Plans for 'upscale spirits bar' Mash in East Lansing approved
EAST LANSING — City officials have approved plans by the owners of Jolly Pumpkin Cafe & Brewery in the city's downtown to build out a space adjacent to the Albert Avenue eatery and open a bourbon, whiskey and beer bar.
BL Mash East Lansing LLC, the company that operates the Jolly Pumpkin, plans to construct "Mash East Lansing" inside the 4,755-square-foot space at 212 Albert Ave., west of the Jolly Pumpkin, with seating for up to 150 people, Tim Dempsey, East Lansing's interim director of planning, building and development told City Council.
The East Lansing City Council conducted a public hearing on the proposal and approved a special use permit and expanded liquor license at its June 20 meeting.
An extension of Jolly Pumpkin
The East Lansing site will be connected to Jolly Pumpkin through hallways on the ground and mezzanine levels. The bar will offer a variety of food and drinks, Jon Carlson, a partner in BL Mash East Lansing LLC, told East Lansing's Planning Commission in April.
The company also operates Mash Bar locations in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti.
And while Jolly Pumpkin had "a small distiller, small winemaker and brewer license," that allowed them to serve the beer and wine they make, the City Council's approval earlier this month of a Class C liquor license will allow them to serve liquor and spirits from other brands at both Mash Bar and Jolly Pumpkin, Dempsey said.
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Mash expected to be an 'upscale spirits bar'
Mash Bar, Carlson has said, will serve cocktails, beer and wine, and offer live music. The bar will cater to young professionals and adults, rather than Michigan State University's students, he told city officials in the spring.
"There are some great, super fun college bars that I attended back 30 years ago, but that's not what we intend to be," Carlson said.
Owners plan to add 20 outdoor dining seats in front of the bar.
It's unclear how long construction will take or when Mash could open. Carlson couldn't be reached for comment on Wednesday.
Contact Rachel Greco at rgreco@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @GrecoatLSJ .
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Plans for 'upscale spirits bar' Mash in East Lansing approved
