The future is bright for The Mitten Brewing Company and the Northport community after the business announced on Tuesday the big news of its long-term lease extension.
“We promise to continue to invest in Leelanau County. To host any and all of the village’s holiday events. To take care of the best damn Christmas tree above the 45th parallel (or anywhere, for that matter.) Above all, we promise to earn the trust you have placed in us,” part of The Mitten’s Facebook announcement stated.
The agreement with Three Rivers Properties is a five year lease with a five year renewal term, said Mitten co-owner Chris Andrus, adding that it’s essentially a 10 year agreement if all goes well, which they expect things to.
“It has been a long and arduous journey to get to this point, but I’m glad we stuck it out and kept pushing for a positive resolution,” Andrus said. “I cannot overstate the role that Jim Dyer (Northport Village manager) played in these negotiations. Without his leadership, I don’t think we would be here today. He really stuck his neck out for us, and we will be forever grateful.”
Earlier this month, the Village of Northport approved two resolutions to resolve an ongoing property line dispute with Karl Wizinsky of Three Rivers Properties. The resolutions helped settle the long-standing disagreement between Wizinsky and the village concerning the width of Park Street in exchange for the right to use, decorate, and maintain the holiday evergreen Christmas tree, as well as to continue displaying the Northport Sign at that end of northbound Waukazoo Street. Both the town Christmas tree and Northport sign are on The Mitten’s premises.
The resolutions ultimately helped eliminate the main roadblocks leading up to The Mitten’s lease renewal with Wizinsky.
In October 2022, Wizinsky left Andrus with an ultimatum, which was to either leave at the end of their current lease term, or commit to a one-year renewal with an unaffordable penalty fee attached, as well as a commitment not to host the village’s holiday events.
At the time, Andrus said they would not accept those terms, as their sole purpose was to do business and serve the community. However, despite the property tensions between Three Rivers and the village, Wizinsky and Andrus agreed to a year extension in Dec. 2022.
Tuesday’s news of a five year agreement secures a more stable future for the beloved business. It was also completed just days before the end of February, when its last extension would have been up.
“We would like to thank: The Village of Northport Council, for mediating the solution and always keeping the best interest of Northport at the forefront,” The Mitten’s Tuesday social media statement continued. “Village Manager Jim Dyer, for his leadership and trust. Our landlord Karl, for his willingness to keep the conversation alive. Our partners at The Big Hot Woody - North End Eatery for keeping the pizza flowing, rain or shine. Our loyal team members, for their patience and understanding. Most of all… YOU. The people of Northport have always made us feel at home here. More than anything, it’s YOU we’ve been fighting for.”
