Pull Up, Pour, Repeat—Exploring Lone Light’s Tasting Room
Lone Light Spirits blends craft cocktails with a cozy, Michigan-inspired vibe. Designer Karen Stauffer and Joe Lordon created a moody, natural space where handcrafted Sigsbee seating invites guests to sip, stay, and return for more.
If you ask Joe Lordon how Lone Light Spirits came to life, he’ll tell you it started with a gut feeling. After nearly a decade working in Detroit’s craft spirits scene, Joe knew two things: he wanted to distill his own line of spirits, and he wanted a community where small businesses weren’t just tolerated—they were the heartbeat of the town.
That search led him to downtown Farmington. “Before I even got back in my truck, I knew this was the place,” Joe said. A walkable downtown filled with historic homes, social districts, and even a raven-themed festival sealed the deal. Lone Light would be something new for the community—not competition, but an addition. A gathering space that felt like it belonged.
Michigan, Poured into the Design
Opening a tasting room isn’t just about what’s in the glass—it’s about what’s around it. For that, Joe teamed up with Karen Stauffer, a Grand Rapids designer who has a knack for translating “I want it to feel like…” into spaces people actually want to hang out in.
"Joe had such a clear vision," Karen said. "Comfortable, approachable, natural materials. He wanted warmth, a side of dark and stormy, and just enough polish to make your cocktail feel special."
The final mix? Deep green walls (Rookwood Shutter Green, for the paint nerds), warm maple details, natural textures, and lighting that glows like, well, a lone light. It’s moody without being broody. Cozy without being sleepy. The kind of place where ordering a second round feels inevitable.
Pull Up a Sigsbee Chair
Once the palette and textures were in place, it was time to tackle a crucial detail: where guests would actually sit to enjoy that first sip. Joe might know spirits inside and out, but when it came to furniture, he happily passed the mic to Karen.
“Grand Rapids Chair just fit,” Karen said. “The finishes matched the design, the quality was there, and it kept the story local, which was important.”
That choice comes to life in the Sigsbee seating family—its crafted wood frame and pill-shaped legs bringing the same handcrafted feel as the spirits behind the bar. Those thoughtful details add a custom, luxe note that deepens Lone Light’s moody vibe. The overall design hits the sweet spot Joe was after: refined enough to make a cocktail feel like an occasion, but comfortable enough to stay for a second (or third) round. And with every piece handcrafted in Michigan, the furniture feels less like an afterthought and more like part of Lone Light’s recipe.
Sip, Stay, Repeat
At the end of the day, Lone Light is about more than spirits. It’s about giving Farmington a place to gather, to taste, and to feel a little more at home. Every detail—from the cocktails to the chairs—leans into that intention.
So yes, come for the drinks. Stay for the mood, the maple, and the Michigan-made touches. Just don’t be surprised if “one drink” turns into closing time.
