KALAMAZOO, MI — A taco, tequila and whiskey bar/restaurant has its sights on opening in downtown Kalamazoo prior to the end of the year.
Barrio Tacos + Tequila + Whiskey expects to open on the main floor of the former Charter One Bank building at 215 E. Michigan Ave. sometime in the final quarter of 2023, the property owner, Treystar, announced.
The space has been vacant since 2011.
The Cleveland-based franchise moving in has Michigan locations in East Lansing, Traverse City and Grand Rapids, with the latter opening in 2022. Kalamazoo will be the 20th location for the 11-year-old franchise, which operates restaurants in seven states. Jake Hawley owns and operates all of Barrio’s Michigan locations.
“We love being part of a bustling city center,” Hawley said. “The visibility and vitality that downtown Kalamazoo offers and, specifically, the overlapping mix of business and entertainment in the Haymarket District, are sure to draw lunch and dinner traffic as well as those looking for a unique night out on the town.”
Barrio will utilize approximately 5,650 square feet of space on the building’s main floor. Planning for how to best utilize and renovate the rest of the building is underway, Treystar officials said.
Initial plans called for the Kalamazoo restaurant to open in March.
In September 2021, the Kalamazoo City Commission approved an application from Treystar for the building to be considered for a tax break under the Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act.
An Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act District is a financial tool meant to assist with creating a vibrant downtown through the rehabilitation of existing urban buildings as opposed to demolition.
As a result, the developer was able to freeze taxes for 12 years, based on 2022 rates, allowing for the project to pay upfront costs. The total amount of taxes to be abated over 12 years is estimated to be $393,946, according to city documents.
Related: Barrio Tacos + Tequila + Whiskey coming to Kalamazoo
The redevelopment project is anticipated to cost about $4 million in total, Treystar officials said. Project partners include Eckert Wordell Architecture, CSM Group, Construction Simplified and the city of Kalamazoo in conjunction with the Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act.
Renovations to the building will include new HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems and extensive interior and exterior work. Breathing new life into a building that has been vacant and unimproved for 12 years, the project will be the first in the city to use OPRA as an economic development tool, officials said.
“For decades, Treystar has earned a reputation for successful development activities and investments,” said Kalamazoo Community Investment Manager Antonio Mitchell. “The city is happy to assist them in utilizing OPRA funds to reimagine an under-utilized building in downtown Kalamazoo.”
Treystar purchased the building in April of 2022 and added it to its property portfolio within the Haymarket District. The district includes the Monroe Building, the Haymarket Building and Main Street East building at the corner of Michigan Avenue, as well as the Haymarket Plaza along Michigan Avenue.
Related: Haymarket Plaza opens as arts, entertainment and networking space in downtown Kalamazoo
“We are pleased to bring Barrio Tacos + Tequila + Whiskey to downtown Kalamazoo as another anchor to the Haymarket district,” said Terry Patterson, Treystar partner. “We were impressed with the Barrio concept and the vibrant energy they brought to other downtown communities in Michigan.
“That spirit dovetails nicely with our efforts to develop and operate the Haymarket Plaza, so we immediately focused on partnering with Jake and his team.”
Barrio Tacos + Tequila + Whiskey will join WL Socialhouse in anchoring the Haymarket’s downtown entertainment campus.
The restaurant is expected to create 60 to 80 new jobs. For more information, visit barrio-tacos.com.
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