Having been closed nearly a year, The Landshark Raw Bar and Grill has swum back to the surface.
Acting as an old hotspot for a number of MSU students, The Landshark had an official soft opening Jan. 7 and began publicizing the opening a week later.
When The Landshark first closed last year, a number of rumors floated around campus in an attempt to reason its downfall.
Nevertheless, with new optimistic owners and a refurbished bar and staff, The Landshark is ready to make a splash.
General Manager Scott Rolen elaborated on the various changes that will enhance a student’s experience.
“So basically we have remodeled the entire restaurant, the front bar and back bar, built new seats for people and have created a whole new menu,” Rolen said. “We’re going to be adding TVs in the restaurant, and, with the added seating, people who come down early can sit down, have dinner and get drinks.”
Aside from drinks, The Landshark further focused its attention toward its menu.
With a dozen different sliders to pick from, students have the option of meatball, west Philly, Cajun chicken, beef and more.
With this in mind, The Landshark is attempting to broaden its horizons.
“We’re trying to get a sports crowd in here, as well as the sororities and fraternities that came down here in the past,” Rolen said.
Although Rolen and owners Jody Haddad and Brandon Chin emphasized that the shark would keep the feel of the once-loved haven, just with a few new improvements.
“The owners have put a lot of money into this place to recreate the entire atmosphere of the shark,” Rolen said. “We’re still trying to create the nostalgia of the original shark.”
This includes multiple appearances from live bands and disk jockeys, as several Detroit-based DJs are scheduled as upcoming entertainment.
“We’re trying to be fresh and do different things,” owner Brandon Chin said.
The Landshark has been an emblem of MSU for a number of years.
Here for a conference, MSU alumnus Matthew Jensen, who graduated in 1992, went back to take a look at his old stomping grounds.
With a reminiscent gaze, Jensen, now an attorney, explained his fond memories.
“On Friday they had their happy hour buffet at 5 p.m., and we wouldn’t eat anything all day because we knew we could get a buffet of hot dogs, nachos and fried smelt,” said Jensen. “We had a shark bowl race and great live music.”
For students looking to make such memories, The Landshark is currently open from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. In addition to current hours, owners are planning to eventually open for a happy hour.
