The Cottage Bar, a landmark downtown Grand Rapids and the city's longest-running restaurant has new ownership.

According to Wood TV 8, The Cottage Bar and its sister restaurant One Trick Pony have been purchased by Jassi and Sandeep Dhami, who own neighboring Palace of India.

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The restaurants were put on the market last year, when the owner of 41 years, Dan Verhil, announced that he'd be retiring and selling the businesses at the corner of Fulton Street E and La Grave Avenue SE.

The restaurant was first opened in 1927 by Earl and Marie Coon. Originally it was a sandwich shop called "The Cottage" that catered to the surrounding factories.

In 1967, Dan Verhil's father, John Verhil, became the third owner. Dan took over in 1980 and opened the bar next door, One Trick Pony in 1996.

One Trick Pony (2)
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One Trick Pony has served as a venue for local music too, hosting different music series throughout the years.

At the time, Verhil said he was hoping to find someone to continue the legacy of these legendary downtown GR eateries:

My most important goal and first order of business is to find a new owner and curator who appreciates the history of these iconic restaurants — someone who will carry on their legacy and honor my longtime and loyal staff...

It sounds like he has found that!

According to a release, the new owners "treasure and value the historical legacy" of the two businesses. Verhil says,

Thank you so much to all my loyal guests and staff for their loyalty and patronage over the years. It is a bittersweet moment for me to step away, but I feel it is time for the new owners to be the custodian of these iconic restaurants as I move on to my next new adventure.

Coming up, there's an opportunity to say goodbye. Monday, March 15th from 5:00 pm-7:30 pm, the public is invited to a socially distanced walkthrough at One Trick Pony, where they are welcome to dine afterwards at the Cottage Bar.

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