ST. JOHNS — A long-time employee who worked at the last two restaurants operating out of a 130-year-old former bank building in the city’s downtown will open his own at the property later this month.
Justin Hill, 30, and his wife Zoe Foster, will open Hills Corner Pub at 200 N. Clinton Ave. on Feb. 23. The new restaurant will open two months after The Heist Grille closed its doors at the property less than two years after opening.
Hill worked as a manager there, and before that at St. Johns Brewing Co., which was open for more than three years after launching in the historic building in December 2020. The Heist Grille opened shortly after, closing in December 2025.
Hill and Foster have never opened their own business but between them they have two decades of experience in the restaurant industry.
The goal, Hill said, is to build Hills Corner Pub’s success around the community by being an active part of it.
“We want there to be a strong sense of community with this place so we’ve got some ideas for kind of making it feel like home when you arrive,” he said.
A community focus
Hills Corner Pub will have a community-focused sports bar feel, Hill said. The space will be decorated in sports memorabilia and include a pool table and dart boards. It will also host live music, he said.
“We really want to make this place stand out and have people there as much as we can,” Hill said. “We’re going to be open late for big football games and basketball games and whatever people really, really want to watch.”
The restaurant’s bar will offer nearly two dozen beers on draft including craft beer options. The menu will include smashburgers, veggie burgers, salads, chicken wings and southwest egg rolls.
“We’ll have all kinds of delicious appetizers and things like that,” Hill said.
A smoked turkey Reuben sandwich that was popular on The Heist Grille’s menu will be offered as well.
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The former Heist Grille’s owners are mentoring Hill and Foster as they navigate opening the new restaurant, Hill said.
“Because even though we do have about 20 years of experience in the industry we are brand new to owning a place and we know that it’s going to be very different,” he said.
Hill said they aim to hire a handful of employees to start. Both he and Foster will be actively working on site after Hills Corner Pub opens, he said.
Follow the restaurant’s Facebook page at “Hills Corner Pub.”
Contact Reporter Rachel Greco at rgreco@lsj.com. Follow her on X @GrecoatLSJ.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: New restaurant to open in historic former bank building in St. Johns
Reporting by Rachel Greco, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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