Smitty's Specialty Beverage rebuilds, nearly doubles craft beer offerings in Grand Rapids' Eastown

The term "Closed for Remodeling" took on new meaning in September when Smitty's Specialty Beverage locked its doors for the demolition of all but the two front walls of its building. But come about Nov. 11, an all-new Smitty's (1489 Lake Dr. SE) will reopen for business with more than twice the store space within the same footprint.

Founder Joel "Smitty" Smitter, who owns the business with son Jared Smitter, says the previous 900-square-foot store was a retail expansion added in 1920 to the front of an 1890s house. Smitter has owned the building since 1982. The house, which served as storage/office/warehouse space, and all but the two walls along Lake Dr. and Hampton SE, were demolished and replaced with a 2,000-square-foot modern store.

"The house foundation was 3.5 feet above the store floor so we had four steps to go up and down," Smitter says. "Now everything is on one level and we have a monster walk-in beer den cooler for the customer to shop in, which will have 400 craft style beers."

Smitter says the craft beer offerings will include every craft beer made in Michigan, hiking the selection from the previous 250 beers to 400.

Other changes include a nine-door cooler for juices, sodas and dairy products, and moving all the liquor fifths and half-gallons from behind the counter to the sales floor. "(The liquor section) will wrap around the front and west walls," he says. "You'll be amazed at our selection because you could never see it before."

Smitter says he's also going to offer fresh produce, as per customer request. If he can sell enough to break even after six months, he'll continue offering it.

Bamboo flooring, cherry laminate and granite countertops round out the new look. Upstairs, a new two-bedroom, two-bath condominium is under construction, where Smitter will live.

Smitty's will have a grand re-opening celebration in early summer 2012.

Construction manager, design: Pioneer Construction.

Source: Joel "Smitty" Smitter, Smitty's Specialty Beverage
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor