Karl Glarner, the owner of the Red Salamander in Grand Ledge, has expanded into the banquet and catering business.
In April, Glarner opened the Seven Islands Meeting and Reception Hall. The hall is located in the former church at 902 E. Saginaw Highway. Glarner recently renovated the church and moved the Red Salamander,which is his home brewing business, into the basement.
Glarner plans to develop a brew pub within the remaining space, but until investors regain confidence, he’s going to use the space for the hall.
“A lot of people who were interested and wanted to be a part of the brewery lost 60 percent of their 401ks,” he says. “We’ve had a lot of people who are signed up and want to do it, but they’re waiting for one thing or another to happen first.”
So, until the market improves, Glarner’s going to use the facility for a banquet hall. The hall is located in the former church sanctuary and can seat 150 people for dinner and 300 people for a meeting.
Glarner says the hall is perfect for weddings and other gatherings.
“Every other dollar will go toward improvements,” he says. “That means eventually we’ll need fewer investors in the brew pub.”
Source: Karl Glarner, Red Salamander
Ivy Hughes is the managing editor of Capital Gains and can be reached here.
All Photographs © Dave Trumpie
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