HopCat Southgate Grand Opening

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 16, 2025

CONTACT:

Michele Ary

Director of Marketing

(269) 206-6872

Michele@wearebarfly.com

SOUTHGATE, Mich. (June 16, 2025) — Project BarFly, the West Michigan-based hospitality group that operates HopCat, today announced grand opening details for its new HopCat restaurant in Southgate located at 15231 Trenton Road. The 6,700 sq. Ft. beer bar and restaurant will open to the public June 30, offering 40 taps of curated craft beer alongside its widely recognized comfort food menu featuring famous Cosmik Fries.

On Friday, July 11 at 1 p.m., HopCat will host an invitation-only ribbon cutting ceremony with the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber, local community leaders, and HopCat’s mascot, Brewce. Then on Saturday, July 12, HopCat will celebrate its public grand opening with a housewarming event where the first 200 guests in line will receive free Cosmik Fries for one year. Doors open at 10 a.m., and dine-in guests will receive HopCat swag and special gifts while supplies last.

“It’s an incredible opportunity to open our doors here in Southgate,” said Kara Snyder, Managing Partner of HopCat. “We’re excited to bring the HopCat experience to a new community that has already been so welcoming. With a team of over 100 passionate staff members, we’re ready to deliver the outstanding food, craft beer, and hospitality our guests have come to expect.”

HopCat Southgate sites just off the corner of Trenton and Eureka, taking over the former Old Chicago location. The new 6,700 sq. ft. restaurant will accommodate up to 260 guests and feature a brand-new open floor plan, 40 rotating craft beers, a full-service bar, TVs for game day viewing, and an expanded outdoor patio featuring a pergola and festoon lighting.  

“The City of Southgate is known for our wide array of dining options,” says Joseph Kuspa, Mayor of City of Southgate, “with HopCat’s unique menu, friendly staff and vibrant décor, they will most certainly become a favorite venue for our residents and those visiting throughout the Downriver area. We appreciate HopCat’s decision to locate here and are excited to welcome this new business to Southgate.”

“As Downriver's employer and workforce advocacy network, the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber is focused on creating quality employment opportunities, empowering small businesses and nonprofits, and attracting great talent to our communities.” said Ronald Hinrichs President/CEO of the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber. “As a valued regional employer and community partner, we are excited to welcome HopCat to Southgate and are looking forward to their engagement and service within our Downriver region.”

Ahead of its highly anticipated public opening, HopCat Southgate will host a Charity Night Soft Opening on June 28 from 5-10 p.m. to support the HopCat Employee & Community Assistance Fund powered by HelpLink. This special event is open to the public, where guests can enjoy a complimentary meal in exchange for a $15 per person donation to reserve their spot. In addition, HopCat will contribute $5,000 to the Assistance Fund. All proceeds will go directly toward supporting HopCat employees and Southgate community members facing financial hardships. Reservations can be made online here.

“Putting people first has always been at the heart of HopCat,” said Craig Stage, CEO of HopCat. “That’s why we’re excited to team up with HelpLink, a Michigan-based nonprofit, to support both our employees and the Southgate community. This partnership allows us to bring together our business, our team, and our guests to help neighbors who are facing financial hardships. And the best part, every dollar raised will stay right here in Southgate to help those in our local community who need it most.”

HopCat is committed to supporting local breweries, sustainability, and community engagement, offering quality bar food and an inviting atmosphere. With eleven locations in Michigan and one in Nebraska, HopCat is a leader in the craft beer industry.

About HopCat
At HopCat, craft quality goes beyond our unparalleled beer selection. We pride ourselves on scratch-made, award-winning food and friendly, knowledgeable service. Each HopCat location has a unique atmosphere, but you can count on a consistently exceptional experience every time. For more information on HopCat, please visit www.hopcat.com.

About HelpLink
HelpLink is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening communities by meeting real, everyday needs—quickly, quietly, and with dignity. Through its tech-enabled giving platform, HelpLink connects funding from local businesses and donors to individuals facing short-term challenges such as past due utility bills, car repairs, or access to basic essential items. The platform ensures transparency by directly covering costs rather than giving cash, and it empowers businesses to create meaningful local impact by helping those who live and work in their communities. Since 2017, HelpLink and its founding network have helped meet over 100,000 needs and continue to grow through partnerships with companies that believe in caring for people first. To learn more, please visit www.helplink.org.  

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