BAY HARBOR, MI – A Northern Michigan craft distillery whose very name is linked to celebrating life’s special moments is making a big move this summer to ensure it can be the backdrop to lots of people’s milestones.
Petoskey-based High Five Spirits recently announced it plans to transform the former Bay Harbor equestrian center into a distillery and sprawling wedding venue and events center. The 42,000-square foot barn-style center sits on 23 acres overlooking Lake Michigan’s picturesque Little Traverse Bay.
To be known as Gypsy Farms – a hat-tip to High Five’s well-known Gypsy Vodka – the venue is slated to open in June. It’s already booking event reservations.
It is located near the tony waterfront Bay Harbor development and is a short drive from Petoskey and Charlevoix. To see photos of the property before the huge renovation project began, check here.
“The setting out here is unreal. We cannot wait for people to discover and experience Gypsy Farms,” said Adam Kazanowski, one of the founders of High Five Spirits who began distilling Gypsy Vodka years ago with his twin brother, Michael.
The rendering shows what the inside of the Gypsy Farms renovation will look like when it’s finished. Photo courtesy of High Five Spirits.
Big plans are in store for the property. The former riding arena and equestrian center is being renovated into an indoor beer garden and distillery. Architectural renderings of the project show the equine theme is being carried through the project, albeit with lots of modern touches. Some things visitors can expect as the project evolves:
- Former horse stalls will be modified into restaurant booths and private bourbon rooms.
- The indoor riding arena will be transformed into an adult activity center featuring duckpin bowling, indoor golf swing suites and multiples bars.
- The outside grounds will remain virtually untouched, leaving the multiple horse stables and riding areas as a backdrop for weddings and events.
Future plans include space for a music venue, glamping sites, and more rickhouses to be used for storing bourbon.
The Gypsy brand pays tribute to free spirits everywhere, so the scope of this project aligns with the company’s motto.
“We wanted to gear the Gypsy brand towards freedom, love, and adventure. We spent three summers living out of our van working at music festivals all over the country to build this brand. We want our story to inspire people to take risks and follow their dreams,” Gypsy co-founder Michael Kazanowski said.
This is the company’s third property in Northern Michigan. It started with a tasting room in downtown Petoskey, then branched out last summer to the Mackinac Island Rum Company on Mackinac Island’s Main Street.
High Five Spirits sells ready-to-drink cocktails in cans, as well as its regular craft spirit lineup, which includes:
- Gypsy Vodka
- Mackinac Island Rum
- Petoskey Stone Gin
- Limited-edition pours like Apple Pie Vodka and Lakeside Rye Whiskey