Kalamazoo’s Thunderbird River Ranch Closes After Just Three Years

For the past three years, Thunderbird had been a spot for college kids to hang out, offering drinks and a variety of items on its menu, but now its days are done.

It turns out that Thunderbird River Ranch, which is located at 701 E. Michigan Ave. near downtown Kalamazoo, has a padlock on the door and will no longer be in business.

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According to Grand Woods Lounge, a Grand Rapids restaurant that shares the same owners, they have confirmed that they have shut down for good.

They’re shut down, officially happened at the end of business hours on Monday, January 5, after being open for three years in the building, which was formally Arcadia Ales.

It seems that the owners have completely abandoned all of their presence, both online and on Facebook, and, according to one report, have declined to give any new info as to why they closed down so abruptly.

It will be interesting to see if any other business decides to open up in their absence, but it seems like this location has struggled for quite some time.

It was in late September 2019 that, after many months of uncertainty, Arcadia Brewing decided to shut down after five years in Kalamazoo. It would seem like a brewery; our restaurant would be a good idea to fill the spot, but it will be interesting to see how the eventual new owners could make this location successful.

Either way, Thunderbird was a good spot, and now college kids and residents will have to find another local business to support in the area.