Woodward Corners is open for business — at least partially.

A Wahlburgers restaurant will open at 11 a.m. Thursday, becoming the first tenant open for business at the new shopping center at Woodward Avenue and 13 Mile in Royal Oak, adjacent to Beaumont Hospital.

Wahlburgers franchisee Antonino (Nino) Cutraro of West Bloomfield said he is excited about this location for several reasons, but especially the location. Cutraro is the Midwest franchise owner.

“Look outside … it’s the view, it’s the traffic,” Cutraro said. “It’s the 4,000 working at the hospital (Beaumont Royal Oak).”

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Cutraro also said he's happy to be open ahead of the upcoming Dream Cruise.

Woodward Corners by Beaumont has been under development for several years, replacing the old Northwood Shopping Center. The original plans called for the center to be completed by the end of last year. That date has since been extended but officials of Beaumont Health, which owns the development, declined earlier this year to give a new completion date.

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The 5,100-square-foot Wahlburgers is open and airy with high ceilings, dining and bar areas, and outdoor patio. On the south and north sides as well as at the front facing Woodward Avenue are all windows.

“It’s going to be one of the best corners in Oakland County,” Cutraro said.

Cutraro is also excited because of its proximity to Bella Piatti in Birmingham, the Italian restaurant he and his wife, Liz, own.

The Royal Oak Wahlburgers is the first Michigan location to give several nods to the city. On one wall is a giant picture/poster of brothers Mark, Donnie and chef Paul Wahlberg, the founders of Boston-based Wahlburgers, and the words “Hello Royal Oak,” over an aerial view of downtown Royal Oak.

“This poster is unique for this location,” Cutraro said. “You can see downtown Royal Oak. Wahlburger want to be associated with the city, with the families. We want to celebrate and thank the city.”

Another large wall covering features the brothers and their mother, Alma, and another welcoming “Hello Royal Oak.” Near the kitchen area, Royal Oak is lettered above the counter.

This new location will seat more than 170 and employee about 100 workers, in part- and full-time capacities.

While not the largest in terms of square footage, that belongs to the Taylor location Cutraro said, the Royal Oak location's outdoor patio is, with 66 seats. Framed posters of Mark Wahlberg movies and Donnie Wahlberg's CBS TV show "Blue Bloods" are peppered throughout the restaurant.

The full bar will feature 16 different draft beers. Another nod to Royal Oak and highlights of the bar is a find by Cutraro. It’s the original Curtraro said, all brass, draft system from the former Four Green Fields Irish Pub that closed in 2011. It will have its place behind the bar as a showpiece.

Burgers, of course, are the highlight. On the menu are favorites of the brothers according to the news release.

Donnie's choice: BBQ Bacon Burger, described as a "spiced-up weekend barbecue on a bun," topped with white cheddar cheese, bacon, avocado, fresh jalapeños and barbecue sauce

Mark's choice: Thanksgiving Day, "like Thanksgiving leftovers on a bun," made with fresh ground seasoned turkey, stuffing, Paul's house made orange-cranberry sauce, roasted butternut squash and mayo.

Paul's choice: Wahlburger's signature Our Burger with lettuce, tomato, onion, government cheese, Paul’s signature Wahl sauce and pickles “just like Dad used to grill in the backyard.”

Cutraro touts Wahlburgers as a family-centric restaurant with a bar with plenty of menu options. There’s a kid’s menu. It also offers salads, chicken sandwiches and even Sloppy Joes. Wahlburgers menu also includes the popular, plant-based Impossible burger.

This is Wahlburgers No. 4 for Cutraro. A Wahlburgers location recently opened in Flint. A Taylor Wahlburgers opened in 2018 and the Greektown one opened in 2016. Wahlburgers outposts also opened this season in Ford Field at the north and south club levels.

Actor brothers Mark and Donnie Wahlberg and along with their chef brother Paul, founded the Boston-based Wahlburgers chain.

"We have fallen in love with Michigan and its people as they have been so welcoming to our family. We are truly looking forward to bringing our fourth location to the state as we open our doors in Royal Oak” said Mark Wahlberg in a statement.

Later this month, a grand opening will take place to benefit Children's Miracle Network at Beaumont.

Wahlburgers Royal Oak is located at 30955 Woodward Ave. Hours are 11-11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday.

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Contact food writer Susan Selasky: 313-222-6872 or sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter.