The Fowlers Mill Inn and Tavern has sat vacant for several years, but by late 2017, residents can expect business — and hungry visitors — to return to the Brown Barn looking over the Alpine Valley Ski Area.
The Fowlers Mill Inn and Tavern has sat vacant for several years, but by late 2017, residents can expect business — and hungry visitors — to return to the Brown Barn looking over the Alpine Valley Ski Area.
Payne and Payne builders, whose office is located across Fowlers Mill Road from the construction site, took on a project that includes demolishing the former Fowlers Mill Inn and Tavern and updating the Brown Barn’s interior and exterior to house a new restaurant that will be operated by Greg Higham, current owner of Maple City Taps on Chardon Road.
They will also build a new building to house a local law firm, and the property includes a third building, pavilion and outdoor patio areas that are available for lease.
In a press release, Higham said the second location would allow him to offer a menu to complement Maple City Taps and provide more dining options for customers. While each location would have its own atmosphere, Higham said, “The open layout of the Brown Barn and the views over Alpine Valley will make for a really unique, laid-back atmosphere.”
Mike Payne told the Geauga County Maple Leaf the Brown Barn — which has at different points housed a furniture store, a western bar and a party center — is in pretty good shape. It will, however, need new siding and windows, as well as aesthetic updates to the interior.
But the former Fowlers Mill Inn and Tavern building had to be demolished due to extensive damage and mold, he said.
“It was way too expensive to try and save it,” Payne said.
A new building housing the law offices of Todd and Susan Petersen, of Petersen & Petersen Attorneys at Law, will replace the former inn and tavern. They plan to leave their current office on South Street in Chardon and move to the new building late this year, where Todd’s father Jerry will join the practice.
Andy Bushman, Munson Township trustee, said the new project will be a great improvement for the corner. Losing the Fowlers Mill Inn and Tavern, in his eyes, set the area back a little bit “because it was always a great place to go.”
Bushman credits Payne and Payne for rebuilding their offices in a formerly dilapidated building on the corner and making their business a centerpiece of the Fowlers Mill area.
“I would think the law firm and the Brown Barn will be that in the future,” he said.
Construction on the Brown Barn is expected to begin in July and work has already begun on the new Petersen law firm building. Both projects are slated to be complete in late 2017, with Higham hoping to open the new restaurant before the end of the year.
