Good news, Mitten Brewing Company fans: The Northport brewery announced on Tuesday afternoon that it has officially secured a long-term lease for its space at 112 West Nagonaba Street. The new lease ends a years-long odyssey for the brewery to establish a more permanent presence in Leelanau County.

In October 2022, The Mitten Brewing Company announced that it would be closing down its operation in Northport, citing an inability to work out “an equitable renewal agreement with our landlord.” An eleventh hour one-year lease extension announced ultimately allowed Mitten Brewing to return for the 2023 season. But even that solution was temporary: Beyond the one-year nature of the lease extension, the space at 112 W Nagonaba went up for sale last year. For now at least, the property is still listed.

The Mitten got a breakthrough earlier this month, when the Northport Village Council agreed to a deal that resolved the ownership and use of Park Drive, which snakes north from Nagonaba Street up to Third Street. The village and Karl Wizinsky, who owns adjacent property, had long argued about claim to a section of the street after Wizinsky’s deed appeared to show that he owned it. It was the dispute over the street that led Wizinsky to declare in October 2022 that he wouldn’t extend the lease for The Mitten. Mitten co-owner Chris Andrus previously told the Leelanau Ticker that he hoped the resolution of the street dispute would clear the way for the brewery to secure a five or 10-year lease.

While The Mitten’s Tuesday announcement did not specify the length of the new lease, it did say that the agreement with Three Rivers Properties is a “long-term lease” and will ensure that the brewery continues to operate in Northport “for the foreseeable future.”

In the Facebook post, The Mitten thanked the Northport Village Council “for mediating the solution,” Village Manager Jim Dyer “for his leadership and trust,” their landlord Karl “for his willingness to keep the conversation alive,” its employees “for their patience and understanding,” and the people of Northport for supporting the business.

“We promise to continue to invest in Leelanau County. To host any and all of the Village’s holiday events. To take care of the best damn Christmas Tree above the 45th parallel (or anywhere, for that matter.) Above all, we promise to earn the trust you have placed in us,” the statement concluded.