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