USA, MI: Guardian Brewing Co. to close in Saugatuck

Guardian Brewing Co. will say goodbye to Saugatuck's famous Red Barn in the coming months, The Holland Sentinel reported.

Kim Collins and her partner, Kate Bishop, made big changes to the historic building, once a community theater, in 2018, converting the property to a restaurant, brewery and event center.

But "after many long, hard conversations," the duo has decided to relocate to Ohio.

"We have to say goodbye to Guardian Brewing as we know it and re-invent ourselves elsewhere," the couple wrote on social media last week. "For five years, we have shared our beer and our hearts with you all, and letting go will be very difficult. We made it through the trials of opening a business, a global pandemic, and years of road construction; yet, none of these are why we are moving on.

"Recently, we've had another parent navigate through cancer. This one really shook us. After multiple trips to Ohio these last three months, it has become clear that family is our number one priority above all else. In order to care for them better, we will be moving our aging parents in with us in another location."

Collins and Bishop looked at 100 different properties for their business in 2017, from New Buffalo to Muskegon. They kept coming back to Saugatuck.

"When we were choosing places for the brewery, we were also choosing a community that loved itself and its neighbors, and wanted to have that connection," Collins told The Sentinel in 2018.

The Red Barn was built in 1912, across the street from what's today known as the Belvedere Inn and Restaurant. At first a horse barn, it was converted into a community theater in 1948. In 1990, after several ownership changes and business alterations, it became difficult to keep the ever-expanding theater in good repair. Between 1992 and 1993, the building went dark. No shows were produced or events hosted.

In 2005, a 6,000-square-foot pole barn was added to the property — where Guardian placed its kitchen, office space and brewery. Where a breezeway once separated the pole barn from the theater, a new building became home to Guardian’s seating space and bar.

According to reporting from Crain's Grand Rapids, the property has been listed for $1.25 million.

"We have grown to love Michigan and the people in it," the couple wrote. "That was a large reason for moving here in the first place. However, we have limited time with those we truly love and we are the only ones now that can help them.

"There is so much to say and explain, but that's the gist of it. We wanted to tell you in an honest and heartfelt way, because it's difficult to convey how we truly feel in just written words."

The business will continue "as usual" until the property sells, or until March. The couple hopes to open a "Guardian 2.0" in the future, according to Crain's.

"We just want to let all the dust settle," Collins told the outlet.

24 October, 2023