Each time Dr. Rolf and Judy Hissom would drive to Barrett Boat Works, where they store their boat during the warm summer months, they’d look down at the former Old Boys’ Brewhouse and think, “That would be a great location for us.”

That dream will soon become a reality, as the Hissoms recently announced their intention to bring their Dr. Rolf’s BBQ to the former brewery and restaurant at 971 W. Savidge St. in Spring Lake.

The couple opened Dr. Rolf’s BBQ in Muskegon about five years ago, and for the past three years have also been serving their brisket, ribs, pulled pork and more at Grand Armory Brewing Co. in downtown Grand Haven. They say they’re now ready to expand out of the Grand Armory building and open a full-scale restaurant.

“We’ve loved our three years down there in the Armory – it’s been a great location for us and a great arrangement,” Judy said. “We were the food vendor inside the brewery, and during the summer, it did get really busy down there for us. If you’ve ever seen the setup, it really has no kitchen and very limited prep space, so all the food we’ve been selling the last three years has been moved from Muskegon to Grand Haven daily.”

One day this summer, Judy spent some time in the Armory location, and realized it was time to look for something different.

The restaurant’s menu includes everything from smokehouse standards like ribs, brisket, chicken, and pulled pork; sides including collard greens, butter beans, and macaroni and cheese; and one of their customer favorites, cornbread waffles.

“We were never able to have the mac and cheese in Grand Haven, because we make that per order and put it under the salamander broiler,” Judy said. “Now the Tri-Ciites is going to be able to have our mac and cheese on their menu.”

Judy is excited to bring the same decorating touches that adorn the Muskegon location to Spring Lake, including reclaimed barn wood and metal siding.

“The colors are going to be the same, the same furniture, similar artwork,” she said. “We want this to feel like our Dr. Rolf’s feels like in Muskegon.

“The advantage is that this is already a restaurant,” she continued. “Both times before, we bought buildings and converted them into restaurants. That’s a much harder process – putting in all the ventilation systems, all the kitchen equipment, the hoods. The first time we walked through here, I was like, ‘I can so see us in here.’ It’s just cosmetic work right now. That’s the fun stuff.”

Judy said she hopes to have the doors to the new restaurant open by late March or early April 2024.