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Owners of two taprooms where customers can serve themselves beer and wine from a “beer wall” are close to getting approval on their final operations plans in Royal Oak on Monday.

The North End Taproom will be located inside the former Dixie Moon Saloon at 111 S. Main Street.

A half mile away, at the former Roak brewery at 330 E. Lincoln, The Ferndale Project is getting ready to open its Lincoln Tap location.

City Manager Paul Brake said City Commissioners have already approved the self-serve model  for North End Taproom, but have to approve some minor operational changes the owners are requesting on Monday, along with Lincoln Tap’s new request to install a beer wall.

“This concept of self-serve drinks is interesting,” Brake said, “and fits with the dynamic of labor shortages during the pandemic that have impactacted all the bars and restaurants here.”

Michigan became the 46th state to allow self-dispensed drinks last month with the passage of new legislation in Lansing.

North End Taproom was the first business to approach city officials early this year with a self-serve drinks plan. 

Owners Jonathon Stoia and his wife, Katheryn, went before the City Commission in January. However, through their attorney Kelly Allen, they asked that their final approval be delayed until the new state legislation was in place.

North End Taproom patrons’ will have their ID checked by employees before being given a prepaid key card or wristband which acts as a bar tab. Customers scan their key cards at the beer wall and the alcohol drinks are directly dispensed to them.

The Stoias have tech backgrounds. Jonathan Stoia is an engineer specializing in automotive interiors and works for Tesla Motors. His wife is a middle school teacher specializing in science and robotics.

A drink key card or wristband is attached to a customer at all times and dispensing machines are not allowed at customer tables.

For each serving, the dispensing machine dispenses no more than 16 ounces of beer, 12 ounces of wine, or 12 ounces of a mixed drink.

The machines dispense no more than 32 ounces of drinks before they have to be reactivated by an employee.

Michigan’s legislation prohibits any straight liquor from being dispensed from the machine. The law also allows mixed drinks to be dispensed, though it is unclear if those drinks will be available at both of the new locations.

Besides the beer wall, North End Taproom will have a food menu including dishes such as burgers, small plates and shareables such as nachos, charcuterie and salads.

Over a year ago, Ferndale Project, a taproom with food on Livernois in Ferndale and a subsidiary of Eastern Market Brewing Co., got approval from the City Commission to operate at the former Roak site, which closed in February 2021.

There is a 30-barrel brewhouse system inside the 1,700-square-foot building that Ferndale Project will use.

Ferndale Project is asking the City Commission to approve amendments to its plans of operation, including having a self-dispensing beer wall at Lincoln Tap and eliminating original plans for a traditional bar.

“I find it interesting that they are also looking at expanding their hours in the morning when they will serve coffee and vegan doughnuts,” Brake said. “People had become fond of Roak before it closed, and I think this project helps establish a new neighborhood tavern there.”

Work is already underway at the North End Taproom’s 4,700-square-foot site on Main Street. 

The Stoias’ plans include investing about $600,000 in building renovations, with cosmetic updates, new furniture, fixtures and equipment.

Brake said estimated opening dates for Lincoln Tap and the North End Taproom are expected to come up at Monday’s City Commission meeting.

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