Interior demolition has begun on a 4,200 square-foot space in downtown Traverse City that will be the future home of Rare Bird Brewery and Taproom. Owners Tina Schuett and Nate Crane are taking over the space next to Pickle Print Marketing on Lake Avenue, across the parking lot from Patisserie Amie, and are targeting a summertime opening.

Schuett has been a professional brewer for a couple of years, first in Wisconsin then at Right Brain Brewery, and currently is contract brewing for Sugarfoot's in Leelanau County.

She says the project is in its very early stages, including their application for a full liquor license which will allow them to sell their own brews as well as other beer, wine, cider and liquor. They also plan to offer a simple menu. Follow their progress on Facebook.

Rare Bird joins several taprooms and brewpubs already open or in the works, including North Peak, Right Brain, Seven Monks, Brewery Ferment, The Filling Station, Stormcloud, Beggars, and Terra Firma.