Richfield Brewing Company holds ceremonial groundbreaking

by Dan Holland

More than 50 residents, along with village officials and the ownership, staff and team of Richfield Brewing Company, attended a ceremonial groundbreaking June 13 at the site of the soon-to-be-built brewery and restaurant at 3871 Broadview Rd. A reception and short program were held afterwards in the adjacent Richfield Masonic Hall.

Owner Mike Lytz, who also owns Sarah’s Vineyard in Cuyahoga Falls, expressed his gratitude toward the village and its leadership in helping him launch the project.

“It’s been a long journey to get to this point where we’re actually having a groundbreaking ceremony with a big, old hole in the ground,” said Lytz. “We’re very honored to be a part of the community and we hope to build a beautiful building that will make the community proud and help spur more development in the town center. We just want to be good neighbors and have a nice place for everyone to come to.”

“The new restaurant and microbrewery will be a beacon of craftsmanship and creativity, representing the spirit of our community,” said Mayor Michael Wheeler. “The restaurant and microbrewery will add a new dimension to our historic district, attracting connoisseurs of fine craft beer and drawing attention to the unique charm of Richfield.”

Lytz said he originally considered locating the brewery in the former home of Dr. Randolph Heinle, but with guidance from his architectural team, decided to build a brand-new 5,000-square-foot building at the site. The business, which Lytz expects to open in spring 2024, will employ a staff of approximately 30 workers and will seat more than 200 customers, including outdoor patio space, he said.

The brewery, which will feature a full-service sit-down restaurant with a varied menu, craft beer, wine offerings and top-shelf liquor, is expected to be a strong draw for the Historic District along with Olesia’s Taverne of Richfield.

“We’ll have Olesia’s anchoring the town center on one end and the brewing company on the other,” said Brian Frantz, village director of planning, zoning and economic development. “The intent is that we have vacant space just to the east, that the village owns, and that we will have another building – maybe a bookstore or ice cream shop – and have activity on both sides of the road.”

“I am thrilled to be a part of this exciting milestone that we’ve accomplished in bringing something new to the historic district of Richfield that looks like it’s part of our past,” Wheeler told The Richfield Times.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to be in a community that cares so much about their community and is interested and supportive like they are,” Lytz added. “I’ve been looking forward to the building process for a long time. There’s an old saying that the joy is in creating, and once it’s built, then all the hard work of running it and maintaining it begins.” ∞

Photo: Turning the shovels at the ceremonial groundbreaking of Richfield Brewery are (l-r-) Village Council President Sue Ann Philippbar, Village Mayor Michael Wheeler, Project Manager John Dobrzeniecki, Richfield Brewery owner Mike Lytz, American Trademark Construction Services owner Justin Deters, and Village Director of Planning, Zoning and Economic Development Brian Frantz. Photo by D. Holland.