Rare Bird Brewpub reopens downtown Traverse City after fire repair

Rare Bird Brewpub reopened Thursday at noon, putting a Lake Avenue anchor back into service nearly three months after an early-morning fire forced the downtown Traverse City spot to shut down. The return restores a familiar gathering place at 229 Lake Ave. just as summer foot traffic peaks and nearby restaurants and shops depend on steady downtown activity.

Firefighters were called to the restored 1931 red brick building around 3 a.m. on April 16 after flames broke out behind the brewery. Owner Nate Crane said a propane tank exploded and most of the damage was behind the restaurant. No one was inside when the fire started, and no one was hurt, fire officials said.

The brewpub had initially been expected to stay closed two to three months for cleanup and smoke remediation, but the owners chose to self-fund the repairs rather than wait for insurance approval. That decision allowed the business to move faster on reconstruction and to make changes that go beyond restoring what burned.

The renovation included a kitchen makeover, new bar tiling, refinished tables and new lighting, along with other cosmetic updates such as new paint and bar stools. The owners have said the rebuilt space would still look and feel like Rare Bird, while rolling the kitchen back into its summer menu with the usual favorites.

Owner Schuett tied the reopening push to the brewpub’s 12th anniversary on June 26. “Our 12-year anniversary is June 26th, so that’s kind of my new goal, to be open on that day,” Schuett said. The business reopened on July 9 instead, still landing in the middle of the season when downtown Traverse City gets its heaviest restaurant and bar traffic.

The closure drew support from the community as well. A Meal Train organized by a friend drew more than 80 participants and 30 gift cards, and the business had been paying staff their normal hours out of pocket while insurance coverage for wages was being sorted out.

Rare Bird’s return carries weight beyond one storefront. Traverse City Tourism says its mission is to strengthen the local economy through travel, and its economic impact report puts visitor spending in the greater Grand Traverse region at $1 billion in 2022, supporting 8,954 jobs. In that context, reopening a Lake Avenue dining room in early July is more than a repair finish line. It adds one more occupied storefront, one more evening venue and one more reason for visitors to linger downtown.