Carl’s Golfland and Rusty Bucket investing in Bloomfield Township locations

Carl’s Golfland is getting a new look. The Bloomfield Township board on Monday approved a site plan for expansion and significant landscaping improvements at the golf super store off of Telegraph Road.

Store officials are planning a 15,000 square-foot addition to primarily serve as a warehouse with some retail use, said Patti Voelker, township planning director. The property is adjacent to the LA Fitness and the two businesses have an easement agreement for traffic circulation and parking. There are 292 parking spaces between them.

The biggest visible change will be to the sign and landscaping facing Telegraph. A 32 square-foot illuminated ground sign embedded in flowers and other plants will replace the current sign, which is out of compliance with city ordinance. The new sign will also have interchangeable letters for advertising. Store officials said they need it to attract business because security concerns prevent them from using storefront windows that are common along Telegraph.

“The landscaping is pretty extensive and enhances the front image,” Voelker said.

Both the township’s Zoning Board of Appeals and Board of Review were swayed by the store’s inability to use display window advertisements and were impressed with the improvements, officials said. The store is celebrating its 53rd year in business.

New restaurant to open in November

The Rusty Bucket franchise plans to open its third location in Michigan this fall in Bloomfield Township.

The Ohio-based chain is renovating the former Bennigan’s location at 42874 Woodward Ave. to create a 205-person capacity restaurant with an enclosed terrace for seasonal dining. The Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees unanimously passed the final site plan and liquor license transfer on Monday.

The establishment should open sometime in November and has a variance to stay open past 9 p.m. Township Planning Director Patti Voelker said it will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday.

The other Rusty Bucket restaurants are located in West Bloomfield and Northville.