17684 US Highway 12
New Buffalo, MI 49117
Ghost Isle Brewery · Retail Property For Sale

Owners Retiring! In the very heart of popular New Buffalo, Michigan, Ghost Isle Brewery overlooks the stunning 156-acre protected Galien River nature preserve, providing guests with spectacular and panoramic four-season views. Spacious glass doors span the length of the indoor dining room, bar and adjoining covered patio. Seating for approximately 208 with additional outdoor seating of 92. In spring, summer and fall the opened doors provide enjoyable and memorable open-air dining experiences. Indoor and outdoor entertainment stages, a binocular wetlands viewer and a second patio bar add to the fun vibe at Ghost Isle. Newly built and opened in 2019 with a coveted Brewpub license and seating for 208, Ghost Isle’s inviting indoor/outdoor dining atmosphere, full bar/full food menu and onsite brewery have made the location a must-visit destination every year for the thousands of visitors to New Buffalo and Harbor Country, also known as “The Hamptons of the Midwest.” Ghost Isle, situated along US-12 and within 4 minutes from I-94 in New Buffalo, Michigan, offers a restaurant owner a unique and highly desired blend of strategic visibility, seasonal traffic surges, and long-term value appreciation. Lake Michigan’s shoreline activities, country farms and markets, bicycling, wineries, shopping and many events and festivals highlight this popular area, ensuring steady exposure and built-in customer flow. From Memorial Day through early fall, the local population can swell from under 2,000 to upwards of 20,000+. As featured in Bon Appétit Magazine, New Buffalo is one of the Midwest’s most desirable lakeside and country destinations. US Highway 12 serves as the main commercial artery into the city of New Buffalo, and the adjacent Red Arrow Highway leads north to the many other Harbor Country communities—with both serving as high-traffic corridors for both Chicagoland weekend travelers and seasonal tourists from around the region.
Commercial properties along these stretches benefit from capturing both vehicular traffic and proximity to walkable downtown amenities, marinas, and lodging. Visibility from the highway increases brand presence and foot traffic, making it ideal for dine-in restaurants, cafés, breweries, or even quick-service concepts with outdoor space. A newly developed New Buffalo/Harbor Country bike trail will eventually link cities from Illinois and Indiana into Michigan’s cities, starting at the state border in New Buffalo. The nearby Four Winds Casino Resort, popular beach access points, and a growing short-term rental market create strong demand for diverse dining options. Investors also gain from relatively low commercial property taxes compared to metro areas, while the area's increasing popularity supports healthy year-over-year appreciation and the potential for value-added improvements like outdoor venues, event space, or multi-use expansions.