Ashley's Beer and Grill closes in Westland after more than 12 years of serving beer

David Veselenak | Hometown Life

The taps have run dry at one of Michigan's best-known craft beer bars in Westland.

Ashley's Beer and Grill, 7525 N. Wayne, closed this past weekend after more than a decade of operations, according to a Facebook post by the bar. It cited complications the bar had with its lease agreement with the nearby Westland Shopping Center as a reason behind its closure, which included issues surrounding parking lot lighting and maintenance, among others.

"They not only refused to correct the maintenance issues but would give us no break on rent for a dying mall," the Facebook post from last week states. "We just could not keep paying the high rent they were asking for a decaying mall."

Messages were left with Ashley's seeking comment on the closure.

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A statement provided by the Westland Shopping Center when reached by Hometown Life did not address the Ashley's departure specifically, citing pending litigation, but said it would to have "exciting" news about additions at the mall in the future.

"We do not comment on existing litigation. Per the General Manager, Gary Thomas, however, I can tell you that Westland Shopping Center has a very long and successful history in providing great shopping and dining options to the communities we are privileged to serve," the statement reads. "Over those years, some tenants are no longer in business, due in large measure to the changing consumer shopping and dining preferences. This reality, which is not unique to our center, actually provides us with opportunities to continue to bring to the mall new exciting businesses, from national to local tenants, so we can continue to meet the current changing retail realities, which we have successfully been doing over the past 54 years."

Ashley's was well-known in the area as a place that served a multitude of craft beer from across the globe. Signage outside the restaurant advertised more than 100 brews on tap from all over. The restaurant was known to hold several events throughout the year, including a Lobsterfest every summer and its Brewery Throwdown tournament every year. The restaurant stated it had been in business in Westland for more than 12 years.

Ashley's will remain open in Ann Arbor, 338 S. State, where events such as the Brewery Throwdown will move to in the future. Ashley's has operated in downtown Ann Arbor since 1983.

The restaurant's owners wrote in their post they hope their restaurant positively impacted the city of Westland throughout the years while it was open.

"We've employed hundreds of Westland residents," the post stated. "We think we've helped change the image of Westland for the better by bringing world class events to Westland like the North American Belgian Beer Festival and the Michigan Cask Ale Festival."

Westland Mayor Bill Wild said while it wasn't a secret Ashley's was having financial problems — they owe thousands in back taxes and on their water bill — it's still sad to see an anchor of the Shop and Dine District leave town.

"It's been well known Ashley's had financial issues with that site," he said. "We certainly hate to lose any of our prominent businesses like that."

Contact reporter David Veselenak at dveselenak@hometownlife.com or 734-678-6728. Follow him on Twitter @davidveselenak.