ANN ARBOR, MI, July 14, 2014 – BarFly Ventures today announced plans to open HopCat – Ann Arbor, a restaurant and bar featuring up to 100 craft beers on tap in the heart of downtown Ann Arbor in January of 2015. The more than $2 million investment will result in the creation of 140 new jobs.
HopCat – Ann Arbor, 311-315 Maynard Ave., will be the fifth location for the award-winning HopCat, which was named the No. 3 Beer Bar on Planet Earth by Beer Advocate and among the top 100 beer bars in the USA by DRAFT Magazine.
The draft system will be the largest in the city with up to 100 varieties of craft beer available on tap. Many of HopCat’s taps will be dedicated to showcasing the artistry of Michigan’s craft brewing industry with others featuring great craft beers from around the country and the world. A selection of rare and specialty bottled beers along with wines and cocktails also will be available.
“Downtown Ann Arbor’s history as an outstanding dining, art and music destination is one of the main factors that drew us to the city,” said Mark Sellers, founder of HopCat. “With a strong business community along with the University of Michigan, the city is a perfect fit for HopCat’s philosophy of offering a unique, comfortable environment to enjoy great beer and great food with friends.”
Hiring for management positions is under way now. Resumes for prospective managers may be submitted to annarbor.jobs@hopcat.com. Hiring of hourly employees is expected to begin in late fall.
HopCat – Ann Arbor will occupy 8,600 square feet with more than 300 seats inside and seasonal outdoor seating along Maynard.
HopCat’s food menu – “food your Mom would make if she loved beer” – headlined by its famously addictive Crack Fries, includes an eclectic mix of fresh shareables, sandwiches, burgers, salads, wraps and big plates.
As with other BarFly Ventures locations, HopCat – Ann Arbor will implement an extensive composting and recycling program. This program has reduced the amount of waste BarFly’s bars and restaurants send to landfills by more than 90 percent in the past three years.
Follow HopCat – Ann Arbor’s progress at www.hopcat.com, on Facebook, on Twitter (@hopcataarbor) and @hopcatannarbor on Instagram.
About HopCat
Founded in Grand Rapids, Mich., in 2008, HopCat is the flagship brand of BarFly Ventures. HopCat is a destination for locals, tourists and beer fanatics alike, earning international accolades as such as: “No. 3 Beer Bar on Planet Earth” by Beer Advocate Magazine, “No. 2 Beer Bar in America” by CraftBeer.com and “No. 1 Brewpub in the United States” by RateBeer.com. HopCat – East Lansing opened in August 2013 in record-setting fashion, hosting a 100-tap takeover in partnership with Short’s Brewing Co. In August of 2014 HopCat – Broad Ripple will open in Indianapolis with Indiana’s largest number of craft beers on draft. HopCat – Detroit will open with 130 draft lines and a live music venue in the heart of Detroit’s Midtown neighborhood in November 2014. HopCat – Ann Arbor will open with 100 taps in the heart of historic downtown Ann Arbor in early 2015.
