Mich. Restaurant Assoc. honors two for charitable work

Nation's Restaurant News, Sept 17, 2001

LANSING, MICH. -- The Michigan Restaurant Association, based here, named The Butler in Saugatuck and Mainstreet Ventures in Ann Arbor as winners of the 2001 Michigan Restaurant Neighbor Award for their exemplary support of community charities.

The Butler was recognized for its annual golf tournament, which raises money for the Saugatuck High School athletic department, community programs and a student scholarship. This year's event brought in $9,000 for the causes.

Four-unit Mainstreet Ventures, which owns and operates Gratzi, Palio, Real Seafood Co. and The Chop House, has given more than $150,000 to causes like Easter Seals, Hearts for the Arts, Detroit Public Television, Knights of Columbus, Emerson School and Mott's Children's Hospital.

Palio this year hosted its sixth annual Dining for Dollars event, raising more than $40,000 for the HIV and AIDS Resource Center. It was the most successful HARC fund-raiser ever.