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Kortney and Ted Romanetz pose for a photo during the soft opening of their business, Cassopolis Beer Company. (Maxwell Harden | Leader Publications)

The Cassopolis Beer Company opened its doors for the first time Monday afternoon. (Maxwell Harden | Leader Publications)

The Cassopolis Beer Company opened its doors for the first time Monday afternoon. (Maxwell Harden | Leader Publications)

(Submitted)

The Cassopolis Beer Company opened its doors for the first time Monday afternoon. (Maxwell Harden | Leader Publications)

CASSOPOLIS — A building that has watched over downtown Cassopolis for nearly 130 years is now offering tasty brews, bar bites and more to the community.

The Cassopolis Beer Company, 139 N. Broadway St., opened its doors for the first time Monday afternoon. Owned by Ted and Kortney Romanetz, CBC features a variety of beer brewed on site, a tap room where visitors can enjoy beer, wine, craft sodas and neo-neapolitan wood fired-style pizzas, appetizers and salads as well as a spacious outdoor patio.

“It was a lot of excitement, joy and fear,” Kortney said. “We just felt like we were finally ready. We did all we could do and we just gotta go for it and see what happens. People love the beer, so that’s really exciting.”

The restaurant is conducting a “soft” opening this week, with hours from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday to make sure its systems are in order. Once it is officially open, hours will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.

“We’re hoping to get a lot of locals in here and host certain events and stuff to get us through the winter months and kind of bring people down to this area during that time so that we can be open every day and keep consistency,” Kortney said.

The soft openings were well-attended with community members who were excited to see the space brought to life again. The building, which was originally built in 1895, was home to the Central Cass Fire Department until its relocation to M-60 in 2017.

Local Jim Beebe was happy to see the brewery open and hopes the it will become an entertainment destination for people from Cassopolis and beyond.

“I’m just really happy to see the community growing and expanding and making Cassopolis a destination,” he said. “I can bring my friends here to entertain them and not have to go someplace else.”

The Romanetzes come to the area from Colorado. Ted, who grew up in Mishawaka, was familiar with the village. He met Kortney in college and lived with her in Colorado until moving back to the area to open the brewery.

According to Kortney, the community’s support and anticipation has been much appreciated.

“It’s been wonderful,” she said. “Ted’s coming back home, I’m living here for the first time so that was kind of nerve-wracking but it’s been great.”

The Romanetzes plan to host events in the space and will offer doggy space for canine companions next summer. 

“That will be nice for people,” she said. “We’ll have yard games and everything. We’re growing grass for that next year.”

The couple looks forward to serving the Cassopolis community for years to come.

“We hope to bring a warm space to hang out with your friends and try a drink or a yummy pizza and nice events,” she said. “We have a great patio – not a lot of places out here have good patios, you’re always looking for them. We really want a nice space for anyone and everyone to gather, and children are welcome because it’s Michigan.”

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