Listing Loon sells craft beers in Northside

After months of planning and clearing many hurdles, Beth Harris and Dave Mikkelsen opened the doors to the Listing Loon on Saturday. 

 

The duo, who met while tending bar at The Comet, have been working to open a craft beer and fine wine retail store since late last year and have run into countless problems obtaining liquor licenses. When the Listing Loon opened, at 4124 Hamilton Ave., there was only beer available for take-out so far. From craft six-packs like Bell's and Flying Dog to staples like PBR and Lonestar, the Listing Loon hopes to increase its inventory to more than 150 beers. Mikkelsen orders the beer through a local distributor that doesn't sell to big corporations. Five draught taps are also in the works.

 

"We definitely attribute our beer knowledge to Dave Cunningham (of The Comet)," Mikkelsen says.

 

Presently, Harris works at Sidewinder and Mikkelsen works at Mayday, so the two worked hard to make sure their new business wasn't over-saturating the neighborhood scene. Before opening the Listing Loon, Mikkelsen and Harris asked bar owners in Northside how they felt about the beer and wine store opening, and they only received support. Tina Meyers, who owns Pinnokios Hair Design in Northside even held a fundraiser for the Loon. Meyers cut hair all day and gave all the proceeds to Harris and Mikkelsen. 

 

"This community is so supportive," Harris says. "We're excited to finally open our doors." 

 

The Loon will soon have wine available for carryout, but as of now, they are fourth in line in the state for their wine license. Plans are to sell 50 types of wine, ranging from about $10-70. As is the case with in-store beer service, the Loon is still waiting on a separate license to serve wine by the glass. Eventually, they will also sell snacks that pair with the wine and beer they sell. 

 

After obtaining all their liquor licenses, Harris and Mikkelsen want the Listing Loon to be a "rock 'n' roll wine bar," complete with live music. "Friends have said they would love to be able to pick up a six-pack or bottle of wine after eating brunch at Take the Cake or Melt," Harris says. "Now they can."

 

Listing Loon is open Tuesday-Thursday from noon-10, Friday and Saturday from noon-11 and Sunday from noon-4.