Downtown Traverse City is getting a new “community marketplace” and craft brewery. Michigan native Kevin O’Donnell has purchased the former Master Dry Cleaners at 329 E. State Street and is aiming for a June 1 opening for both businesses.

Roughly two-thirds, or 6,500 square feet of the renovated building – located adjacent to the parking deck and across State from the Park Place Hotel -- will house the State Street Marketplace, a “place for ten vendors from the pizza guy to a bakery, coffee shop or a juice bar,” says O’Donnell, “a bunch of local vendors who can showcase their wares. We’re really excited about it.”

Kevin Endres of Three West, who handled the real estate purchase, says the new market presents an opportunity for local artisans who seek affordable space downtown.

“It will really fill a need in downtown Traverse City for those people who want 400 or even 200 square feet for retail or a restaurant and can’t afford Front Street or those Front Street spaces are too big,” Endres says.

O’Donnell tells The Ticker he is a tenant in a similar market located in Winter Garden, Florida, where “it’s been a boon for the city and the vendors.”

“We don’t want a giant marketplace with national retailers,” says O’Donnell, who is a Michigan native, has family in Petoskey but now lives in Orlando. “We want to be as local as humanly possible. The most important thing for us is to keep this as economically feasible for the tenants. We think if this is a success for them it will be a success for the local community.”

The market will be complemented by the all-new Traverse City Brewing Company, a 4,500 square foot craft brewery and tap room to be located in the northwest side of the refurbished building. Visitors will be able to enjoy a beer or wine from the tap room along with food from any of the market vendors. All beer will be brewed on-site. Shipyard Brewing, based in Portland, Maine will serve as an advisor on the project.

The building itself, a dry cleaners for decades, has a rich history. It once served as the horse stable for the Traverse City Police Department. Endres says some beams and architectural details remain and will be accented in the remodel.

“We’re shooting for a June 1 opening,” says O’Donnell, adding that much of the work will be done inside the shell of the building and can be completed during the winter. The new façade and exterior improvements will begin in April.

The building had been listed for sale for $1.25 million.

Those interested in renting a vendor space in the State Street Marketplace can contact Kevin Endres here.