KALAMAZOO, MI — A historic, nearly 99-year-old, English Tudor-style building at Academy Street and West Michigan Avenue is once again getting new life.
Vacant since 2019 when Rupert’s Brew House closed, the building at 773 W. Michigan Ave. will soon become an event space for Comensoli’s Italian Bistro & Bar, called Casa di Amici.
The versatile space will be “perfect for weddings, corporate events, birthday parties, retirement celebrations, showers, networking events and more” the Facebook page states.
Casa di Amici translates from Italian to “house of friends.”
The name was drummed up by restaurateur Paul Comensoli, who owns the nearby Italian bistro. It draws from the building’s old tagline as a “place where friends meet.”
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The phrase traces back to the building’s origins as Oakland Pharmacy, which featured a lunch counter and soda fountain. Behind it was a market and barbershop. It carried on its decades as Boogie Records, a number of cafes and eventually, Rupert’s Brew House.
On deck for the space is Comensoli’s latest venture, Casa di Amici, which is expected to open soon, according to the business’ Facebook page.
Chef & owner Paul Comensoli poses for a portrait at Comensoli’s Italian Bistro & Bar in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Thursday, April 13, 2023. (MLive file photo)Rodney Coleman-Robinson | MLive.com
Casa di Amici’s request for a banquet facility permit liquor license was approved by the Kalamazoo City Commission on Monday, Jan. 27.
It’s an extension of the existing liquor license held by Comensoli’s Italian Bistro & Bar, 762 W. Main St., according to city documents. The permit allows Comensoli’s to serve alcohol at the new location exclusively for scheduled events, as long as at least 50% of revenue comes from food and nonalcoholic beverage sales at the primary restaurant.
The permit does not alter the operation of the existing restaurant, but provides additional event-hosting capabilities at the new space.
“This exciting development offers a unique and sophisticated setting for a diverse range of private celebrations,” Comensoli stated in the city request. “The unique ambiance of the historic building will provide a stunning backdrop for wedding ceremonies and receptions of varying sizes.”
The banquet space in the recently-renovated building will also be well-suited for hosting company dinners, holiday parties, networking, team-building events and conferences, he stated.
Larger social events can be accommodated more easily than they are at the Comensoli’s restaurant space.
A target open date was not immediately available. Comensoli was unavailable to comment prior to publication.
See a complete history of the building on the Kalamazoo Public Library website.
RELATED: Fire at former home to Rupert’s Brew House ‘determined accidental’
Built in 1926 as Oakland Pharmacy, the building at 773 W. Michigan Ave. in Kalamazoo, Michigan, has been many things over the last 99 years, including most recently Rupert’s Brew House. Vacant since 2019, the building will soon be home to Casa di Amici, a catering and event space to be operated by Paul Comensoli, of longtime Kalamazoo Italian restaurant, Comensoli’s. The building was photographed here on Jan. 27, 2025.Audrey Whitaker | MLive.com
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