In the front row, from left, are Katie Kern, West End Advisory Council; Diana Sundberg, West End Outreach and Services specialist, Lake Superior Community Partnership; Tia Alquaree, West End Advisory Council; Krystan Beaumont, Ishpeming Downtown Development Authority board; Kelly Milano, Ishpeming DDA board; Liisa Petersen, owner; Bill Anderson, owner; Antonio Adan, Ishpeming DDA Board; Geri Anderson, owner, Bill Anderson’s mother; Hannah Solka, owner, Bill Anderson’s daughter; state Rep. Karl Bohnack, R-Deerton; Natalie Chmiko, LSCP CEO; Vicki Schwab, managing director, Regional Prosperity, Michigan Economic Development Corporation; Brooke Quinn, senior business development representative, LSCP. In the back row, from left, are Hayden Anderson, owner, Bill Anderson’s son; Jen Tucker, redevelopment services director, MEDC; Dave Aro, Marquette County ambassadors; Jeremy Hinkson, vice president, business banking officer, Range Bank; Derek Bush, Marquette County ambassadors; Brett Argall, Ishpeming City Council; state Rep. Dave Prestin, Cedar River; Nate Heffron, Negaunee city manager; Bill Anderson, owner, Bill Anderson’s father; Lucas Solka, owner, Bill Anderson’s son-in-law; Jesse Bell, Marquette County ambassadors; Raymond Govus, community development director, MEDC. (Courtesy photo)

ISHPEMING — The Mather celebrated its official grand opening of the newly renovated tap room with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday. The Lake Superior Community Partnership joined owners Bill Anderson and Liisa Petersen in commemorating the occasion at the historic property located at 107 E. Canda St., in downtown Ishpeming.

The event marked a milestone for both the Mather Tap Room and the downtown business district as community members, local leaders and supporters gathered to celebrate the completion of the redevelopment project and welcome a new destination to the area. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, guests enjoyed a reception and had the opportunity to tour the expanded space.

The newly completed expansion allows the Mather Tap Room to serve a full food menu featuring wood-fired pizzas, sliders and fresh salads, alongside a selection of 16 underflow beers on tap and the return of the famous birdbath. The addition creates an enhanced dining and social experience while further strengthening downtown Ishpeming’s growing hospitality and entertainment offerings.

The project was supported through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Build MI Community grant program, helping transform and expand the property into a vibrant gathering place for residents and visitors alike. The investment represents another positive step in ongoing efforts to revitalize downtown Ishpeming, support local businesses, and create new opportunities for community connection.

The celebration highlighted the strong partnerships and community support that helped bring the project to fruition and reflected the continued momentum of economic development and revitalization efforts throughout Ishpeming and the West End.

LSCP ribbon cuttings are funded by Northern Initiatives.