Owners of Deagan’s Opening Second Business in Lakewood

The folks who brought the successful “gastropub” concept — pairing high-end beer and quality food — to Lakewood are opening a second business in the city.

Dan Deagan and company signed a lease to open a wine bar in Lakewood Plaza.

Deagan, his wife, Erika, and partner Dan Stroup plan to open the wine bar in the 2,000-square-foot space in the location just to the east of Discount Drug Mart by the summer. 

And with plans for an outdoor patio on Detroit Avenue, the timing couldn’t be better.

Deagan’s Kitchen and Bar has already proven itself as one of the staples and a main attraction in the downtown Lakewood dining district.

As the ink on the new lease dries, Deagan is keeping a lid on many of the details of the new business — including its name. 

“We’re looking to do a wine bar,” he said, adding that there will be an extensive wine selection. “There aren’t wine bars in Lakewood. We want to do something that Lakewood is lacking.”

There will be some food, but it will be a “limited and simple” menu, he said.

“We want to add more to downtown Lakewood,” Deagan said. “We love it here. If I could open 15 businesses in Lakewood, I would. Between the city and the residents, I don’t have a single negative thing to say about Lakewood in my entire experience here.”

David Berkovitz, the project manager for the property owners Levey and Company, said he’s pleased with the progress of the plaza, and looks forward to filling out the space in the renovated building.

“It’s has come together very nicely,” he said. “It just needs that last splash of fresh plantings. In the spring, everything’s going to look very nice.”

Berkovitz said there’s only one vacancy left in the plaza — and it may not stay empty much longer. 

“We have a proposal out to a regional tenant,” he said. “We’re just waiting for the word.”