The Brew Pub set to close after 16 years in Mishawaka

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Mishawaka
Posted: 2:32 PM Dec 2, 2008
Last Updated: 6:41 PM Dec 2, 2008
Reporter: Alana Greenfogel
Email Address: Alana.Greenfogel@WNDU.com

60 comments

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The area's first brew pub is closing its doors after 16 years, but you will still be able to enjoy their award-winning beer.

The Brew Pub, operated by the Mishawaka Brewing Company on Main Street in Mishawaka, will be closing at the end of the day this Wednesday.

"Business has plummeted," says owner Tom Schmidt. "A year and a half ago when gas prices started climbing, that's disposable income that people no longer have and one of the things they cut out is going out to dinner."

Tom says increased competition, Main Street's recent construction, high property taxes, and the smoking ban as some other reasons for closing.

Loyal customers say they were surprised and disappointed to hear they'll have to find a new hang out.

"We had some good times in here," says Scott Hickey.

"One of my son-in-laws took me to this place to ask for my daughter's hand in marriage. He knew I liked the place," Rob Schallhorn shares.

And we've all heard this one before.

"Nice to come to a place where everybody knows your name," Eric Pearson says.

The family's other restaurant, The Pub, located at the corner of Grape and Cleveland, will remain open, as well as their brewery in Elkhart. That means you can still buy the Mishawaka Brewing Company beer in some supermarkets.

Well for now, Tom leaves us with this piece of advice.

"Just keep drinking good beer."

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Willie Location: Niles on Dec 9, 2008 at 01:33 PM
Stating that the serving staff was "better than it ever has been" is meaningless. If they were previously horrible, and for the past year were merely bad, then it still equals below-par service.

Posted by: A Location: SB on Dec 5, 2008 at 12:45 PM
look- Some of those posting WERE employees there. Myself included..try again.

Posted by: look on Dec 4, 2008 at 10:45 PM
as far as the service is concerned obviously none of you have been in their in the past year when the whole serving staff was better than it ever has been. the employees in the past year had more morals and respect for the customers in that building than the owners ever did for any of the employees. try again

Posted by: Willie Location: Niles on Dec 4, 2008 at 09:12 AM
At the risk of being repetitive, I hope other SERVICE INDUSTRY businesses are getting the message from all these comments about what POOR SERVICE will do to a restaurant.

Posted by: jason Location: south bend on Dec 4, 2008 at 08:19 AM
I used to love the brewco a few years ago. They stopped making some of my favorite meals and i just kind of lost interest. It's going to suck for them to not be there anymore- we have too many chain restaurants.

Posted by: Clevester Location: Wakarusa on Dec 3, 2008 at 07:27 PM
You know who makes good beer? The Amish. They keep it on the Q.T. but those guys really know their beer.

Posted by: Gary Bing Location: Granger on Dec 3, 2008 at 07:26 PM
I like beer. A Lot!

Posted by: DUFFMAN Location: S.B. on Dec 3, 2008 at 06:42 PM
WHEN YOUR BEST DISH IS SHEPARDS PIE, YOU ARE IN TROUBLE. THE SERVICE WAS JUST PLAIN TERRIBLE. SAME WEAK SERVERS & BARTENDERS FOR YEARS. THEN THERE WAS THE BEER...GENERIC AND SOUR COME TO MIND, THOUGH HOP HEAD USED TO BE GREAT... EVEN TACO BELL UPDATES THEIR STORES EVERY 10 YEARS...TRY THE LIVERY IN BENTON HARBOR. KILLER BREW AND KILLER MUSIC ALL THE TIME.

Posted by: Meat Pie on Dec 3, 2008 at 11:36 AM
The Brew Pub was such a great place 10 years ago... the employees, the food, the beer, Tuesday nights. I have lots of good memories and met a lot of good friends while working at the MBC. Best of luck to the Schmidt family and cheers to all past and present MBC employees and customers.

Posted by: Erin Location: South Bend on Dec 3, 2008 at 11:21 AM
I feel for them, but on more than one occasion when I visited the hostess would act as if she was doing us a favor to let us eat/drink there. As far as the smoking ban, it should be universal. This is not a habit that affects only users. Second hand smoke poses real dangers and is disgusting besides. As a non-smoker, my eating in a restaurant affects NO ONE else. On the other hand, smokers affect air quality and the overall enjoyment of other patrons. I will agree all business owners should feel the effect of the law equally, but make no mistake that no-smoking laws are appropriate and welcome. Kill yourself with a disgusting habit on your own time, in your own home. Don't make children, the elderly and other vulnerable individuals pay for your habit. The non-smoking public should not have its choice of restaurants limited in a way smoking patrons would not. Clearly, in a month like December it is much easier to go outside and smoke than sit outside with a family and eat a meal.

Posted by: Jerry Location: Niles on Dec 3, 2008 at 08:46 AM
Pete's Patio in Niles may close for the same reasons, if you are a regular, you are seated in the Bar and get great friendly service, but if you going there only 3 or 4 times a month, you are placed in the dining room and get very, very, very poor service! The food is great, the prices are high, the portions o with meat or seafood as the entree are very small! The Pasta entrees are fairly large portions!

Posted by: Jo jo Location: SB on Dec 3, 2008 at 08:26 AM
Brian, you stated "You have the right to do something as long as it doesn't interfere with someone else's business". I could care less about the smoking ban, but your statement is mind boggling. The forced ban of smoking interferes with somebody's business! Funny how people always say they have a right to smoke free air, but never even think about their right not to eat at a privately owned business that should have a right to allow smoking if that is what they want. If it means they lose customers for allowing smoking, well...it is their right to make that decision is it not?

Posted by: N on Dec 3, 2008 at 06:50 AM
Smoking bans dont change anything other then the fact that I dont smell smoke when I am eating my meal. I smell it when I walk into or out of the restaurant because you idiots stand directly in the door way and blow your disgusting filth right in everyones faces who walk by. I'm so sick of smokers and their "well what about me?!" mentality that I'm about ready to start knocking the cigarettes from your handles and stabbing the hot embers into your eyelids. No one gives a crap about you and your disgusting habit. I enjoy being able to go out to a meal and actually taste my food and not come home coughing and smelling like an ashtray because some pathetic person is so "addicted" that they cant put their addiction on hold for at least 20 minutes to enjoy a meal without lighting up. Lung cancer and emphysema exist for a reason: smoking is disgusting and an annoyance to everyone around it and you deserve to have it for being such a nuance to those around you.

Posted by: jennifer Location: michigan on Dec 3, 2008 at 06:42 AM
Just as comment, sorry to hear about the loss of your business regardless of the reason behind the loss. As to smoking I do, as to whether it personally changed my going out, in Michigan you can smoke in resturants but many use the ban too, I simply don't go to those anymore. So yes they do lose some business from the ban.

Posted by: JP Location: Mishawaka on Dec 2, 2008 at 11:22 PM
I've seen the place go downhill for the last 7 or 8 years. The MBC once brewed award winning ales, but that was over a decade ago. Even thier award winning flagship ale The Four Horsemen has suffered from a quality point of view. The service and food at the brewpub was always border-line. At one time, the MBC attracted large crowds on Fridays. I was there a few years ago New Years Eve afternoon and it was like walking into Moes (of Simpson fame). I do wish the owners luck. Perhaps with the capital they will dave they can work on quality control of their ales. Operating a micro or brewpub is extremely difficult, but if the main product lacks consistency or quality the entrerprise will fail.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 2, 2008 at 09:52 PM
I am not even a smoker but I must say that a lot of you are not entirely right. There are definately more non smokers nowadays but even non smokers do smoke sometimes when they go out. A lot of places noticed a change in biz when the ban started. Which is why some places like Houlihans, Between the buns, Pitt Stop,Fridays or Max and Ermas closed off the bar solely for that reason-so people can also smoke there. Bonefish noticed there bar area was not near as "hoppin" as it was in the beginning. Children are now able to sit in the bar and that swayed people away from having the "bar" be a bar scene for them. Also Wings lost a alot of regulars who went to their bar to smoke and drink after dinner. Which is another reason the new BW3's added a seperate section as did Ruth's Chris. Ask the owners of those places and they will not deny that. The ban did hurt a lot of restaurants. And being friends with a lot of smokers you did always have to wait longer for a smoking section.

Posted by: Mik Location: South Bend on Dec 2, 2008 at 09:48 PM
It is a sad day for anyone when their business closes. People should be nicer to the owners...at least they tried. Being a small business owner is not easy.

Posted by: bill on Dec 2, 2008 at 08:37 PM
I stop in at Mish. Brew Pub about 8 years ago and I never went back...I'm just saying...It was nothing more than an outdated bar with subpar food...Sorry to see an independent business go under but you have to offer the public something unique in quality as well as quantity.

