Oldest bar & restaurant celebrates 85 years

12:45 AM, Aug 19, 2012   |    comments
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GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM)-The oldest bar and restaurant in Grand Rapids is marking a milestone.

The Cottage Bar and Restaurant served its first customer 85 years ago Saturday. Saugatuck Brewing Company helped the business celebrate with a specially brewed ale available for one day only. Cottage Bar and Restaurant also roasted a pig and cooked up its largest burger ever-a ten pound gut-buster, which was cut up for customers to enjoy.

"The cottage burger is the most famous burger downtown, so we thought we'd celebrate with a big one," said owner Dan Verhil with a smile.

The Verhil family bought the Cottage Bar and Restaurant in 1967 and has been running it ever since. One of the employees also celebrated 45 years with the business.