Brendon Presnell

HANCOCK — A new microbrewery is coming to Hancock.

The Hancock City Council gave the local government approval for a microbrewery license at 115 Quincy St. for Staghorn Brewing Co.

The owner, Brendon Presnell, had been brewing as a hobby for several years. He decided to launch the business after talking with building owner Jonathan Nagel, and has been working on the project for the past year.

He loves experimenting with new beers. But as an eight-year resident of the area, he’s also excited to be more involved locally. He credited Nagel and Lisa McKenzie, also a Hancock city councilor, for inspiring him with their ideas for building community in Hancock.

With the craft beer market oversaturated downstate, Presnell said, he’s looking for a fresh take that will include a sizable menu of non-alcoholic drinks. Having the space be open to people of all walks of life will be critical to its success, he said.

“I’m really hoping to make this a sort of third space that Hancock needs, to have people — both drinkers and non-drinkers — be able to come to a place to socialize and really add to the vibrancy of the downtown,” he said.

McKenzie, who recused herself from Wednesday’s vote, said they were working with the Michigan Economic Development Corp. for a grant to fund the historical restoration of the building.

The Staghorn name is both a nod to the native plant and to the hunting culture of the area, Presnell said.

“Both elements of it had a nice, elegant ring that spoke to the natural beauty of this place,” he said.

City Manager Mary Babcock said because of the proximity to the career and technical education building, she also had to get permission from the Copper Country Intermediate School District. While the CCISD did not take a position for or against the microbrewery, they were not contesting it, she said.

Now that Staghorn has the city’s approval, Presnell will work to get approval from the state, and is working with the Department of Agriculture to get the back of the building set up.

“It’s still very early on, but we’re working in the direction of being able to get our financing,” he said.

In other action, the council:

• Approved the sale of Lot 25 of Spruce Haven Estates, 634 Oaklawn Drive, for the list price of $18,500.

• Approved the renewal of Kristine Weidner’s sales contracts for lots 9, 10, 11 and 17 at the Hancock Business and Technology Park with an expiration date of Sept. 27, 2025.