10/24/2024
MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT!!! We have signed a Letter of Intent to work with J. Jeffers & Co to develop a Taproom/Beer Hall/Beer Garden project at Belle City Square! (Press Release Below)
We've been working on this for most of the year and it's been almost impossible not to tell all of you, especially with all of the support the FCBG Community gives us on a regular basis! Now we'll need it more than ever to bring a community gathering space to Belle City Square with plans to open in 2026.
This is just the first public step on the path for this project but don't worry the FCBG isn't going anyplace! In the comments below is a link to a page we created specifically for the Belle City Square project. Please follow along the journey! We'll have some pictures at the FCBG tonight and tomorrow and will be adding more to the "Project" page as we go! You can also help by letting everyone know!!!
Thank you to everyone who has been part of the Hop Heads/FCBG journey.....when I say we are just getting started.... I meant it!
Press Release:
FRANKSVILLE CRAFT BEER GARDEN OWNERS TO BRING TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESS AND COMMUNITY BUILDING TO RACINE’S BELLE CITY SQUARE
Hop Heads Hospitality & Events LLC Signs LOI for Community Gathering Space
October 24, 2024 (RACINE, WI) – Ken Michel, Jr. and Molly Michel, owners of Hop Heads Hospitality & Events LLC, have signed a Letter of Intent with J. Jeffers & Co. to bring a community gathering space and taproom to the historic, transforming Belle City Square neighborhood. A Live. Work. Play. Community located just north of Downtown Racine, Hop Heads will join a growing list of commercial and office tenants, including The Inclusive Bean coffee shop and MALTWORKS Business & Creative Studios.
As the founders and owners of the award-winning Franksville Craft Beer Garden, the Michels bring significant experience to this next project, which will create a dynamic gathering space in one of Belle City Square’s commercial-focused buildings. They will activate Belle City Square’s Legion Building as a taproom and events venue. Occupying just under 18,000 square feet and an outdoor beer garden area, the space will serve as a social hub for Belle City Square and the Greater Racine area.
The Michels’ taproom concept will also serve the Belle City Square campus’ social impact priorities, in part, by partnering with non-profit to host fundraising events and by providing an innovative “Kitchen Takeover” program in support of emerging restauranteurs. The pair anticipates the creation of as many as 30 permanent jobs by the taproom’s third year of operation.
“We are excited to add to the legacy of this historic location by working to create one of the area’s top community gathering spaces,” said Hop Heads Hospitality & Events Co-Owner and President Ken Michel Jr. In addition to the beer hall concept with capacity for up to 300 people, private event spaces will be created for smaller gatherings. The company will continue to operate and grow the Franksville Craft Beer Garden in addition to the Belle City space.
The addition of this new taproom concept to Belle City Square adds to the significant momentum for Racine’s first Live. Work. Play. Community; a mix of residential, office, and commercial buildings. Formerly the Horlick Malted Milk Factory, the site and its historic buildings have seen significant investment since the project began in 2019. “Our vision was that this former factory site could be a thriving neighborhood. In addition to careful planning to reignite each building, it is our community partners that are truly helping to make Belle City Square a success,” said Joshua Jeffers, CEO and founder of J. Jeffers & Co. He continued, “The Michels have shown they are dedicated to the Racine community and will optimize the space. We know they are a perfect partner for Belle City Square.”
The new concept is expected to open in Spring/Summer 2026. In the meantime, design and planning is underway of the 1911 building once known as “Factory 3.” Additional announcements will be made as progress continues. More information about Hop Heads Hospitality & Events LLC can be found at the Hop Heads Hospitality and Events website. More information about Belle City Square can be found at Belle City Square’s website.