Posted by: Shelby on Dec 2, 2008 at 08:15 PM
A smoking section in a restaurant is like having a peeing section in the swimming pool. That is why this ban was imposed. I ate at the brewry once a few years ago and never had the urge to go back. The food was unimpressive and the beer was just good. Not great. There was hardly anyone in the place so we had service. But no smoking the reason restaurants are going under? Come on...I always have to wait to get a table in a nonsmoking section of a restaurant but could sit immediatly in the smoking area. So what does that tell you?

Posted by: A Location: SB on Dec 2, 2008 at 07:51 PM
The food prices were never raised, read my other comment. Prices are the same as the first time it opened..what's different is that you aren't getting everything that you're supposed to get. They charge you the same amount, and give you less and lower quality food than the day they opened..

Posted by: - Location: SB on Dec 2, 2008 at 06:43 PM
Raising the food prices, $4 gas, many people losing jobs because George Dumbya has done such a great job and ND playing so good ;þ last 2 yrs is why.

Posted by: Chris Location: South Bend on Dec 2, 2008 at 06:15 PM
Been there many times over the years. They were much better the first 5 years. The beer has always been ok but overpriced and yes the beer quality did change for the worse. Same for the food. The service was by far the biggest issue. It was flat terrible. I finally got so sick of waiting to be seated, wait staff forgetting about me, waiting for beer refills, and being served cold food I finally quit going there. Went to Politos instead!

Posted by: b Location: south bend on Dec 2, 2008 at 05:40 PM
they're beer is mediocre at best, and all tastes the same....not worth the glass it's bottled in (way too hoppy!)...the food was, at best, truck-stop hack..dressed up to appeal to the pseudo-beer afficianados...i'm surprised they have lasted this long...Hoosier Brewery's beers were far superior...all that said, still sad to see a local business fail...there is an oversaturation problem here in the area with respect to restaurants...there just isn't enough money here to justify the amount of eateries (and most are unimaginative, at that)....

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 2, 2008 at 05:17 PM
SMOKING BANS NEVER STOP PEOPLE FROM GOING OUT, THEY ALL JUST GO OUTSIDE AND SMOKE IN THE PARKING LOTS OR OUTDOORS, I SEE IT EVERYDAY, ITS FUNNY HOW SMOKER THINK THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO POLUTE OUR AIR BUT WE DONT HAVE A RIGHT TO WANT TO HAVE CLEAN AIR TO BREATH WHEN WE EAT, THERE ARE WAY MORE NON SMOKERS THEN SMOKERS, SMOKING HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT WE HAD A BAN ON SMOKING AT BASIX NIGHTCLUB BACK IN THE 90'S NEVER HURT BUISSNESS....

Posted by: Steven Location: Granger on Dec 2, 2008 at 04:51 PM
I find it hard to belive that you can blame a failing resturant on the smoking ban. Did all the somkers start cooking for themselves and stop eating out all together? No. The problem has many sides, mostley the fact that people don't have as much spending cash as they used too, and the over development of the Grape/Main st avenue. Resturants are poping up like mushrooms after a rain around there. I'm sorry to see the Pub go.

Posted by: Tired of it quickly on Dec 2, 2008 at 04:44 PM
Food sucked, atmosphere mediocre, or less after softball games when the "Git 'er done" crowd arrived. Beer was average and overpriced. And these morons blame smoking ban, taxes, construction, and competition. Man up, Dudes, the place stunk, and so do those that survive.

Posted by: Todd Location: Mishawaka on Dec 2, 2008 at 04:12 PM
The food was ok...not impressive by any means. It was a dark atmosphere...kind of depressing.

Posted by: Patrick on Dec 2, 2008 at 04:12 PM
They still have their little pub at the Grape Rd/Cleveland intersection right behind the mutual bank (previously MFB). That is actually another brew co. but it doesnt say it on the sign.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 2, 2008 at 03:54 PM
The smoking ban had nothing to do with the closing of this business. Poor service did the job. Those of you who think that the smoking bans have anything to do with the down turn of business are wrong. There are businesses that improved after the ban. If you need to smoke, go outside or wait an hour. There of those of us who can not be around any smoke what so ever, because of our years of smoking. It triggers attacks that can cause hospitalization.

