Two Zeeland restaurant owners have teamed up to open a new eatery downtown.

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The Holland Sentinel reports,Teresa and Tim Vander Zwaag, who own The Farmhouse, were looking for a space to host private events.

The Farmhouse Zeeland, Facebook
The Farmhouse Zeeland, Facebook
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A banquet facility had been sitting unused at 136 E. Main Ave. next to Frank's Restaurant downtown Zeeland, which had been facing its own hardships during the pandemic.

Frank's Restaurant, Facebook
Frank's Restaurant, Facebook
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The Vander Zwaags approached Frank's owner Shane Hammer, great-grandson of original founders Frank and Mary Dionise, who opened the business in 1924.

Hammer allowed the Vander Zwaags use of the banquet facility and they helped him to reopen Frank's Restaurant, which had been limited to carry-out only.

According to the Holland Sentinel,

Together, the team worked to reopen Frank's. Hammer needed staff, so Vander Zwaag stepped in. They brought back the "legendary" Frank's lunch hour, six days a week. In their time as partners, Vander Zwaag and Hammer began dreaming of a more permanent use for the banquet space next door.

The goal is to open a new restaurant in the space at 136 E. Main Ave. in phases, with a grand opening by summer.

The new eatery and Frank's will have different names and addresses, but will share restrooms, a hallway, and a kitchen, the Holland Sentinel reports. They'll share a menu too, however the original Frank's Restaurant will not serve alcohol.

Vander Zwaag purchased the liquor license from the-now closed Elbow Room and in the process of transferring it to the new location. Vander Zwaag tells the Holland Sentinel once the City of Zeeland approves the liquor license, she'll begin training staff.

I don't know how I've lived in West Michigan my whole life and this is the first time I'm hearing of Frank's Restaurant! I'm excited to eat there - and the new spot, which for now, is tentatively being called "Frank's East".

Frank's looks like a real, classic American diner. If you haven't been there either, Frank's claim to fame is serving "the best burgers around" (and being "the longest running restaurant in Zeeland".)

Frank's Restaurant, Facebook
Frank's Restaurant, Facebook
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Frank's Restaurant, Facebook
Frank's Restaurant, Facebook
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In addition to a variety of hamburgers and cheeseburgers, Frank's also serves soup, sandwiches, wraps, fries, onion rings, grilled cheese, and chicken strips.

Frank's Restaurant, Facebook
Frank's Restaurant, Facebook
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You can check out their full menu here!

Keep up with info on the restaurant by following Frank's on Facebook.

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