Business & Tech

Michigan Brewing Company Headquarters Closed, Officials Still Expect Fenton Project to Happen

Fenton DDA Director Michael Burns says he is confident the old Fenton fire hall project will be completed.

The doors at the Michigan Brewing Company headquarters in Webberville have been closed, but a Fenton official said he is still confident the business will move forward with its restaurant and tavern at Fenton's old fire hall.

Michigan Brewing Company was evicted Tuesday after the Webberville building was foreclosed after failing to make loan payments to Zions First National Bank, reported the Lansing State Journal. The article stated Highview Enterprises  bought the property but failed to reach a rental agreement with MBC and its lending company, Highview Holdings.

"We know they have issues and we are working with them on their issues," said Fenton Assistant City Manager and Downtown Development Director Michael Burns. "We are still looking at a successful completion of the project."

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Michigan Brewing Company President Bobby Mason said Wednesday morning he will be meeting with Burns and Fenton officials on Thursday and are ready to move forward with plans. He said that they will have a more active timeline for the old fire hall on Friday.

Mason and Burns declined to comment further.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

The in Webberville had been listed for sale, but the link now states that the industrial property is off the market.The property, located at 1093 Highway Drive, near I-96 and M-52 was listed for $1.65 million. The 76,000 square foot warehouse and light manufacturing facility houses a brewery, restaurant and homebrew store. Mason said in March plans were to sell the building and then lease it back from the landlord as part of restructuring the business and that the changes would not affect the plans for the Fenton location.

"A lot of businesses do it and it's all for the better," Mason said.

Mason opened the in 1995 with a 30-barrel brewing system, which has now expanded. The company moved to the current facility in 2006 after located in the same area.

In March, General manager/brewer Bill Tadrick said construction on the would begin on May 1 and had been delayed as they waited on architect's plans. He said his builders, Bren-Mar Construction of Fenton, told him construction would take 12 to 16 weeks and he hopes to have the restaurant and tavern open in August.

The deal included a timeline that construction was required to be completed by June 30. Burns said that’s likely something that will have to be pushed back.

"I'm confident there will be a successful completion," Burns said.

UPDATE: The Fenton DDA .


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here