Content area
Full Text
Unruly Brewing will be the first microbrewery in Muskegon - "unless somebody pops up" first, according to Jeff Jacobson, one of the founders and managing partners.
That's not likely to happen, even though Unruly Brewing won't open until March or early April. But even if other entrepreneurs did start a microbrewery in Muskegon first, it probably wouldn't be in a downtown location as visible to the public.
Unruly will be the anchor at the Muskegon Retail Incubator and is sub-leasing from MRI, a two-year-old, not-for-profit community development organization that is a tenant in the Russell Block Building owned by downtown Muskegon developer Gary Post.
Located at 360 W. Western Ave. where the Muskegon Mall once stood, the building is adjacent to the Century Club building, which in turn is adjacent to the historic Muskegon Savings Bank. Post's company, Port City Construction and Development Services, owns all three of the historic buildings, which were at the core of a vibrant downtown Muskegon when built in the late 19th century.
Terry MacAllister, president of the board of MRI, sees humor in the inadvertent link between a microbrewery and Muskegon's word-of-mouth reputation. The city has long been known for its many major summer events that draw big crowds of celebrants and tourists, from music lovers to motorcycle enthusiasts.
"We've laughed because they call us the Beer Tent Capital of the...