Meet the new owner of Elkhart’s Brass Elk Brewery

Two-year-old brewery changes hands, plus news on Essence, Colombo’s and Bell’s

Brass Elk Brewery’s new owner comes from northern Indiana restaurant royalty, but this is the first time the McDonnell family has a place in Elkhart County.

At the beginning of the year, Laurel Marnocha took over Brass Elk from previous owner Shane Dyer.

This is the 39-year-old’s first solo venture, but she’s been in the restaurant business since her parents Mark and Nancy McDonnell started LaSalle Grill in 1991 when she was 7 years old.

Laurel Marnocha is the new owner of Brass Elk Brewery.

It’s the family’s first foray into Elkhart County after more than three decades of operating the fine dining restaurant in downtown South Bend, and expanding the hospitality company to include LaSalle Kitchen & Tavern and a catering company.

With Brass Elk, 333 Nibco Parkway in downtown Elkhart, they get a turnkey operation with a solid location, good sales and a full staff. “Just excited to be in Elkhart County. We didn’t do anything over here.” she said.