Jeff Daniels, acclaimed actor and musician, is partnering with the Tannin Property Group to open a new restaurant and music venue in his hometown, Chelsea, in Spring 2026.
When Aaron Vermeulen and Roy Farmer of the Tannin Property Group first approached Daniels in 2023, Daniels was hesitant to attach his name to “just another restaurant,” said his daughter-in-law, Amanda Daniels. Amanda serves as the venue director and talent buyer for the Daniels’ new project. Jeff Daniels and his family wanted to use this new opportunity as a way to uplift the arts community of Chelsea, much like he did with The Purple Rose Theatre in 1991. This time, instead of acting, Daniels decided to share his and his family’s other passion with Chelsea: music.
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JD’s Stage Bistro will be a combination music venue and bistro. The 130-seat venue section will be a listening room with a full bar serving food and cocktails throughout the show. “We want [the experience] to be less ‘sit down and watch,’ and more ‘enjoy your time and listen,’ Amanda said of the intended relaxed atmosphere. If you can’t make a show or simply want to visit another time, you can join them in the bistro section. Here, they’ll have a wood-fired pizza oven along with a full bar and delicious menu. In their sub-basement, several private event spaces will also be available to book.
The Daniels family is thrilled to curate such an impressive music venue. They aim to feature many different types of performance, with a particular emphasis on stripped-down sets that serve to enhance the casual ambience. Viewers can expect acoustic and jazz sets, singer-songwriters, or even late-night pianists and lofi DJs.
Amanda explained that, because the family are musicians themselves, they are hoping to create the kind of experience they appreciate while on tour.
“We know it’s a small venue, but we’re hoping the performers walk away feeling like it was one of their favorite places to play,” she said. She is particularly excited about their world-class sound system, which will be able to compete with more prominent performance venues in larger cities.
While the music is what gives the restaurant its own flair, the food is what they hope will keep customers coming back again and again. Chef Nate Wegryn, formerly of Echelon Kitchen and the Dixboro Project, is currently crafting the perfect menu to fit into this vibrant venue. The food will be midwestern focused, taking inspiration from old recipe boxes from Jeff Daniels’ grandmother and great grandmother. Wegryn is adding his own expertise and a modern twist to these familiar midwestern classics, of course including their wood-fired pizza. Amanda admits that she was hesitant about some of these old recipes, but has found everything Wegryn has come up with so far to be “absolutely delicious.”
The Daniels family and their partners in this project want JD’s Stage Bistro to become a community staple in such a creative town. “Chelsea is a very artist-heavy community,” Amanda said, “but with no designated music space.” They hope that, by bringing in world-class music acts, people will see how much Chelsea has to offer. “We’d love to see Chelsea become more of a destination,” Amanda said. They also want to emphasize giving back to the community, by partnering with Michigan farms and makers and hosting community fundraising nights for local schools, arts, and causes close to home.
JD’s Stage Bistro is actively in the construction phase, and is set to open in Spring 2026. To follow along with their progress, be sure to check them out on Facebook or Instagram, and on their website. Keep an eye out for updates on construction progress, hiring, and opening dates.
