Starting July 23, diners will have another option in Orion Township as Ruby Tuesday opens in the former World of Floors location on Lapeer Road.
Construction on the restaurant began in the building about 60 days ago, according to managing partner Tony Lankford. Lankford is a 1992 Lake Orion High School graduate and a current Oxford resident.
“I grew up here, but I haven’t lived in the area for about 10 years,” he said. “There’s no casual dining chains on this side of town, and we thought we could provide that atmosphere.”
Lankford said Ruby Tuesday is an excellent choice for people looking to have a good time with friends, people looking for a place to have a nice dinner or people looking for a place to take the family.
“We just happen to have a bar, but we can accommodate the whole group,” he said.
Extensive remodeling was done to turn the 5,040 square foot building into a restaurant. The Orion Township Ruby Tuesday seats 215 people. Lankford said the property was chosen primarily because of its location on Lapeer Road.
“We looked at a few sites out here…like where the old Harmony House used to be,” he said. “We thought this would benefit us the most, as far as traffic and being seen from the road.”
Lankford said he believes there are about 30 Ruby Tuesday restaurants in Michigan currently.
“There’s only about six or seven states that we’re not in,” he said. “Our salad bar is what we’re known for…we have 52 items, made fresh daily.”
Diners at Ruby Tuesday can enjoy the salad bar for only $1.99 with an entree. Ruby Tuesday’s menu offers a variety of pastas, steaks, burgers, chicken dishes, fajitas and more. There is also a children’s menu available.
Lankford said Ruby Tuesday looks forward to becoming a part of the Orion Township community, and plans to join the Orion Area Chamber of Commerce.
“We do all kinds of sponsorships and golf outings,” he said. “We’re happy to help out where we can.”
Ruby Tuesday’s hours are Mon.-Thurs., 11 a.m-11 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-12 a.m.; and Sun., 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
The Orion Township Ruby Tuesday, now open, is located at 720 S. Lapeer Road, in the Buckhorn Lake plaza. For more information, call 693-0940.