A historic landmark in downtown Buchanan has taken on new life as The Grant Hotel and McCollum’s, a boutique hotel and restaurant opened this spring by local business partners Cami Bowling and Michael Reed.
The venture breathes new energy into the 1800s-era McCollum building on Days Avenue, a structure that once served as a livery and later a firehouse. After months of renovations supported in part by a grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the owners launched the project in May.
In an interview during WSJM’s Morning Show with Ken & Friends, the co-owners explained The Grant Hotel combines historic charm with modern amenities, offering a fully digital check-in system that allows guests to access their rooms without a traditional front desk. Bowling said occupancy has been steady since opening, with weekends consistently sold out and weekday bookings growing as word spreads. Visitors have come from across Michigan as well as the Chicago area, drawn by both the hotel’s unique setting and Buchanan’s emerging reputation as a regional destination.
“Being able to welcome guests to Buchanan in a building with this much history has been incredibly rewarding,” Bowling said. “We’ve worked to preserve its character while making it a place people want to stay.”
Attached to the hotel is McCollum’s, a full-service restaurant headed by Chef Chase Molica. According to the co-owners, the menu blends comfort food and creativity, with dishes ranging from Wagyu burgers — already the top seller — to rotating specials that highlight house-made egg rolls with inventive fillings such as shrimp Rangoon, Reuben, and jalapeño mac and cheese rolled in hot Cheeto dust. Sunday brunch has also quickly become popular, and both indoor and patio seating are available year-round.
Bowling and Reed said they wanted McCollum’s to feel approachable to both visitors and locals. Early feedback shows the restaurant is serving as a community gathering spot as well as an attraction for travelers.
The opening comes as Buchanan undergoes major infrastructure improvements, including roadwork that has reshaped much of the downtown. The owners see their project as part of the city’s broader revitalization and hope it encourages more investment in the central business district.
“Our vision is to create a destination that honors Buchanan’s past while contributing to its future,” Bowling said.
The Grant Hotel and McCollum’s is located at 206 Days Avenue in Buchanan and is open to both overnight guests and the public.