Posted by: J Location: SB on Dec 2, 2008 at 03:35 PM
Sorry to see it close, but i did hear negative things about the management and the way they treated their employees for years. To Anonymous @ 9:32 ... they lost their son? Which son are you referring to? Hopefully not Rick (part owner).

Posted by: uh..huh Location: south bend on Dec 2, 2008 at 02:57 PM
yeah, service was not up to standard. beer was ok, but overpriced. Some of the food was overpriceds as well, scotch eggs were great though. Blame the smoking ban? How about blame the nicotine addicts who can't control their addiction and so can't go out in public and enjoy a drink and meal w/o having to light one up. Losers.

Posted by: Willie Location: Niles on Dec 2, 2008 at 02:35 PM
I agree with everyone here who thinks the service was lousy. I only hope the other customer-apathetic businesses around here take note. I swear, I've been around a little bit, and with few exceptions the bars/restaurants in SB/Mish have some of the worst service I've ever encountered.

Posted by: pam Location: South Bend on Dec 2, 2008 at 01:53 PM
I am sure the smoking ban had alot to do with it. Alot of restaurants in this area felt the pinch. I am going to miss the Brew pub.

Posted by: First Timer on Dec 2, 2008 at 01:30 PM
I just went there for the first time 2 weeks ago. The service was good and the food was ok. My husband did enjoy the beer. But we are glad we got to try it before they closed.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Osceola on Dec 2, 2008 at 12:45 PM
I am a smoker and when the smoking ban went into effect, that did not stop from going there. I was there once after. I seriously thought their beer was lousy. The food was just OK. The prices were also very expensive.

Posted by: Brian Location: OC! on Dec 2, 2008 at 12:11 PM
If they had waited on their customers at all (ok maybe more than 1 time ever hour or so) they'd have repeat business. After the beer went downhill I had no reason to go back. Shame too, I really liked it about 2 years ago. and to "smoking gun" and his "Free country"...awfully moronic statement. You have the right to do something as long as it doesn't interfere with someone else's business. your smoke floats to where non-smokers go, that's why we can tell you where you can and can't smoke. Quit smoking and you won't have anything to complain about, and more money too...

Posted by: Courtney Location: SB on Dec 2, 2008 at 11:21 AM
Thats too bad. A lot of good memories there. Hate to see them go.

Posted by: Dustin Location: Mishawaka on Dec 2, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Most restaurants I know of saw their business increase, rather than decrease, after the smoking ban. Since it was a brewery, they could have made it an "18 and over" restaurant, kept their smoking customers and been done with it. There must have been other reasons.

Posted by: Unimpressed Location: South Bend on Dec 2, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Their food and service were both lousy. No wonder they went under. I don't think it had anything to do with the smoking ban.

Posted by: A Location: SB on Dec 2, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Funny, last I heard they leased the building..property taxes? Yeah right. Smoking ban? Nope, that's not the cause. As a former employee, it had alot to do with how they ran their company. They had multiple health inspector visits and fixed very little afterwards, they didn't advertise, treated their workers like ****, overpriced menu with low value food (note: the beef wellington, despite the description, does NOT comes with goose liver pate and therefore does not justify the high price)..the list goes on. What it boils down to is that the owners were greedy and thought of themselves more than their employees and customers. Had they made the investments necessary to improve the place they would be expanding right now. As for the question about the brewery in Elkhart, that is simply where they brew the beers, there is no place to sit down, eat, etc.

Posted by: Scags Location: South Bend on Dec 2, 2008 at 09:34 AM
This place always had the vibe from a service standpoint that unless you were a regular, they didn't really care to try as hard. The food was average at best and their beers were decent, but not overwhelming. All that said, it is still a shame to see a local brewery close a location while a chain brewery opens up in the area. At least The Pub is still open. The atmosphere is more appealing at The Pub's more intimate setting.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: SB on Dec 2, 2008 at 09:32 AM
The inability to do advertising and the loss of their son still rides on the family. Sometimes it is hard to accept that things need to be different, or changes need to be made, when you hope that it will turn around. At least the pub is still open and ypu can buy the beer from liquor stores. With the economy the way it is I am surprised that they have made it this long.

Posted by: Skipper Location: SB on Dec 2, 2008 at 09:32 AM
If they made it a habit of kicking out medium sized groups who came together in their establishment to discuss politics, that might have something to do with it. That was two years ago and I have personally never been back.

