Local family business opens Buchanan's first brewery and taproom

BUCHANAN, Mich.-A building that’s been vacant in Buchanan’s downtown for 5 years is coming back to life.

“It’s been about a two year renovation to get to this point,” said Steve Lecklider, owner of Lehman’s Farmhouse. “I found this building in Buchanan and approached the city with my plans and they said well when can you start,” Lecklider said.

Lecklider is a fourth generation farmer from Lehman’s Orchard, a family operated farm in Niles that his grandfather started in 1929.

Decades later, he is expanding and evolving the family business to provide visitors with an experience Buchanan has never seen.

“This is a destination economy,” Lecklider said. “I think the new brewery, distillery and winery scene is a part of that experienced economy,” Lecklider said.

The 12,000 square foot former Clark laboratory on Red Bud Trail will not just serve house made beers, spirits and food. But, sell various salsas, jams and other products from the Orchard.

“To have this type of a facility within the city limits of Buchanan adds a little diversity in our commerce,” said William Marx, Buchanan’s City Manager and Police Chief.

City leaders are looking forward to having the extra traffic and an economic boost that extends far beyond Lehman’s.

“One restaurant helps another restaurant,” Marx said. “You think there would be a competitive problem, but it isn’t because it actually boosts people,” Marx said.

In a town with only 4,600 people, Steve says he is proud to make Buchanan home and to make his family’s dream into a reality.

“We’re very excited to be open and we’ve had a lot of community support,” Lecklider said. “This is just an extension of what we’re already doing,” Lecklider said.

The ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony will take place at 5:30 P.M. at Lehman’s, 204 Red Bud Trail N in Buchanan. For more information on the event, click HERE.