Brewery in Corktown Neighborhood?

**7 & Van Dyke** · August-03-11, 11:55 AM

I'm a former Detroiter living in Philadelphia and in the planning stages of opening a small brewery and was looking at the Corktown area, Philadelphia, and DC to open up shop. I just wanted to see how much interest there would be for a small, local brewery. When I left Michigan 7 years ago, Detroit only had 3 breweries? Motor City, Detroit Beer Co., and Stoney Creek [[Atwater). I think Detroit could sustain far more breweries than that. Let me know what you think.

**Detroitnerd** · August-03-11, 12:00 PM

Check out how many there are now.

http://www.uncleheavy.com/MBGAnnex/default.asp

**7 & Van Dyke** · August-03-11, 12:02 PM

I know the state and surrounding suburbs have a lot but the city of Detroit still only has 3.

**jsmyers** · August-03-11, 12:09 PM

I think it is probably a good idea.

I would start by communicating with possible large customers in the area, the bars and restaurants in Corktown. These sites might be a good starting point:

http://corktownhistoric.org/
http://corktownconnection.org/

The development and feature archives of ModelDMedia might also be a good resource.

This group may help with both networking and support:

http://www.opencitydetroit.com/

**DetroitHabitater** · August-03-11, 12:10 PM

Come open up in corktown. The more the merrier. Build something sweet on the former Carhartt lot!

http://corktownhistory.blogspot.com/.../carhartt.html

**7 & Van Dyke** · August-03-11, 12:11 PM

Thanks for the tips. It would be a big move back so I'm trying to garner as much info as possible while I'm still putting together the business plan.

**Pcm** · August-03-11, 12:11 PM

I'm convinced that if you make a good beer and have a good atmosphere, your brewery will be supported. Especially with the momentum that the craft beer scene has enjoyed within the past handful of years.

Out of curiosity, why Corktown? Have you considered the neighborhood around Cass and Canfield? There's Motor City and Traffic Jam right there. Would be cool to have a cluster if brew pubs.

**Melocoton** · August-03-11, 12:17 PM

I agree that a brewery with a bar would be supported in the area.

**7 & Van Dyke** · August-03-11, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by Pcm

I'm convinced that if you make a good beer and have a good atmosphere, your brewery will be supported. Especially with the momentum that the craft beer scene has enjoyed within the past handful of years.

Out of curiosity, why Corktown? Have you considered the neighborhood around Cass and Canfield? There's Motor City and Traffic Jam right there. Would be cool to have a cluster if brew pubs.

I've always enjoyed the time I spent in Corktown and pretty much grew up there go to Tigers games as a kid, concerts at the Lager House and eating in nearby Dearborn and Mexican Village. I also love the architecture and houses in the area. My wife work in architecture and design and would love to own an old house there. One of my big goals would be to live near the brewery because I want to be part of the community and be able to ride my bike and walk to work. I have considered the area around Wayne State also. I did go to school there for a while and went to see shows at the bars around there. Spent a lot of time at the Magic Stick and Majestic theater area.

**Detroitnerd** · August-03-11, 12:20 PM

Well, those are the ones that are guild members. Traffic Jam's Snug is a brewpub, but it's not on the list.

A word of very serious caution: Everybody here knows I love living and working in Detroit, but there are some reasons why there are only a handful of MB/BP locations in Detroit. Licensing, inspections, red tape. High taxes. Long waits. Lots of visits to City Hall. It can be daunting to navigate. There are some angels who can offer help, notably those who've done it before. But you also have to watch out for the vultures. [[Be very careful if anybody here wants to "help" or "partner" with you.) In any event, you should probably be prepared for a startup period of at least two years, IMHO.

**7 & Van Dyke** · August-03-11, 12:25 PM

Thanks for the tips Detroitnerd. I assumed there would be a lot of red tape and annoying licensing issues. Philadelphia is the same way. You have to get a permit just to fix up a kitchen in your house or put a fence up in your yard. It would be at least two years before all the plans will be figured out.

**preserve** · August-03-11, 12:37 PM

There are two buildings at Michigan Ave. and Rosa Parks that would possibly work, one was the United Shirt outlet and the other building has a great upstairs that would make an interesting pub. Also, right now there are a couple of older homes for sale right in that area. Come on down, look around.

**7 & Van Dyke** · August-03-11, 12:43 PM

Does anyone know a good real estate person for commercial real estate in the area? I'm having a hard time finding listings for commercial spaces online. Thanks

**DetroitHabitater** · August-03-11, 01:07 PM

http://www.oconnordetroit.com/

would have a good pulse on the neighborhood

**jsmyers** · August-03-11, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by 7 & Van Dyke

Does anyone know a good real estate person for commercial real estate in the area? I'm having a hard time finding listings for commercial spaces online. Thanks

This is not an endorsement, but I've read the name a lot in the news:

http://www.oconnordetroit.com/

**kryptonite** · August-03-11, 01:29 PM

Wow, your plan sounds exciting. Brew pubs are pretty popular these days.

Corktown seems to be on the move - a lot of businesses are opening or in the works along Michigan Ave. Fort Street was repaved in recent years and probably could use some excitement. Trumbull could use a new hangout.

