Council votes to recommend social‑district permit for Newpark Gastropub and approves several routine contracts and events

The South Haven City Council on July 6 voted to recommend that the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) grant a social‑district permit to Grant Carkey Capital LLC, doing business as Newpark Restaurant Group (Newpark Gastropub), for 402 Eagle Street.

Applicant Mary Green told the council the social district would encourage visitors to linger downtown and support local businesses: “We at Newport Gastropub would love to be join the social district,” she said. Councilmember motioned to adopt Resolution 2026‑27 recommending MLCC approval; the resolution passed on roll call.

Council also approved three special‑event applications — a barbecue on Aug. 7, the Low Light Music Festival on July 18 and Movies in the Park on July 11 — and authorized a five‑year license agreement permitting Old Harbor Village Condominium Association, JWILCO Properties LLC and Speaks Inc. to maintain commercial dumpsters on city property at the William Street parking lot. The DDA will fund repairs to the dumpster enclosure; the license carries a $5,000 fee per licensee and requires use of a single trash hauler to reduce wear on the parking lot.

Separately, council approved quotes from Lakefront Roofing and Exteriors to replace the roof, soffits and fascia at the North Beach concession for $18,087.27, to be funded from the beach fund. Staff said the concession building is more than 70 years old and showed signs of rot and active leaks; the DDA assisted by funding related repairs.

These votes were routine and passed on voice or roll‑call votes during the meeting; where applicable staff noted the MLCC must grant final liquor permits.

The council set a public hearing for Warner Vineyards' on‑premise tasting room application at a future meeting; staff said Warner holds an off‑premise tasting license and needs an on‑premise permit for microbrew operations and on‑site sales.