Posted by: Jenny Location: South Bend on Dec 2, 2008 at 09:12 AM
Whatever the reason for their closing, I am really sad. I have a lot of great memories there with friends. It was where we had our rehersal dinner for our wedding. It was a different kind of place to go around here. I am really really going to miss it.

Posted by: Greg on Dec 2, 2008 at 09:08 AM
Just remember..when you point a finger, three are pointing back at you...

Posted by: Bill Location: Michiana on Dec 2, 2008 at 08:58 AM
I'm sorry to see them leave. The scotch eggs are the best. As they said The Pub will still be open. You can also buy their beer at Chalet Party Shoppe and other local restaurants. Please remember they are not a chain. They are local people trying to make a living. Good Luck

Posted by: BN Location: Mishawaka on Dec 2, 2008 at 08:39 AM
I'm sure that the smoking ban had something to do with the drop in business but I there was a lot more to it. Their beer lacked consistency and was really not that good, and the service was among the worst I have ever experienced.

Posted by: Chris pajakowski Location: Granger on Dec 2, 2008 at 08:35 AM
Not a suprise. We went there one friday night and had to wait 20 minutes to be seated. Would not have minded if the restaurant was full. Fact was there were only about 6 tables seated. Service was less subpar as well.

Posted by: pub fan Location: sb on Dec 2, 2008 at 08:26 AM
I don't smoke, I went there before the ban, much more often after the ban. I agree on the service...not quite up to par. The rest will be missed though.

Posted by: Customer Location: Osceola on Dec 2, 2008 at 08:04 AM
Don't blame the smoking ban... If anything, blame their service. I starting going to this pub more after the smoking ban. They have good food and good sodas, but their service levels were less than par. The reason I did not visit before was because of all the smoke. I tried a couple of times, but even in the non-smoking area, you would come out smelling of smoke. This is a bummer to hear since I loved their nachos.

Posted by: smoking gun Location: mishawaka on Dec 2, 2008 at 07:57 AM
To LB, you are obviously a moron who has no clue just how much business and money some businesses lost due to the smoking ban and who are you and nonsmokers to decide for the rest of us what we can do and where! last time i checked this was still a free country although i dont think thats all that true if you dont like smoke then dont go out where people do it you and your wife are prudes!

Posted by: LB Location: Bend on Dec 2, 2008 at 07:08 AM
Oh jeez. Smoking had nothing to do with this. They never advertised. They never did any marketing or anything different to bring in the customers. You people are true idiots for think the smoking ban had something to do with this. Smoking is for losers. The ban was the best thing to happen to this county. Now my wife and I who are non-smokers can go out an enjoy places we never would have. Put that in your pipes and smoke it you worthless peoples.

Posted by: Junkyard Dog on Dec 2, 2008 at 06:56 AM
If they ban smoking in ALL restaurants then there wouldn't be an issue. The smokers would still go out and the restaurants could not use that as an excuss anymore.

Posted by: TR Location: The Burg on Dec 2, 2008 at 06:56 AM
Don't blame the smoking ban, blame $4.50 per pint when you can buy a 6 pack of the same beer at the store for $9.

Posted by: Homer Simpson Location: Mishawaka on Dec 2, 2008 at 06:25 AM
Overpriced mediocre draft beer.Period.

Posted by: Smoker Location: Elkhart on Dec 2, 2008 at 04:49 AM
If the owners read this, please state if The Pub allows smoking. Also, tell us more about the brewery in Elkhart-is it open to the public,is it a store to buy bottled beer, is it a sit-down, can you smoke there? Some of us would love to keep you in business if the law allows.

Posted by: Rebecca Location: Ohio on Dec 2, 2008 at 12:25 AM
I am so sorry to hear this. Smoking bans cause incredible damage. 315 drinking establishments closed during the first year of Ohio's smoking ban. More than 5,400 people lost their jobs. Indiana must stand up and fight against these 'one size fits all' blanket bans.

Posted by: jer Location: mish on Dec 2, 2008 at 12:12 AM
well that sucks. the best restaurant and bar in the area and they're closing. bummer.

Posted by: Jen on Dec 1, 2008 at 11:22 PM
The Brew Pub was a great place. Another casualty of the non-smoking ban. I wonder if any of the backers of the ban ever went there?

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 1, 2008 at 10:34 PM
When they stopped giving those free bar chips away everyone stopped going.

Posted by: micro brew lover Location: OC on Dec 1, 2008 at 10:24 PM
Blaming the smoking ban... it was nice to enjoy a good beer without having to choke on used smoke.