Sava's State Street Cafe grows during first year in sprawling space once home to Zanzibar
Sava Lelcaj at her South State Street restaurant.
Janet Miller | For AnnArbor.com
Sava’s State Street Café has come along way since the day nearly 15 months ago when the restaurant ran out of food.
When Sava Lelcaj, 27, moved into the former Zanzibar’s in August 2009, she had no idea what to expect. Traffic was so heavy that first day that by closing time, most everything was sold out.
“In restaurant language, when you run out of something, it goes on the 86 list. We were 86ing everything. The first six months were really intense. We weren’t really prepared,” Lelcaj said.
It’s taken time, but Lelcaj said Sava’s has grown into the space: The menu has matured with more high-ticket items, the food has become consistent, she has a solid management team and her staff is trained.
In July, Lelcaj got a liquor license, adding the final piece to being settled in. “We had people coming in who were going to a show at Hill or the Power Center and they wanted a drink. We’d tell them they could order juice or a smoothie,” Lelcaj said.
The liquor license, transferred from Zanzibar, has increased traffic and sales 25 to 30 percent and has allowed Lelcaj to add more sophisticated items to her menu for customers looking for a nice meal out while still keeping her student friendly meals (including $1 hamburgers on Monday). It’s also allowed her to attract top-tier servers.
Still, it’s a work in progress, Lelcaj said. She’s growing the catering side of the operation and Sava’s has become a hot spot for wedding rehearsals, baby showers and even wedding receptions.
Lelcaj hired two event planners. She also won a license from the city that will allow dancing.
“It’s a huge space to fill,” Lelcaj said. The ground floor is long and narrow and there’s a mezzanine that floats above the main floor. The interior has a towering ceiling, high-back booths and daylight that pour in the tall windows one two sides.
Not long out of college, Lelcaj opened up her first restaurant in Hazel Park. Looking for a more vibrant city, Lelcaj, who grew up in New York City, settled on Ann Arbor and opened Sava’s State Street Café on the second floor of a building on the east side of State Street, just north of East Liberty Street. That was 2007.
And she would have stayed there except for news that CVS Pharmacy was buying the building. Her lease allowed the landlord to terminate with just 30-days notice, she said, and she felt the pressure of finding a new home every day.
“I didn’t want to change clientele. My whole business model was (targeting) students, faculty and locals and I knew I needed to be in this area. Even a block away meant I might have to change,” she said. “I didn’t want gap time.”
But Lelcaj knew available space in the coveted State Street corridor that caters to town and gown was rare, so when she heard Zanzibar was leaving, she moved fast.
Just 28 days after signing the lease, she opened in her new space, going from a 43-seat restaurant popular with students to a 300-seat (250 when outside seating closes down), from 1,500-square feet to nearly 10,000 square feet.
“It was intimidating, but not as intimidating as not having a restaurant,” Lelcaj said. “It was my only option. I had to make it work.”
In the 28 days she had to prepare, Lelcaj took down the trademark tapestries hanging from Zanzibar’s ceiling, painted and changed furniture. She also had to adapt the kitchen to allow for her catering business.
Overnight, volume rocketed five-fold, from serving 100 to 150 meals a day to 650 meals a day. There were lines around the building: Her old regulars, former Zanzibar customers and the curious. Lelcaj said she’s sure she lost some customers for good during those first hectic months.
As change continues to come to the State Street corridor, Lelcaj hopes it will bring more traffic to Sava’s. She even thinks the CVS will help.
“The new CVS will bring traffic and that should translate into visibility,” she said. “A lot of people still don’t know we’re here.”
Comments
Chas B
Fri, Apr 1, 2011 : 1:41 a.m.
Looking all over for a website for Sava's. Sure, do the Facebook social media to your heart's content. However five minutes ago websites may be, they have the basics that those unfamiliar with the restaurant can look for without having to wade through friends, comments, likes and so on.
leah
Thu, Nov 4, 2010 : 7:04 p.m.
i actually happen to work at sava's and i can most asuredly tell you all of our sauces and dishes are HOUSE MADE on a daily basis with the exception of 2 salad dressings. not only that but we DO NOT use sysco like a lot of restaurants in ann arbor do, but im not going to throw any body under the bus. we use and support local distributors. as for the service, it may not be perfect, but what restaurant is? knights steakhouse most definitely is not "perfect service" worthy.
jake
Tue, Nov 2, 2010 : 1:30 p.m.
Great job Sava! I can tell you that Sava is not from the Golden Spoon Club. I represent the local investor group that developed and owns the restaurant facility and can also speak for the building owner. When our original operators abruptly closed the door at the end of July 2009, after using our facilities for many years without fulfilling any type of financial obligation, we were left with an unoccupied building. Both our group and the building owner took a gamble on this young entrepeneur and she has fulfilled her promises and commitments. She is a hard working pragmatic young lady who has demonstrated hard work has its rewards. Keep up the good work....and we are excited about your future expansion plans.
boom
Tue, Nov 2, 2010 : 11:22 a.m.
Thanks Microtini.
microtini
Mon, Nov 1, 2010 : 10:05 p.m.
Word on the street is that Sava is the Leona Helmsley of the restaurant business. Just sayin'...
caballo
Mon, Nov 1, 2010 : 12:59 p.m.
Just ate at Savas last week. Very poor service, food bland. Ingredients and sauces did not taste "home made", as if purchased at wholesale food outlets. Not worth a repeat visit.
boom
Mon, Nov 1, 2010 : 12:03 p.m.
Sava is kinda cute. Is she married?
MjC
Mon, Nov 1, 2010 : 10:21 a.m.
