***This article was originally posted on the Battle Creek Enquirer.
Territorial Brewing Company is moving into a bigger space.
The brewery has signed a lease on 1600 Avenue A in Springfield, the former location of Springbrook Italian Bistro and Tap House.
The move gives them more seating capacity, a bigger parking lot and lots of land — 64 acres.
Co-owner Tim Davis said they aren’t quite sure how to use that much property. They've considered mountain bike trails, cross country skiing in the winter and an area to host outdoor weddings, but he said they will continue to brainstorm until they open the new location, which they hope to do by the end of the summer.
“It’s a little overwhelming,” he said. “The sky’s the limit on what we can do with it, though. When we hear an idea, we say, ‘Oh that sounds cool’ and jot it down.”
There is already an 18-hole disc golf course on the property that Davis plans to keep and possibly expand it to 36 holes.
Davis said they also chose the location because it is one of the most beautiful spots in Springfield.
“The view is unreal,” he said. “It’s a place where people are going to look out and really enjoy what they see.”
Davis is hoping another restaurant that sells craft beer will take its place.
“We still have a lot of love for our current spot,” he said. “We’d love for somewhere that sells craft beer to take its place to help make this area a destination for visitors.”
They have a separate facility where they brew their beer, and that location will stay the same for now.
Territorial Brewing is working to settle several licensing issues, and they are still in the process of remodeling the new location, but it could be up and running as soon as Labor Day.
Davis said that they were adamant about staying in Springfield, because most of their support comes from the nearby community.
“Springfield has been such a great community to work with, so we really wanted to stay here,” he said.
Kevin Catlin, Springfield city manager, appreciates that Territorial Brewing chose to stay.
"I know they had plenty of other locations to chose from," he said.
Catlin said that the new location will provide the city with another venue to host events and draw people in from outside of town.
"The city of Springfield is very excited about the events and outdoor activities we're going to be able to host because of this new location," he said.
Davis said the operation and menu will stay the same at the new location, but the bigger space allows them to give their customers more to do.
“We’re really excited with the amount of opportunities we’ll have with the new spot,” he said. “It’s going to be exciting.”
Contact Brooks Hepp at (269) 223-0114 or bhepp@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BrooksHepp.
