Louie’s, located at 629 Walbridge St., also serves as a must-visit stop in Kalamazoo’s entertainment scene. “We feel as though it gives the customers a certain aesthetic specific to the Michigan lifestyle – a cabin on the lake feel.” “When patrons walk in, the first thing they notice is the taxidermy-lined walls,” said Jax Kappeler, talent buyer for the music venue, Louie’s Back Room. What makes this bar unique other than its age? That’s where the “Trophy House” part of the name comes in. Louie’s stayed family-owned until 2007 when it was purchased by long-time customer Mike VandeMaele. Opened in 1918 by the Nowaks, a family of Polish immigrants, it’s rumored to have operated as a speakeasy during Prohibition. Louie’s Trophy House Grill enjoys the distinction of being Kalamazoo’s oldest bar. They’ll always support it because it’s a staple here.” “Everybody either has a tie to this with family members or just came here when they were younger. “ has a lot of pride in this bar,” Rule said. Paranormal activity aside, the bar’s longevity is what’s charmed locals for decades. It still just turns on a couple times a week by itself.” I’ve had the electrical redone and even a new jukebox. “The jukebox, every other day, still turns on by itself,” Rule said. And while Rule says he doesn’t necessarily believe in that sort of thing, there’s no denying some weird goings-on even he can’t explain. They had these old hotel check cards where it was checked off and it had the girls’ names on them and what they were paid.”Īs with any building with a long-standing history, there will inevitably be rumors of ghosts that linger around the establishment. “Upstairs, to this day, there are numerous hotel rooms. “During Prohibition is when ,” Rule said. So the Finks turned to other means in order to make a buck. There was a time in America’s past, however, when serving alcohol, at least publicly, wasn’t an option. He made it only so many feet and he broke his collar bone, but it was actually the first documented flight in Kent County.” “He built a bike with wings attached to it and he drove it off the top of the building. It also served as the location for the very first “flight” in the county. It was a frequent stop for Ernest Hemingway, who’d stop in on his way to Torch Lake. Nick Fink’s, located at 3965 West River Dr NE, enjoys a colorful and assorted history, which includes serving as a post office and grocery store. We could come in and make it look all fancy and crazy, try to make it something it’s not, but you don’t change something like this.” “It’s definitely old and eclectic,” said manager Matt Rule of the historic building in Comstock Park, built in 1888. While developers are continually constructing flashy, new breweries and trendy pubs across the state, other more ripened watering holes hang their hats on heritage. And at Nick Fink’s, the oldest bar in Grand Rapids, they’re absolutely fine with that adage.
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