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KILKENNY'S IRISH PUBLIC HOUSE: A TRAVERSE CITY ORIGINAL TO OPEN IN JUNE

New Pub Planned for Garden Level at North Peak

TRAVERSE CITY, MI., APRIL 12, 2007 - Beginning this June, northern Michigan residents and visitors will be able to experience a genuine Irish public house (pub), complete with Irish ales, shepherd's pie and corned beef & cabbage, and live music. Kilkenny's Irish Public House will open on the garden level below North Peak Brewing Company on the corner of Front and Hall Streets in June.

Traverse City natives Jon Carlson and Greg Lobdell, who also own North Peak, Blue Tractor Cookshop, Bowers Harbor Inn, and The Bowery, are majority owners of Kilkenny's.

The 6,000 square-foot pub will feature traditional Irish and American fare, hand-crafted Irish ales and coffees, a lounge and fireplace, a performance stage for live music, several pool tables, and high-definition televisions. Kilkenny's will also offer space for private events.

The name "Kilkenny's" is derived from County Kilkenny in Ireland. Kilkenny is the home of Ireland's oldest brewery, founded in 1231, and is considered the medieval capital of the country.

Mr. Carlson and Mr. Lobdell are natives of Traverse City. They grew up on Old Mission Peninsula.

Commenting on the new pub, Mr. Carlson said, "We are excited to again invest in our hometown. Even amidst a challenging statewide economy, we continue to see strong growth and potential in northern Michigan; Kilkenny's will be a great addition to a great restaurant and bar town."

Greg Lobdell added, Kilkenny's will so closely resemble the experience of a traditional Irish public house... we really hope patrons will be transported. We're working hard to make this an authentic experience, with, a warm, comfortable atmosphere, live music, and of course, great food, drink, and fellowship."