Our Story

Located in the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

The Empire Village Inn was build in 1958 by Tedd Mead Sr. for Grand Haven, Michigan residents Tedd and Naomi Nash. In those days the contractor also drew up the plans for the building. Tedd Mead Jr. (Teddy) remembers the two older Teddy sitting at the Mead’s dining room table discussion the building while Tedd Sr. drew up the plans. It was Teddy’s job to drive to Gaylord to pick up the construction supplies.

The business opened in 1959 with the name ‘Village Inn’. In old pictures one can see the original pine paneled bar and brick wall with fireplace. The original Village Inn served beer, wine and very simple bar food.

After just a few years Tedd and Naomi were followed by a number of colorful owners. One was known as ‘Black Ann’. It seems that some of the patrons were equally colorful and there are rumors of fights, stabbings, motorcycle clubs and even ghosts!

In 1971 an addition was added to the north end of the building which included a kitchen.

Bob Ihme bought the bar in 1977 and changed the name to the ‘Good Times Kitchen’ and ‘Hard Times Saloon’. Another colorful character by all accounts, Bob presided over the ‘Big Ball’, a softball tournament between local bars and their employees. Folks would show up for a weekend of baseball, camping, camaraderie and drinking!! It was Bob who carpeted over the original pine paneling on the bar.

The name was changed to ‘The Empire Village Inn’ by Mike Wiesen when he bought the bar in 1987. Mike installed new and larger windows and a dance floor. He took out the fireplace, added a full kitchen and expanded the menu to include pizza, appetizers and sandwiches. Mike acquired four pizza ovens from a ‘going out of business’ sale. One of those ovens is still in use at the Village Inn, the other three, it is said, were sold to a company that makes prosthetic limbs. Apparently they are used to bake the items at some point in their creation!

Teddy Mead was employed from 1988 until his retirement from the EVI in 2009. He remains a well-liked and well-remembered friend of patrons, employees and owners.

The Lerchen family bought the EVI in 2006. They have continued to expand the menu. Among other things the kitchen has been made much more attractive and accessible and the original pine paneling on the bar has been exposed. A wall has been built one the north end of the building and Gemma’s Coffee Shop was installed in 2011. During the Covid pandemic the space was converted to a ‘pop-up’ grocery store. Now it serves as place to grab take out food, craft beer and wine to go, along with a few staples and souvenirs. Today the Empire Village Inn is a family friendly place for pizza, local beers, cocktails and sandwiches.