Rudy’s Market has been a beloved fixture in the Clarkston, MI community since 1933. Founded by Rudy Schwarz, the market has experienced several transformations, including relocations and fires, before settling at its current location at 9 South Main Street. In 1989, the market was acquired by Robert Esshaki and Chris Thomas, who have expanded its offerings while retaining its charm and iconic name. Now, this cherished institution is evolving into Rudy's Prime Steakhouse, bringing a new level of dining to the community with prime cuts of steak and an extensive wine and liquor list.
In 2020, the vision grew bolder. With the acquisition of the neighboring building, plans were unveiled to expand Rudy’s into a multi-restaurant destination, beginning with Rudy’s Prime. Nolan Creative Co. was tapped to bring this ambitious brand vision to life, leading the charge for the visual identity system, menus, marketing and more, with collaboration from Alex Saroki of
Rudy's Prime will feature a menu of exquisite prime cuts and refined dishes, all crafted to perfection. Our mission is to deliver a timeless, sexy, and masterful dining experience that honors our storied past while embracing the future. This blend of modern elegance and historic charm ensures that every dining experience is memorable and satisfying.
Our culinary offerings are designed to reflect the high standards set by Rudy's Market, with a focus on quality, freshness, and culinary expertise. The dining experience at Rudy's Prime will be characterized by unmatched hospitality and a commitment to making every guest feel valued and appreciated.
By extending the core values of Rudy's Market—such as a passion for food, a commitment to community, and a focus on making people happy—Rudy's Prime aims to become the go-to destination for those seeking a premier dining experience in Clarkston.
Throughout the creative process it became clear that Rudy’s is a vital part of the Village of Clarkston community. We aimed to honor its history while creating a sexy, modern look.
"Rudy’s Prime will be Timeless, Sexy, and a Masterpiece."
— Robert Esshaki
While going through multiple variations of the creative direction, it we started to come back to how important its history was and wanted to find a way to honor the past. This led us to incorporate the building’s historic architecture as a central element in the logo.
This led us to incorporate the building’s historic architecture as a central element in the logo. The logo itself is a direct reflection of the heritage and history resembling exterior facade, encompassing “Rudy’s Prime”.
To extend this visual identity a variety of iterations to use in both large and small scale formats accompany to make the system scalable and versatile.
From the moment the new brand launched, we knew we were moving in the right direction. The feedback on social media was overwhelmingly positive, with comments praising everything from the fresh visual identity to the seamless blend of old and new.
"Love, love this!!!"
"It is perfect...combines the old with the new"
"Love it! Modern take on a recognizable vintage facade!"
"Ummm looks so good"
"Very Classy!"
The strong engagement reinforced our belief that the brand resonated deeply with the community, solidifying our confidence in this new direction.
We explored various color schemes to capture the brand's essence, including bold, vibrant tones for a dynamic appeal and the classic “gold” look often associated with steakhouses. Ultimately, we chose a sleek black-and-white palette, complemented by an off-white “cement” shade. This combination is timeless, sexy, and ensures a stylish, enduring look.
As construction progresses, our partnership will dive deep into shaping every touchpoint of the brand. Together, we’ll craft everything from wayfinding signage and menus to business cards, website, and more. No detail will go overlooked as we work to ensure a cohesive brand experience that brings the vision of Rudy’s Prime Steakhouse to life. We invite you to follow our journey and be among the first to experience Clarkston's newest dining destination.
