I'm a craft beer guy, so I would love to see another brewery here. This building would be a perfect place. I'm disappointed the deal didn't work out.

I too am disappointed, maybe someone else will jump in with the same idea :O)

When my mother-in-law was alive and my kids were 8-12 years old, we would take inflatables and float down the creek from the Leroy Street bridge to Bush Park. If you wanted to you could go all the way to Lake Ponema. This was fun! She always thought a canoe livery would be cool there. It would only be seasonal though. I like the brewery idea too.

It would make a beautiful performance space or gallery.

Let's open it up to more prospective tenants and see who is interested.

A seafood place a la Kruse & Muer sounds like a nice fit. Or maybe something like the Union Woodshop, in Clarkston.

World Class Brewer Bill Wamby of Holly....' National Brewmaster of the year '08'... might be looking for a space since the Redwood lost him.

A unique brewpub would still be the answer for me. I think is just different enough for the area and done right would be a huge draw.

I'd love to see Northern United Beverage Co (makers of North Peak, Jolly Pumpkin, and Civilized Spirits) do something here in Fenton like they did in Ann Arbor with Blue Tractor Restaurant or Grizzly Peak.

The incentives offered with the project are pretty good. Hopefully someone will jump on it soon.

I second the Union Woodshop. All in favor!? :-)

Elk Rapids-based Short's Brewing Co. is moving some of their operations to Wixom, granted it's only administrative offices and merchandising warehouse....but hey, a beer guy can dream right!?

There are some interesting ideas here, but remember it took the DDA several years to get ONE restaurant to step forward and make the commitment to do business in that building. It's historic and has a great location, but it's a very tough set-up for a restaurant.

First item: two elevators are needed, one for customers and one for workers. There's $300,000.

Second item: limited parking. That's always a struggle. And it's just the start.

We'd all like to see a cool business or restaurant in that spot, but food places can't borrow ANY money right now, and none are so strong that they've got a pile of cash ready to risk.

Mark Rummel, Mancino's of Fenton

I think they had 3 maybe 4 restaurants interested.

It's unfortunate for Crust that they didn't get this location when they originally asked for it. I think it would have been more visible.

How about an antique shop with an ice cream shop?

The Michigan Firefighter Museum.

Make it a place to honor those who have died while in the line of duty, among other aspects. Making it a hands on musuem -- to teach kids about fire safety and whatnot -- wouldn't hurt either.

But food and beer also make good choices.

Something like what they're doing in Chelsea at a store called Back To The Roots would be cool. Fair-trade retail with a purpose, hand-rolled sushi, specialty manual-brew coffee, latte art, and excellent entrees. Sourced local. Fair-trade, organic, etc...

http://www.backtotheroots.org also on Facebook

I don't know about that particular building but I think that a Trader Joe's would do well in Fenton. Or a hometown delicious restaurant; something different than Applebee's.

The Union Woodshop for sure. Spread the love and catch some of that Clarkston gold!

I agree with Murph. Union Woodshop would bring a great deal of interest and people downtown! Such and awesome menu and cool hang out joint.