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Brewery for Sale within 50 kilometers of Sawyer, MI, USA

More details for 17684 US Highway 12, New Buffalo, MI - Retail for Sale

Ghost Isle Brewery - 17684 US Highway 12

New Buffalo, MI 49117

  • Brewery
  • Retail for Sale
  • $5,491,919 CAD
  • 5,622 SF

New Buffalo Retail 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.

Contact:

NAI Wisinski of West Michigan

Date on Market:

2025-08-25

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Breweries For Sale

Breweries

What is a brewery?

Breweries are businesses that manufacture beer and sell it to the public or other businesses. Breweries employ people whose jobs are involved in virtually every aspect of the business, including brewing beer and other beverages as well as selling products to distributors or directly to customers. A number of breweries also have tasting rooms where customers can try beers on tap that are available nowhere else.

What is a brewpub?

A brewpub is a type of brewery that also serves food for on-site consumption, although many brewpubs now have off-premise licenses as well. A brewpub differs from a tavern in that all of its beer is brewed on the premises, instead of simply acquiring it from an off-site source.

What is a microbrewery?

A microbrewery or craft brewery is usually an independently owned and operated company that produces small batches of beer using traditional ingredients like malted barley; other breweries may use adjuncts such as corn or rice. The term "microbrewery" was coined by the New York Times in June 1985, in an article about Siebel Institute of Technology's graduate program in brewing technology.

The distinction between a brewery and a microbrewery is somewhat ambiguous, however, since there are no clear definitions for either. In addition, different classifications of microbreweries exist, depending on the national brewing standards that are used.

What is a tap room in a microbrewery?

A tap room is an area that houses beer to be served on-premise at a brewery. At brewpubs the term may refer to a location where people gather to drink beer, eat meals and listen to music or watch sports events on television. Tap rooms are places where customers can taste various beers that the brewery makes to determine whether they want to buy a full glass of it. They may also be able to purchase additional bottles or growlers for consumption off-site, depending on the laws of their state.

Are breweries popular for investors, should I buy a brewery?

Despite the fact that many breweries are small businesses with sales below $1 million, they have achieved amazing popularity as an investment opportunity. Many investors in breweries are avid beer enthusiasts, but others see the investment as a way to earn strong returns on their money in an era of low interest rates.

Breweries can require significant investments with many businesses spending a large sum per year in rent, equipment and other business-related expenses. Because most breweries are open only a limited number of hours each week or month, it can take a longer to recoup costs and earn a profit. Many breweries therefore require investment from investors who have little to no interest in the day-to-day operations, but simply want to invest money while having some of it managed by others with experience in the industry.

Why should I start a brewery?

While the business of brewing beer may not be right for everyone, you'll learn to appreciate why brewers are passionate about making superior beers when you're involved in it as a business. You can take pride in knowing that you produced something that people enjoy and benefit from.

Because the industry is so competitive, you'll also need to have a true passion for beer if you want to succeed with your brewery. You need to consider carefully why you want to start a brewery, and whether or not that is the best decision for you. It takes dedication and hard work to launch a new business, especially one as complex as a brewery.

How do I get started?

The first step in opening a brewery is finding a suitable location. The main factor in starting a brewery is location, and. It's more than just getting a "deal." Look for an old brewery - or some other established building in close proximity to your target market. You don't have to spend a large sum of money on renovations if you can find one that's been renovated already or has up to date infrastructure.

In summary, there are many steps involved in starting a brewery. They include:

  1. Find the right location and secure funding for your business.
  2. Get the business plan ready and start negotiating with suppliers or distributors of brewing materials.
  3. Get the required licenses and permits in order.
  4. Build or renovate your brewery.
  5. Train staff for the brewery and purchase inventory and equipment.
  6. Test market your brand to consumers.
  7. Start selling beer!

Looking to lease a Brewery? View Breweries for lease