By: Deborah Johnson Wood
The Meanwhile Bar’s eclectic collection of used furnishings and found items has spilled its way out to a new outdoor beer garden. Salvaged bricks from the historic Anheuser-Busch building at 72 Grandville form the patio floor, in the shape of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, located behind the Meanwhile at 1005 Wealthy SE. Each brick sports the 'Rooster Paver' insignia.
“The bricks have sort of come full circle,” says Tami VandenBerg. “The Michigan connection is that when we opened the bar, we were hopeful that we could push Michigan products, and we continue to have Michigan beers, vodkas, wines and cider. It’s been a huge success.”
Tami and her brother Jeff VandenBerg are co-owners in the bar, which they renovated and opened last fall, furnishing the interior with chairs, tables, and “found” objects from a number of long-gone local restaurants and pubs.
Tami has been growing hops at home, waiting to transplant them and some grape vines into the beer garden’s landscaping as a whimsical nod to the humble beginnings of beer and wine.
The 1,225-square-foot patio seats 49, and will be set up with individual bistro tables as well as long tables for European style seating.
The VandenBergs plan a May 10 beer garden grand opening event from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. featuring local chef Cory DeMint grilling a selection of Michigan asparagus appetizer specialties.
Source: Tami VandenBerg, The Meanwhile Bar (courtesy photo)
Related Articles
Unusual memorabilia is focal point of Uptown pub’s $175K renovation
$175K investment revives popular Uptown gathering spot
Meanwhile Bar boosts East Hills economic growth with 13 new jobs
Deborah Johnson Wood is the development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.