“Our entire portfolio began with Old City Hall in 1997. Through all of the trials and tribulations and with quite a few mistakes on the way, we worked at perfecting our operation and getting everything the way we wanted it to be. We opened American Kitchen in 2012, Tavern 101 in 2014, and Molasses in 2018.
Under the DRI umbrella, we have Old City Hall – purchased and started operating in 1997 - a casual fine dining restaurant focused on chef-driven menus, fine wines, and great service. Tavern 101 is a gastropub with 54 beers on draft that excels in burgers and flatbreads. Molasses Smokehouse offers the best BBQ in the Tri-Cities with a great bourbon selection. Drift Beer Garden is a food truck park on the water with great entertainment, docks, cold beer, and great service. And Lucky Bunny is a downtown corner bar on Center Ave with karaoke, cheap drinks, and great service.
Behind every new project is a deep respect for where the city has come from. We focus on honoring the original architecture and history of each property while layering in thoughtful design, updated amenities, and hospitality-driven touches that make the spaces vibrant and welcoming for today’s guests. DRI is unique because we don’t just build or renovate, we create experiences. By combining historic preservation with innovative dining concepts, we’re able to bring new life to Bay City in a way that connects deeply with both the community and visitors.
DRI serves as a bridge between Bay City’s past and future, revitalizing historic spaces while fostering a thriving dining and hospitality scene.”
“Our mission at DRI is to create restaurants and experiences that bring people together, showcase the best of Bay City, and contribute to a vibrant, welcoming downtown. We’re focused on building spaces where great food, hospitality, and community intersect. DRI functions to bring energy, diversity and personality back to the heart of downtown in the form of fine dining. Everything that we do is for our customers because we know that we would be nothing without them.
Bay City is on the rise. There’s an energy here that’s only getting stronger. What excites me most is seeing new people discover our downtown and locals taking pride in it again. It feels like we’re at the start of a real renaissance where creativity, community, and business are all working together to shape the next chapter of the city.
DRI fits into that vision by investing in unique concepts that give both visitors and residents more reasons to come downtown, stay downtown, and keep coming back. We want to create experiences that not only strengthen the restaurant and entertainment scene, but also support the local economy, showcase the city’s character, and inspire other entrepreneurs to join in.
At the end of the day, we continue to support our community because we love what we do and we love the business of hospitality. For us, hospitality isn’t just about serving food and drinks, it’s about taking care of people. That spirit extends beyond our restaurants and into the community itself. If our efforts can make Bay City stronger, more connected, and more welcoming, then we know we’re doing our job right.”
-Brandon Massnick, Vice President of Downtown Restaurant Investments
