That was the vision Red Brick Tap and Barrel co-owner Kevin Peterson had when he moved back to Alpena to open his own restaurant.

After a lengthy wait, Peterson finally opened his new business on River Street where the former Dry Dock Bar operated for decades.

Those entering the building are met with finely crafted wood booths, benches, and tables inside rooms with subtle nods to the Dry Dock.

Through the bar area and the main dining room, Peterson had materials from Alpena incorporated into the decor, which will be sure to be a topic of conversation for customers, especially those who remember days gone by downtown.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Red Brick Tap and Barrel co-owner Kevin Peterson prepares a chicken dish at his new restaurant on Thursday. The new business offers upscale bar food and a variety of beverages for cocktails. It also incorporates subtle decor touches that are a salute to the old Dry Dock Bar and other historic buildings in Downtown Alpena.

“There is wood from other buildings, the old Dry Dock sign, and parts from the old fire station,” he said. “The picture frames are made out of the frames from the windows, and the old Dry Dock red door is now the door to the kitchen. There is a lot of history in here.”

Peterson said his menu is different from other restaurants in Alpena. He called his offerings upscale bar food.

“I take things that you know, and have seen before, and I elevate it,” he said. “There are nicer ingredients that are fresh. Our presentation is unexpected, and our flavor profiles will be unexpected.”

Check out a brief video tour of part of the Red Brick Tap and Barrel. Viewing on mobile? Turn your device horizontally for the best viewing experience. Story continues below video.

People who just want to visit for a drink will have a lot to choose from while they sit at the original circle bar from the Dry Dock, which has been restored. There are many draft beers on tap, and liquor for most any mixed cocktail.

Peterson said his staff was specially trained to serve drinks and make recommendations.

“We had a whiskey expert come in and explain different whiskies and we tried all of them, and then I had a beer expert and wine expert and we did the same,” he said. “Then we cooked the whole menu. My staff got to experience what we want our guests to experience.”

Peterson’s brother, Eric Peterson, owns the Fresh Palate, less than a block away from Red Brick. Kevin Peterson said his brother has offered him some advice and was there for the grand opening, but he has chosen to fulfill his dream of owning a restaurant on his own, with minimal assistance.

“He has been very helpful,” Kevin Peterson said. “He has been wanting to help more, but there is a lot I want to figure out on my own, too. Nobody really helped him, in a business sense, and I want to try to do that myself, too.”

As far as competition for customers, Kevin Peterson said there are enough people and appetites for both businesses to excel. He added that the business community downtown is tightly knit and often make recommendations to customers for after dinner.

“We will tell them they should go and enjoy an ice cream at (Downtown) Scoop’s or stop at Art in the Loft,” he said. “My goal is to make downtown Alpena the best it can be and to do that it is going to take all of us working together.”

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ss_alpenanews.com.