Mattawan has rural scenery and a small dining hub
Mattawan is one of two villages within Michigan’s Antwerp Township. The community is surrounded by farmland and woods and also has its own dining and shopping hub. The historic block around Front and Main streets has businesses ranging from an ice cream parlor and brewpub to hair studios and a women’s clothing boutique. Mattawan is also among the few places in the Antwerp area with new housing. “It’s a nice little suburb of Kalamazoo and Portage,” says Jared Stout, a Realtor with eXp Realty. “But you still have a fast line, with the highway, to get into Kalamazoo and Portage. So, it’s for somebody looking to stay close to work, if they work in Kalamazoo and Portage but still want more of a rural feel.”
Bedroom community with New Traditional homes and Colonial Revivals
The neighborhoods here have mature spruce and oak trees. Prospective buyers will also find extra room as many lots are over a half-acre. Housing in the village includes ranch-style homes, split-levels, bi-levels and Craftsman bungalows. The village also has modern Traditional, Craftsman and Colonial Revival homes, with many built in the 2020s. Costs mainly go from about $200,000 to $450,000, but the larger and newer options run between $600,000 and $840,000. “It’s grown into a strong bedroom community for the Kalamazoo area,” says Paul McIntyre, a Realtor with Five Star Real Estate.
Coffee, Asian fusion and craft beers along Main and Front
Happy Days Cafe is a morning staple and one of several eateries along Main Street. The cafe keeps books for patrons looking to do some reading as they enjoy their coffee. Chinn Chinn is a bistro serving a fusion of Chinese, Korean and other Asian cuisine with authentic decor like folding fans and paper lanterns. Bird Dog off of Front Street prepares fresh fare ranging from raw oysters and pear salads to crab melts. “It’s really good food,” McIntyre says. “I would say it’s got a sophisticated big city vibe.” Bird Dog neighbors the Murray Street Brewing Company, where the taproom runs in a repurposed red barn. Wagoner’s Your Hometown Food Store is the community’s grocer.
Exploring the Portman Nature Preserve and its diverse habitats
Mattawan Park provides a respite in the historic block off Front and Main. The site features a playground, a few tree-shaded areas and a World War II monument. Other outdoor getaways include the Portman Nature Preserve, which spans 189 acres of protected habitats. Woods and wetlands make up some of the habitats, and the preserve tends to draw nature walkers, joggers, birdwatchers and even snowshoers during the winter.
New athletic additions coming to Mattawan High
The village is home to Mattawan Early Elementary School, which gets a B from Niche and teaches students from kindergarten to second grade. Mattawan Later Elementary gets an A-minus and enrolls third to fifth graders. Those students may then attend Mattawan Middle and Mattawan High, which both receive A-minus grades from Niche. Ongoing district activities include a $110 million project to renovate Mattawan High’s football stadium and add facilities like an aquatic center and fieldhouse.
Tasting wines at Cody Kresta’s annual Fall Festival
Mattawan is 5 miles south of the Cody Kresta Vineyard & Winery, a family operation known for handcrafted wines. The winery’s annual Fall Festival brings many to its 19th-century homestead to enjoy tastings, food and live music. The event occurs on various dates each year; the 2024 edition took place a few days before Halloween.
Conveniently positioned for I-94 commute to Kalamazoo
Mattawan is 15 miles west of downtown Kalamazoo. In addition to being located along Interstate 94, Mattawan is the closest Antwerp-area community to Kalamazoo. “It makes that commute a little bit lighter than the Lawton commute,” Stout says, referring to the other village in Antwerp. “That’s probably the main reason it’s bigger than Lawton.” Located 13 miles east, the Kalamazoo Battle Creek International Airport is the region’s hub for commercial flights. The Bronson LakeView Hospital in Paw Paw is the nearest major medical facility. Newcomers to this part of the country should also invest in snow clearing equipment as massive lake-effect snowfalls do hit the area.