RoboLogic - I've never had bad service at Mediterrano (honest!). Sava is a good restaurant. The first night I was there service was terribly slow; but the place was packed so it was understandable. But, alas, to be out of Irish whiskey?! Not ok! Still, I'd go again and I wish Sava the best.
sh1
Mon, Nov 1, 2010 : 9:41 a.m.
This has quickly become one of my favorite AA restaurants. The menu is varied. The drink choices are quirky and fun (but you can still get a beer). I have found the food and service to be excellent every time. Not to say it's that way 100% of the time for everyone. But we'll keep coming back.
Sarah
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 11:39 p.m.
The point of this article is that, although things weren't perfect when Sava's moved into the space a year ago, they have really improved! As the article says, they "weren't really prepared" then, but "Sava's...has come a long way." The place has really stepped up, in my opinion-- great food, killer drinks, and a passionate and friendly staff! Nothing's perfect, so I'd say take the advice of the writer and other commenters and give it a first (or second!) try.
treetowncartel
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 10:50 p.m.
Knights Steakhouse. Do I win a prize?
hannah
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 9:20 p.m.
@bruno_uno "funny how they never admit to the mommy/daddy connection in providing some support funds"....Actually what the article fails to admit is Sava is completely self-made with no help from mommy/daddy like you seem to think. She moved to NYC as a child after living in a refugee camp in Yugoslavia for several years. I'm sure if you had a clue about life, struggling, or respect for others, you wouldn't make such a stupid, unsubstantiated comment.
RoboLogic
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 7:17 p.m.
I wish her all the luck in the world. Now, can any naysayers tell me a place in Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti that never has bad service...ever? Come on tell me... I am all ears.
greenandblue
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 5:01 p.m.
@ Visha: I should have said I was addressing the comment to bruno uno about mommy/daddy helping out. Sorry if I offended you. FYI -- watch your use of your/you're.
ViSHa
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 4:51 p.m.
@greenandblue: so if we receive poor service at one of your "favorite restaurants" we should just pretend it's roses and sunshine so as to not offend you? and it's not a waste of time to comment on aa.com if your promoting your "favorite restaurant"? well next time i'll know!
greenandblue
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 3:48 p.m.
Sava's has become one of my favorite places downtown. The food is great at a good price, and I love the style/atmosphere of the dining area. I hope Sava's is around for a long time to come. Considering that they are busy every time I am there, it seems very likely! Additionally, it is rude comments like those above that I find so obnoxious about this website. I don't know how the contributors to aa.com deal with the ridiculous mumblings of sadists who have too much time on their hands.
Suki
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 12:40 p.m.
I've been there 4 times (twice for lunch and twice for dinner) and every time have had good service. It's been prompt, friendly, and efficient. I hope the negative comments regarding service don't keep people from trying Sava's -- the food is good, atmosphere is nice and all in all, it's a positive addition to the Ann Arbor restaurant scene.
ViSHa
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 11:45 a.m.
i've been here, the food is pretty good, especially the appetizers. service is bad--not just slow--the attitude, more like they are doing YOU a favor by waiting on you. As someone else said, that is nothing new in AA, although there are exceptions.
Julie
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 11:36 a.m.
Cathy is right. I also know Sava and she started from scratch without help from anyone, family, friends, etc... Stupid people try taking something away from someone who clearly works very hard. No matter when I'm at the restaurant she is there - breakfast, lunch, dinner or late at night... She supports local vendors and businesses and is involved in the community. The food is great and reasonably priced, better than most places on main street for half the price. And you can't beat her drink menu or the atmosphere. Service can be a little slow at times, but I kind of expect that in a 300 seat restaurant that is almost always packed. Keep up the good work!
AstroJetson
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 11:35 a.m.
Sava's is a wonderfully tasty addition to Ann Arbor's oh so many, same-old same-old restaurant choices. Nice variety of small dishes (try the yummy black bean cakes), great sandwich combos, killer tomato bisque. Wait staff has improved and, if you're in a hurry, let them know and you will not be late for your event.
Lovaduck
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 11:31 a.m.
The service in most Ann Arbor restaurants is regrettably terrible. It is sad. I had to move out of town and to larger cities, or go to foodie destinations like Santa Fe, N.M,, Chicago, etc. to see what good service was. If the service is bad at SAVA's I just say, "Welcome to Ann Arbor"!
bruno_uno
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 9:59 a.m.
oh sorry, wrong person, the other business owner under 30 from NYC
A2
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 9:54 a.m.
The food is great but the service is terrible.. we've been a couple of times, hoping that it was just that waitress we went back but on the third time the service was still bad.
psa97531
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 9:43 a.m.
Let's celebrate that a very good restaurant picked up where Zanzibar left off. If you haven't visited Sava's, do so. You'll be glad that you did. (check out the sweet potato fries, yum.)
cathy banish
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 8:59 a.m.
I happen to know Sava did not get any help from her family. Her success is from her own hard work!! Great job Sava!
LAEL
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 8:48 a.m.
@bruno_uno Are you trying to say something factual or just making something up? Should it matter if she got financial support from her family? So what if she did. While many of us aren't so fortunate, there's nothing wrong with someone who does have that support and uses it to start a thriving business that employs people and supports the local economy.
bruno_uno
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 8:19 a.m.
its another amazing younger person self made entrepreneur from NYC that makes a go at a business in Ann Arbor....funny how they never admit to the mommy/daddy connection in providing some support funds.
Susan Montgomery
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 8:10 a.m.
Sava is the owner's first name...
Elaine F. Owsley
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 7:59 a.m.
Doesn't it get confused with Seva's on Liberty? Does SAVA mean something in another language?