Client
O’Briens Deli & Burgers
Location
Ada, MI
First Companies was tasked with transforming the old Ada School House into the new O’Briens Deli & Burgers, a quaint, family-friendly eatery. Because this historic structure had undergone multiple renovations over the past 150 years, it presented a number of challenges for the First Companies team who had to remain flexible and adapt as the interior design evolved.
The structure has a total of 1,662 SF, with 888 SF on the main level and 774 SF in the basement. Inside, the small space includes a seating area, checkout counter, and kitchen. Freshly painted walls and new hardwood flooring bring a fresh new look into the space, while a urethane hardened floor system in the kitchen and service areas make for easy clean-up. The accent wall with reclaimed pallet wood from World War II and exposed roof joists add a lot of character to the interior. The basement includes a prep area for staff with a dishwasher and walk-in coolers. The low ceilings made the installation of utilities and appliances challenging, but through careful preplanning, First Companies was able to overcome these issues, completing the project on time and on budget.
On the exterior, First Companies kept the signature red cedar siding to preserve the historic charm of the building. The team extended the canopy over the existing patio to create a covered dining area with shade for guests. This also allowed them to house and hide the mechanical equipment. Located right next to a playground, O’Briens Deli & Burgers is the perfect place for families to enjoy a meal and ice cream.
“First Companies was a pleasure to work with. They navigated the challenge of renovating a historic building excellently. Their constant communication, choice of quality subcontractors, and creative problem solving allowed our team to move in earlier than expected. I’d recommend First Companies to anyone tackling a complex project.”
– TJ O’Brien, Owner
