paddle Hard Microbrewery, which is now located at 227 Michigan Ave. Grayling, MI 49738. The space has been vacant since the microbrewery moved away. Located in the heart of the resurging Downtown Grayling at the intersection of I-75, US-127 and M-72, the new restaurant will serve a robust and growing local community.
By the time of this coverage, the owners weren’t available for comments.
