DETROIT, Feb. 6, 2014 – According to a news release BarFly Ventures announced plans to purchase and transform the historic Midtown building at 4265 Woodward Avenue in Detroit into HopCat – Detroit, Michigan’s largest beer bar.
This $3.3 million investment will bring more than 100 jobs to Midtown and new life to a building that has been vacant since 2006. HopCat – Detroit will feature 130 taps, with an emphasis on Michigan craft beers along with some of the best selections of beers from around the world. As with the award-winning HopCat – Grand Rapids and the recently opened HopCat – East Lansing, HopCat – Detroit will feature a full menu, including HopCat’s acclaimed Crack Fries, and a full bar with liquor and wine selections.
“Detroit has a rich brewing heritage and a vibrant community of breweries and brewpubs,” said Mark Sellers, a Michigan native who founded HopCat in Grand Rapids in 2008. “This location puts the state’s largest selection of draft beer within blocks of Wayne State University, TechTown and the future home of the Detroit Red Wings. We also are thrilled to be next door to a stop on the M-1 Rail streetcar line, which will be a vital connector for our customers and our team members.”
This third and largest HopCat location will include an outdoor beer garden and a live music venue on the second floor. The venue will play host to a variety of rock, jazz, bluegrass and soul artists, reflecting Detroit’s great musical heritage. Birmingham-based McIntosh Poris Associates is the project architect with Wolverine Construction of Grand Rapids serving as general contractor.
BarFly Ventures is purchasing the property from the Michigan Land Bank with facilitation assistance from Midtown Detroit Inc., a non-profit organization promoting economic development and opportunities in the city. Construction is expected to begin once city zoning approval and several important incentives are secured to help make the rehabilitation of the building financially feasible. BarFly is in the process of securing a transfer of brownfield tax credits previously awarded to the property, a façade improvement grant and an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act (OPRA) tax exemption.
“We are happy to welcome HopCat to the community as an exciting new choice for dining and entertainment,” said Susan Mosey, president of Midtown Detroit Inc. “HopCat’s reputation as an award-winning beer-lovers’ destination will help make HopCat – Detroit a vibrant addition to the Midtown neighborhood while providing more than 100 new jobs.”
