Traci Sisson has purchased the former Vault and Steakhouse Saloon in Sandusky and will reopen it as Mint. (Photo by Eric Levine)
It’s been Traci Sisson’s dream for two decades. And it’s going to become reality.
Sisson, of Marlette, has purchased the Vault Steakhouse and Saloon restaurant, at the downtown traffic light in Sandusky.
The 47-year-old Sisson closed the deal on June 30, which is already a significant day in her life.
“I got to do it on my birthday,” said Sisson. “It was a great present for me.”
Sisson will reopen the restaurant in a few months with a new name, Mint, which both reflects the history of the century-old landmark that served as a banking institution for most of those years, and her desire to serve locally grown food – fresh vegetables and meat from farms.
She wants to pursue the idea of getting 4-H and the Sanilac Career Center’s biotechnology program involved as food suppliers. And, as further example of her desire for “fresh,” she may grow mint in the windowsills.
Sisson says she’s preparing an “All American” menu, plus “a little Italian,” that will include appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, sides, flatbread and salads.
This landmark building in downtown Sandusky will be home to a new restaurant, Mint. (Photo by Eric Levine)
Contractors are working on “minor cosmetic” changes to the building, along with creating spaces on the main dining level and basement for small and large events such as family dinners, business meetings, and larger social activities.
Sisson expects to open the Mint a couple weeks before Thanksgiving. By then, she anticipates the state will have approved the liquor license transfer from the Vault, which opened in the fall of 2018 but closed a couple years later.
Mint will be open seven days a week.
Opening a restaurant is a longtime dream of the Sisson’s.
“I’ve had the dream of a restaurant for about 20 years,” said Sisson, who took culinary and restaurant management classes two decades ago “when I started thinking about my dream.”
She said, “I love the atmosphere, the pace of a restaurant, and I enjoy people.”
While she will manage the Mint full time, Sisson said she will hire a head chef for the kitchen.
While she’s concentrating on her new venture, Sisson is continuing her involvement in the Marlette community. She is the treasurer of Marlette Township, member (and past chairman) of the Marlette park board, and vice present of a Marlette trucking company.
Although the dream was always to open a restaurant in Marlette, when the realtor showed her the Vault, at 4 W. Sanilac Avenue, she knew immediately it was the right fit.
“One day of looking sold it for me,” said Sisson
“I plan on making it great.”
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