Churchill's a staple hangout for Flint university students
Lacee-Starr Horton
Issue date: 3/10/08 Section: Features
The next time you're looking to grab lunch with a friend or want a place to hang out between classes, don't be afraid to cross the street. While you may find lots of banks, lawyers' offices and insurance companies, you'll also find Churchill's. Churchill's Bar and Restaurant, under its current ownership, has been serving the downtown area for over 15 years. Opened when business in the downtown area was at its peak, Churchill's has seen the hardship of Flint's failing economy but has stayed optimistic. Owners Nadine Cook and Scot Richmond have held on with the hopes that the downtown area would thrive again.
"The past eight years has been a struggle," says Cook. But with features like a full bar, smoking and non-smoking dining rooms and delivery in the downtown area, Churchill's has something for everyone.
Some of their biggest customers have been students and staff from UM-Flint. Churchill's has always been a campus hangout, says Cook.
"Students like to come here because it's a homey place," she says.
The owners love to see college kids coming in to enjoy the great food. The casual atmosphere makes it a great place to relax and take a break between classes. Have early classes and often skip breakfast? You'll benefit from their breakfast menu, available weekdays 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
With student housing on the horizon, the staff at Churchill's has been getting ready to accommodate the anticipated increase in "foot traffic" in the downtown district and they are willing to do all they can to get students to visit them. That includes expanding delivery routes to include the student housing complex. Although no definite plans have been made, "we are definitely open to having more hours," Cook said of the new dorms affecting business. A lot of their current customers, aside from employees of the downtown area, come from the university, and they want students to know they are here to serve them. The university is a big part of the downtown area.
"It's time for this to be a college town," says Cook. "It's time for Flint to turn around."
Currently, Churchill's is open Monday through Friday beginning at 8 a.m. and Saturday's at 8 p.m. Thursday night is college night with $1 pitchers, 75ยข rum and cokes, a live DJ and dancing until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights feature live bands.
"The past eight years has been a struggle," says Cook. But with features like a full bar, smoking and non-smoking dining rooms and delivery in the downtown area, Churchill's has something for everyone.
Some of their biggest customers have been students and staff from UM-Flint. Churchill's has always been a campus hangout, says Cook.
"Students like to come here because it's a homey place," she says.
The owners love to see college kids coming in to enjoy the great food. The casual atmosphere makes it a great place to relax and take a break between classes. Have early classes and often skip breakfast? You'll benefit from their breakfast menu, available weekdays 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
With student housing on the horizon, the staff at Churchill's has been getting ready to accommodate the anticipated increase in "foot traffic" in the downtown district and they are willing to do all they can to get students to visit them. That includes expanding delivery routes to include the student housing complex. Although no definite plans have been made, "we are definitely open to having more hours," Cook said of the new dorms affecting business. A lot of their current customers, aside from employees of the downtown area, come from the university, and they want students to know they are here to serve them. The university is a big part of the downtown area.
"It's time for this to be a college town," says Cook. "It's time for Flint to turn around."
Currently, Churchill's is open Monday through Friday beginning at 8 a.m. and Saturday's at 8 p.m. Thursday night is college night with $1 pitchers, 75ยข rum and cokes, a live DJ and dancing until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights feature live bands.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Mike Lewis
Mike Lewis
posted 3/15/08 @ 1:32 PM EST
Churchill's is the place they took me for lunch when I interviewed for a job here, and I took to it like a pig in mud.
Our Communication/Journalism faculty is starting up a writer's group to help each other with the hard work of writing well. (Continued…)
Mike Lewis
Mike Lewis
posted 3/15/08 @ 1:34 PM EST
oops...i see a typo. not good for a so-called writer, so i'll edit my own post...
Our Communication/Journalism faculty is starting up a writer's group to help each other with the hard work of writing well. (Continued…)
Renee D
posted 1/01/09 @ 5:36 PM EST
Man I remember Churchills from my MUCH younger days; used to go there to replenish my salt with margaritas and nachos after a work out at the University Rec Center (when I was young and skinny and actually worked out!); as a U of M-Flint grad Churchills brings back many wonderful memories and it was nice to read that it is still open, thriving and helping to make downtown Flint stay alive. (Continued…)
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