Where to Eat, Drink, and Shop in Linden and Fenton

The villages of Linden and Fenton, MI, sit minutes from the model home at 5483 Championship Drive, and both are worth getting to know before you choose a community. This guide covers the local businesses, restaurants, and bars that make the area feel like home, plus the recent grand openings that have reshaped the dining and recreation scene around Fairways of Spring Meadows in 2026.

The Big News: A Trail Now Connects Linden to Fenton

The most talked-about change near the community is not a restaurant at all. The ChoiceOne Bank Trail, a roughly two-mile non-motorized path along the north shore of Silver Lake, now connects Fenton at Jennings Road to Linden at East Broad Street and Triangle Park. The trail opened for use during summer 2026, and an official ribbon cutting is planned for Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 10:00 AM at the corner of Silver Lake Road and Jennings Road in Fenton, per MLive and The Tri-County Times. For residents of Fairways of Spring Meadows, that means a safe, scenic route for an evening walk, a morning bike ride, or a run into either downtown on the Silver Lake boardwalk.

Recent Grand Openings Worth Knowing

2026 has been a busy year for new places to go. These are the openings that have landed in the past several months, all within a short drive of the model home.

• Kroger's new Fenton store is fully open. The 80,000-square-foot market at 15100 Silver Parkway held its grand opening on January 22, 2026, a roughly $28.5 million investment that created about 120 jobs, per WNEM. It is the closest full-service grocery anchor to the Spring Meadows area and makes everyday shopping genuinely convenient.
• Chipotle opened on Owen Road in Fenton. The new location at 3409 Owen Road welcomed customers beginning May 4, 2026, per Banana 101.5, giving the Owen Road corridor another fast-casual anchor near Barrels & Vines.
• Social House is expanding again in Fenton. In May 2026, the local press reported the bar and eatery would open two new Fenton locations, including one in the former One Eleven space on Leroy Street, per The Lasco Press. Watch for those to bring even more nightlife downtown.
• A new restaurant is coming to West Silver Lake Road. A sign went up in the former space on the Fenton side of Silver Lake Road, with the announcement made around March 2026 and details still under wraps, per The Lasco Press.
• Uncle Ray's Dairyland is back for the season. The longtime Fenton ice cream and burger stop at 1462 N Leroy St reopened for its seasonal run in mid-February 2026 per ABC12, a reliable way to end a warm afternoon near the model home.

Linden's Own Lineup

You do not have to leave the village to find a great meal or a proper pub. These are the Linden spots residents of Fairways of Spring Meadows know best:

Fenton's Upscale Dining Shortlist

Downtown Fenton is where the area's fine-dining scene concentrates. These are the stops that show up on every serious local list for a celebratory dinner:

More Local Businesses to Discover

Beyond the anchor restaurants, a handful of local businesses round out everyday life near the community:

• The Corner Bar & Grill at 4015 Owen Rd, Fenton, is a well-reviewed neighborhood spot on the Owen Road corridor (cbgfenton.com).
• The Tavern Kitchen & Bar at 3600 Owen Rd, Fenton, adds another dining and drinks option close to the retail corridor (thetavernkb.com).
• The Barn Fenton at 715 Torrey Rd, Fenton, brings a bar and restaurant in a converted barn setting (thebarnfenton.com).
• Legends Bar & Grill at 3235 W Thompson Rd, Fenton, is a go-to for a relaxed meal and a game (legendsoffenton.com).
• Boston's Pizza Restaurant & Sports Bar at 3324 Owen Rd, Fenton, covers the family-friendly chain side of the corridor (bostons.com).
• Mancino's of Fenton at 4019 Owen Rd is the local pick for grinders and pizza (mancinosoffenton.com).

Where to Grab a Drink After the Tour

For a proper night out, Fenton Winery & Brewery and Dream Machine Distillery at 1370 N Long Lake Rd is the standout stop, with 60-plus beers, wines, and spirits, a big taproom, and a 1.25-acre beer garden (per Fenton Brewery). If you prefer a food-hall vibe, RailYard at 234 N Leroy St downtown Fenton combines a beer wall and multiple food stations in one spot (railyardfenton.com). Back in Linden, the Linden Hotel, Linden Brewing Company, and Ye Olde Down the Hatch Pub keep Bridge Street lively after dark.

Plan a Visit Around the Model Home

The easiest way to experience all of this is to tour the Big Sky Development model home at 5483 Championship Drive, then head into Fenton or downtown Linden for lunch or an evening out. With the new trail connecting the two downtowns along Silver Lake, it is simple to make a full day of it.

Fairways of Spring Meadows is a community by Big Sky Development in Linden, Michigan. The model home and sales center is located at 5483 Championship Drive, Linden, MI. Rob Moen, Principal Broker, Keller Williams First, License #6502408709. Pricing, availability, and open house hours subject to change without notice. See builder for complete details. Business hours and menus are subject to change; verify details directly with each establishment.