The Lucky Wolf
As the recipients of a Revitalization and Placemaking 1.0 program award, Jason Deibler-Love and his late wife India transformed a former church into a café and performance venue that is bringing visitors, musicians and a sense of community to Paw Paw
Located in Paw Paw, Michigan, The Lucky Wolf – a community event space and café – is the brainchild of Jason Deibler-Love and his late wife, India. In 2021, they purchased the Paw Paw Village Playhouse, a 200-year-old former Baptist church that had been renovated into a theater in 1970. As a Michigander originally from Royal Oak, Deibler-Love and his wife moved back to Michigan from Southern California with their son Wolf to start their own business after finding out they were expecting twins.
With experience in the hotel, venue and hospitality industry for the last 25 years in cities like Los Angeles, Palm Springs, New Orleans, New York City and Austin, Deibler-Love wanted to combine his passions and background with his wife India, whose background was in coffee and managing cafes. Together, they created The Lucky Wolf.
To help bring their vision to life, the Deibler-Loves sought guidance from Mary Springer at the Paw Paw DDA, who recommended reaching out to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).
“She suggested I speak with the MEDC, Market One and Amelia Barker-King. They were all extremely helpful in steering me in the right direction,” he says. Market One provides economic development services to Cass and Van Buren counties.
In September 2022, Gov. Whitmer announced $83.8 million in statewide grants through the Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) program. Southwest Michigan First was among the subgrant program awardees, receiving $7,910,999 to support real estate development and placemaking to attract and retain talent in the region.
The Lucky Wolf received $92,591 in RAP 1.0 grant funds through a subgrant submitted by Southwest Michigan First and supported by Market One. The RAP funding supported the construction of an ADA accessible ramp, outdoor dining and café space, a coffee roasting area with a glass door to view the process from the patio and technology investments to allow hybrid entertainment events hosted on the second story theater.
“It allowed our first full operating year in 2024 to utilize our full theater systems and livestreaming options, outdoor seating and ADA access to the café,” said Deibler-Love. “Having all of this was integral in our story. I wanted to thank the MEDC for their support for our improvements at The Lucky Wolf. With the help of RAP 1.0 funds, we have been able to welcome people from all walks of life because of the improvements, including the first ADA ramp into this 1857 building! In addition, we have begun building a reputation of one of the best sounding venues our touring musicians have played at."
Looking ahead toward the future, Deibler-Love says he hopes to continue building The Lucky Wolf’s reputation while honoring the legacy of his late wife. After her death in November 2023, he founded a non-profit foundation that will host an annual film and music festival with artists from around the world each June. Learn more about India and her legacy.
Deibler-Love also hopes to develop another 200-plus-year-old building into a boutique hotel, making everything that Paw Paw and Southwest Michigan have to offer more accessible to people who want to experience the town.
As part of the 2025 Pure Michigan Governor’s Conference on Tourism, Deibler-Love was recognized during the awards presentation as among the “Stories of Inspiration,” which are designed to honor individuals and businesses who have made unique and lasting contributions to their respective communities and to Michigan’s travel and hospitality industries.
Learn how the MEDC is helping businesses across the state lead the pack.