Ferndale's Om Cafe Plans Second Location in Traverse City

If you're headed to Michigan's North Coast this summer, you might find a little piece of Ferndale while you're there.

, the vegetarian and vegan restaurant at 23136 Woodward in Ferndale, is in the process of opening up a second location in Traverse City.

Jason Thibodeau, who owns Om Café with his mother Colleen Smiley, said the new location will open in June or early July.

"I have been visiting Traverse City since I was little and have always been in love with the area," Thibodeau said.

He said Traverse City is a great fit for the restaurant, which focuses on local, fresh and organic ingredients.

"It has become quite the foodie destination location," he said. "Traverse City is getting incredible national exposure and we just felt like the time was right. Never has there been a time like today when people have been so aware of what they put in their body. We fill that niche perfectly."

Thibodeau pointed out that Bon Appetit named Traverse City as one of America’s "top five foodie towns," and TripAdvisor.com listed the city second place in its "Top 10 Charming Small Towns."

Om Café in Traverse City will feature the same core menu items as in Ferndale but the menu will be expanded due to the new kitchen's larger size. New appetizers, gourmet semolina pizzas and vegetable stews like Om's Jamaican Rundown Stew will be featured, along with Michigan's only all-organic cocktail menu.

Thibodeau said he plans to move to Traverse City to focus on the new location but Smiley, the cafe's manager and the head cook will remain in Ferndale. He said the Ferndale location, which Smiley opened 26 years ago, is here to stay.

"We have zero intention of closing the original Om. The Om is open because of the community who supports us," he said. "We plan on being here for them for at least another 26 years like they have for us."