I have some friends that enjoy micro brew beer, I would love to bring them to visit a new place like yours. Please keep D-yes updated from time to time.

Also, does anyone know if the casinos or hotels feature any local Detroit area micro beers? If not maybe that's a possible niche for our local brewers. Micro beers are popular around the country, people love trying the local offerings when they can be found.

**ResurgetCineribus** · August-03-11, 01:32 PM

I'm surprised that Corktown lacks a brewery. Especially with the number of bars along Michigan Ave. I suppose you would be competing with them, but a brewery would definitely control the niche demographic in the area. It's something I've found myself contemplating as, like every star-eyed homebrewer, I've thought of places to open my own brewery. Slows may be constantly praised for its barbeque, but I'm also impressed by how well they do with craft beer.

**DetroitPlanner** · August-03-11, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by DetroitHabitater

Come open up in corktown. The more the merrier. Build something sweet on the former Carhartt lot!

http://corktownhistory.blogspot.com/.../carhartt.html

Thank you for teaching me something today DetroitHabitater!

**adamjab19** · August-03-11, 02:11 PM

Hey if you are looking for an assistant brewer I would love to help!

As stated above if you have a decent product people will come. When you come back to visit you'll notice that most restaurants in the area are not large affairs. Most are modest and I think that is what helps them along through some of the thin times.

Do you brew now or is this just a business venture for you?

**7 & Van Dyke** · August-03-11, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by adamjab19

Hey if you are looking for an assistant brewer I would love to help!

As stated above if you have a decent product people will come. When you come back to visit you'll notice that most restaurants in the area are not large affairs. Most are modest and I think that is what helps them along through some of the thin times.

Do you brew now or is this just a business venture for you?

I have been homebrewing for about a decade. I have worked a few times in breweries to gain experience on larger set ups. I really hate my job now and this is pretty much what I spend my time doing when I'm not at work. I'm a certified BJCP beer judge also. It will be a business [[ad)venture. It would only be about 3 bbl set up so I don't need a ton of space. Maybe 5-8,000 sq. feet.

**adamjab19** · August-03-11, 02:26 PM

Very cool! I am a home brewer as well.

I was going to say something like a 3-5bbl system would be perfect. Best of luck to you and keep us updated!

**socks_mahoney** · August-03-11, 06:11 PM

Dan, is that you?

**professorscott** · August-03-11, 11:44 PM

7 & Van Dyke,

Definitely talk to the Corktown Citizens District Council, they have a web site, www.corktowndetroit.org. They have lots of information that is helpful to anyone considering opening up a business. I think it is a great area for some additional development, lots of rehabbed housing in the area, near Mexicantown of course, and a short hop from downtown.

Brew me up a wicked-ass IPA and I will be your friend. The more hops the merrier. You can't overhop an IPA as far as I'm concerned. I'll even grow the hops for you if you like; I have acreage in St. Clair County and hops grow like dandelions. Let me know what type you want and I'll order up the rhizomes.

Cheers,
Prof. Scott

**7 & Van Dyke** · August-04-11, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by professorscott

7 & Van Dyke,

Definitely talk to the Corktown Citizens District Council, they have a web site, www.corktowndetroit.org. They have lots of information that is helpful to anyone considering opening up a business. I think it is a great area for some additional development, lots of rehabbed housing in the area, near Mexicantown of course, and a short hop from downtown.

Brew me up a wicked-ass IPA and I will be your friend. The more hops the merrier. You can't overhop an IPA as far as I'm concerned. I'll even grow the hops for you if you like; I have acreage in St. Clair County and hops grow like dandelions. Let me know what type you want and I'll order up the rhizomes.

Cheers,
Prof. Scott

Professorscott

I make a killer Rye IPA that would satisfy any hop head. That would be a year round offering. I enjoy malty beers over hops but I could drink my Rye IPA all day. Thanks for the offering of growing hops. I'm going to be making the Rye IPA with wet hops this fall so a good crop of fresh hops.

I will definitely be checking with the Corktown Citizens council. I have 7 weeks off in October and November for the birth of my child and I am going to complete my business plan at that time. I really appreciate all the good feedback I am getting and all the help people have given me in pointing me towards the right people to talk to in the neighborhood. I miss the generosity of the Detroiters.

@ Socks. This isn't Dan. I'm Bryan

**7 & Van Dyke** · August-04-11, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by 7 & Van Dyke

Professorscott

I make a killer Rye IPA that would satisfy any hop head. That would be a year round offering. I enjoy malty beers over hops but I could drink my Rye IPA all day. Thanks for the offering of growing hops. I'm going to be making the Rye IPA with wet hops this fall so a good crop of fresh hops.

I will definitely be checking with the Corktown Citizens council. I have 7 weeks off in October and November for the birth of my child and I am going to complete my business plan at that time. I really appreciate all the good feedback I am getting and all the help people have given me in pointing me towards the right people to talk to in the neighborhood. I miss the generosity of the Detroiters.

@ Socks. This isn't Dan. I'm Bryan

Professor,
Not sure what is going on with that link but it goes to web ads, not the Corktown Council.