Back in 2016, we built a website for The Owl (originally called the Morning Owl) in Milan. Ryan Wilman, the owner and manager, needed something to represent his unique spot on West Main Street: a place that serves quality coffee.
That website served him well for years. But eight years is a long time in the digital world. The design started to feel dated. The photos didn't reflect what The Owl had become. The SEO wasn't keeping up. And maybe most importantly, Ryan couldn't update anything himself. Every time he wanted to change a menu item or add an event, he had to reach out to us.
It was time for a redesign.
The tricky part wasn't the technical work. It was nailing the vibe.
The Owl isn't a dive bar, but it's not pretentious either. It's a welcoming space with a strong community feel. Ryan wanted people to see quality when they landed on the site, but he didn't want it to feel stuffy or unapproachable. That balance is harder to hit than it sounds.
We landed on a dark layout with bold red accents. The dark background added a layer of elegance and sophistication. The red, which is already The Owl's primary brand color, kept it energetic and inviting. We wove in small design touches throughout: coffee beans, cocktail icons, rounded images that echo the logo. Nothing heavy-handed. Just enough to make it feel intentional and cohesive.
One of Ryan's biggest frustrations with the old site was that he couldn't update it himself. So this time, we built custom admin pages that are simple and intuitive. No WordPress confusion with a thousand options he'll never use. Just the tools he actually needs.
Want to add a new beer to the menu? Update it. New event coming up? Add it. Gallery photos from last weekend? Upload them. Ryan's in control now, and that matters.
We also integrated the site with MilanEvents.org, the community calendar we built for Milan. Now when Ryan creates an event on MilanEvents, it automatically shows up on The Owl's website. One update, two places. No duplicate work.
Ryan loved it. He loved the concept. He loved the gallery. He loved being able to update everything himself. He loved the MilanEvents integration. And he noticed the details, the coffee beans, the cocktail icons, the way the rounded images tie back to the logo.
That's what we're going for. Not just a website that works, but one that feels like it was made specifically for you. Because it was.
We care about every project we take on. That includes going back and updating our own work when it's time. The Owl in 2024 isn't the same as the Morning Owl in 2016, and the website needed to reflect that.
See for yourself https://theowlmilan.com
We take the time to understand the brand, the business, and the people behind it. We build beautiful designs that people actually want to interact with. And we position those websites where people are already looking.
If your website doesn't represent who you are anymore, let's talk. Whether we built it or someone else did, we can help.
And if you're in Milan, stop by The Owl at 6 West Main St. Tell Ryan we sent you.
Based in the Ann Arbor, MI area, Dave is the lead designer/developer at PlusCode. He specializes in creating unique solutions to help engage and connect with audiences digially.
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