In September, hockey dad and entrepreneur Matthew Kavanaugh opened CD Top Shelf bar and grill in Arctic Breakaway’s former space upstairs in Chelsea’s ice arena. Kavanaugh says the restaurant will “focus on fresh,” and include pizzas, plus chopped sandwiches and salads. He’ll also offer Arctic Breakaway “fan favorites,” including batter-fried chicken tenders, shrimp, and cod. The bar will feature craft cocktails, beer, and wine, including a wine slushie machine through Memphis, Michigan’s Sage Creek Winery.
Related: Arctic Breakaway Takes a Shot
It will be Kavanaugh’s fifth Chop Detroit or CD Top Shelf business inside an ice arena since he opened his first in Hazel Park early last year. (Others are located in Mount Clemens, Brighton, and Ann Arbor.) He says the main floor concession stand in Chelsea will become a Chop Detroit Express, with “healthy grab-and-go” snacks.
Kavanaugh says he left a travel-heavy career in corporate America to start his own business because he wanted to spend more time with his family. He and his wife Teresa, a middle school science teacher in Shelby Twp., have three boys under age thirteen who all play hockey. Since he started Chop Detroit, “I haven’t missed one of their practices or games yet!”
CD Top Shelf, 501 Coliseum Dr. (Arctic Coliseum), Chelsea. (734) 475–9999. Mon. 4–10 p.m., Tues. 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Wed. 4 p.m.–midnight, Thurs. 4–10 p.m., Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m.–11 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–midnight. Facebook: Chop Detroit.