The Boat
Remodel underway and expected to be completed in September 2012.
The Story of the Kearsarge
Designed by Washington Irving Babcock and built for the Interlake Transportation Company in 1892, the KEARSARGE operated for her owners and on a part-time charter for the Western Transit Company until 1907. Then she was sold and, for roughly 30 years, became a part of the Canada-Atlantic Transit Company. From the late 1930's until after World War II she lay dormant in Chicago. She was then partially scrapped and her hull was acquired by Sabadish Brothers Dredging Company and the stern was converted into barge 225.
1989 Barge 225 began the process of being converted into a restaurant by Pufferbelly Restaurants. On September 15, 1992, the 100th anniversary of the original christening, she was opened as the Hornblower's Barge and Grill. Finally, in January of 2009, LeanDog moved in and the boat has become one of the most unique Agile studios anywhere. Talk about refactoring ... ;)
The Remodel
The Airport
Since we've grown and the boat is under remodel, we now have space at Burke Lakefront Airport (BKL). It's just a short walk from the boat to Gate 2;a bright open space. We have a climbing wall in the kitchen, umbrellas hang from the ceiling to help reduce the glare, and there are runway lights on the floor.
The airport is situated right on the shore of Lake Erie and has a retro vibe. On the ground floor there are old planes and uniforms that are part of the International Women's Air & Space Museum.
