Could Jolly Pumpkin be Opening a Taproom/Restaurant in Grand Rapids?

There have been rumors for the last couple of months that the old Red Lion Restaurant on Bridge Street N.W. (which has been empty for many years) might be yet another new taproom/restaurant in that area.

News reports over the weekend are saying that Northern United Brewing Co. (the parent company of Jolly Pumpkin) has filed preliminary architectural plans with the city to open a taproom and restaurant on Bridge Street.

According to the drawings, it looks like Jolly Pumpkin plans a facility on three parcels on the north side of Bridge Street. That location currently is the home of the vacant Red Lion restaurant and a parking lot. It looks like a small portion of that parking lot would remain for parking. The facility itself could have as many as three dining rooms, an outdoor beer garden and a kitchen.

Jolly Pumpkin's architect on the project, Tom Nemitz of Cornerstone Architects, will meet with the Grand Rapids Engineering Departments' Design Team on Wednesday, January 11th to discuss streetscape plans for the project. If everything gets approved, construction will start in spring of 2017

If Jolly Pumpkin moves forward, they would join other craft breweries in that area including New Holland Brewing Co.’s Knickerbocker Pub, Harmony Brewing Co.’s Harmony Hall, and Atwater Brewing.

Jolly Pumpkin operates taprooms in Ann Arbor, Traverse City and Detroit. Their facility is in Dexter. The parent company, Northern United Brewing Co., also makes Grizzly Peak and North Peak craft beer brands, Nomad Cidery, Civilized Spirits and Bonafide Wines.

To read more about the possible additional location for Jolly Pumpkin, here are articles from www.mibiz.com and www.mlive.com.