GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Elk Brewing, less than two years after opening in Grand Rapids, plans to debut a second suburban brewpub near Fifth Third Ballpark in Plainfield Township this summer.

It's an aggressive push for the brewery led by Eric Karns, who worked for nearly three years to build out and start up the first site along Wealthy Street SE in the face of tight financing.

"Business has been very good and we're maxed out on our space," Karns said. "The major thing is having an expansion with more brewing space. Right now, we are limited with what we can do and what we can produce."

The pub at 700 Wealthy St. SE has a capacity of 600 barrels per year, Karns said. In Comstock Park, brewery staff will be able to turn out 1,800 barrels per year and there's the possibility for further expansion if warranted.

Karns expects to have 25 tap handles for beers and ciders in addition to serving wine. The space will also allow distribution of kegs and bottles, as well as barrel-aging beers, he said.

"We're really excited by all the possibilities this allows for us and the community," he said.

Construction recently began on the 5,000-square-foot pub and restaurant at the corner of Dodge Street and Wakefield Avenue, near the Comfort Suites hotel. Estimates filed with the township put the building cost at $525,000. Karns declined to disclose the total project investment, but lenders were easier to come by now that he has a track record and the brewing industry continues to boom.

Elk will have an outdoor patio for dining and drinking, but there is no live entertainment planned as part of the project. The design is expected to have a capacity of 100 inside and 120 on the patio.

Planners heard concerns about traffic, parking and landscaping during the review process. Elk has agreed to add buffers and also secured parking access with nearby businesses.