September 5 • 2019 47
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owntown Birmingham has
witnessed its fair share of restau-
rants that come and go. Yet,
Aaron F. Belen is not giving up. In fact,
he has invested nearly two years of hard
work to bring The Morrie to the city of
Birmingham.
Belen owns AFB Hospitality Group,
which opened The Morrie in Royal
Oak in 2016. AFB is also behind the
award-winning Bistro 82 and SCL Royal
Oak ultra-lounge and nightclub.
Now, the Bloomfield Hills resident is
ready to test the waters again — this time
in Birmingham, a city that has always
meant a great deal to him.
“I’
ve spent a long time working with
city officials and all the powers that be in
town, explaining the package and team
that I’
m bringing,
” Belen says.
The 36-year-old spent part of his life in
Birmingham, along with his late grand-
father, Morrie Fenkell, who is behind the
restaurant’
s name.
“There weren’
t a lot of Jewish people
in Birmingham, but my grandfather
moved into the Birmingham Place when
they built the building — he was the first
tenant to sign the lease. He always loved
Birmingham — he used to walk around
and talk to shop owners and friends.
”
Sadly, Morrie died of pancreatic cancer
in 2007, prior to the restaurant’
s opening.
“I know he would love this place,
”
Belen says. “He was just a cool, well-liked
guy — he played a massive role in my
life.
”
While Belen had his sights set on
Birmingham for some time, he has
become accustomed to answering the
common question, “Why not Detroit?”
“I’
m really happy for its success, but I
think Birmingham is being overlooked. I
think we had a huge canvas here to paint
in our category that didn’
t exist ever. This
is the biggest project to open in the food
and beverage business in Birmingham
this year.
”
The Morrie in Birmingham maintains
its signature rock ‘
n’
roll vibe with a full
stage and records plastered on the wall.
Yet, the nearly 8,000-square-foot venue
has its own feel, complete with a 16-seat
outdoor patio and an exclusive private
room that accommodates up to 40 guests.
“Each Morrie that we open is going
to have its own identity, but we all want
them to feel like they are on brand and
that it is synergistic between all cities,
”
Belen says.
TVs stationed above the bar area
retract, revealing an elevated stage
equipped to host talent like The Morrie’
s
house band, “Your Generation in
eats | drinks | sweets
nosh
Belen Brings
The Morrie to
Birmingham
After two years of hard work,
Aaron F. Belen opens a second
location of The Morrie.
ALLISON JACOBS DIGITAL EDITOR
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE MORRIE/TERENCE WARDE
TOP: The Morrie opened in Birmingham Aug. 15.
continued on page 48