163 replies to this topic

[GRGridGirl]

To not steal the light away from what's going on in Eastown and because I couldn't find a thread that was dedicated to East Hills, I started this one.

Yes, the business district in East Hills is thriving.  Currently the business district is at a 98% occupancy rate.  I would have to say that is one of the highest occupancy rates in any of the urban business districts in GR.  There is approx. one space available left.  The competition to get in some of the vacant spaces has been fierce.  The success of the district is from many people and organizations, past and present.  The Historic Preservation tax credits have helped.  The new brick street on Cherry, the reconstruction of Lake Drive, the ornamental lighting, the banners, the streetscape amenities and bike racks have all contributed too.  The redevelopment of the vacant corner into the East Hills Center was an incredible boost to the district.  Just a couple years ago people avoided walking by the EHC corner, now thousands of folks walk by this corner every week.  ICCF, the Green Well, and the Fairmount Square project will enhance the district more.  The density and walkable streets create a compact urban business district making it easy for patrons to shop from store to store.  The private investment in the surrounding neighborhood and increase in owner-occupied housing helps.  It's been a team effort and when there is no more space available in the EHBD, the success will trickle to neighboring business districts.  I look forward to the day when all four of Uptown's business districts are close to a 90% occupancy rate.  It will happen, it just takes time.  

To celebrate the re-opening of Cherry Street and to welcome all new businesses and nonprofits to the East Hills Business District, there is a street party in East Hills this Thursday, September 13th.  There is a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4:30pm followed by the “Shop the Universe!” street party from 5-10pm which will include an evening of:

• Shopping and entertainment at your favorite East Hills businesses on Diamond, Lake Drive, and Cherry SE
  
• Store opening celebrations at seven new businesses in East Hills
  
• Free public tours from 5-6:30pm of the West Michigan Environmental Action Council’s office at 1007 Lake Drive
  
• Green ribbons and balloons will landmark participating locations.

Here is a list of the new/recent businesses in East Hills:  (I understand that some have been mentioned before)

• Cheveux:  968 Cherry SE.  Opened August 2007.
  
• Clothing Matters:  141 Diamond SE.  Opening September 13.
  
• David & Bathsheba:  958 Lake Drive SE.  Opening September 13.
  
• Green Well:  924 Cherry SE.  Opening September 19.
  
• Lamb:  949 Cherry SE.  Opening September 13.
  
• PINK BLVD:  974 Cherry SE.  Opening September 13.
  
• Pure Studio:  972 Cherry SE.  Opened Summer 2007.
  
• Restaurant Bloom:  962 Cherry SE.  Opened March 2007.
  
• Sweet Connections:  909 Cherry SE.  Opening November 2007.  
  
• The Yoga Studio:  955 Cherry SE.  Opened May 2007.

I would have posted this info earlier, but I've been gone.

Edited by GRGridGirl, 12 September 2007 - 04:10 PM.

[Rhino6885]

Indeed...the Center of the Universe!

Edit: I just love the diverse names and types of businesses here as well.

Edited by Rhino6885, 12 September 2007 - 03:54 PM.

[twoshort]

GRGridGirl, on Sep 12 2007, 05:28 PM, said:

• Cheveux:  968 Cherry SE.  Opened August 2007.[list]
  
• Clothing Matters:  141 Diamond SE.  Opening September 13.
  
• David & Bathsheba:  958 Lake Drive SE.  Opening September 13.
  
• Green Well:  924 Cherry SE.  Opening September 19.
  
• Lamb:  949 Cherry SE.  Opening September 13.
  
• PINK BLVD:  974 Cherry SE.  Opening September 13.
  
• Pure Studio:  972 Cherry SE.  Opened Summer 2007.
  
• Restaurant Bloom:  962 Cherry SE.  Opened March 2007.
  
• Sweet Connections:  909 Cherry SE.  Opening November 2007.  
  
• The Yoga Studio:  955 Cherry SE.  Opened May 2007.

I would have posted this info earlier, but I've been gone.

Besides the yoga and bloom, would you or anyone else mind telling us all what these new businesses specialize in?

Edited by twoshort, 12 September 2007 - 05:48 PM.

[nonnekes]

twoshort, on Sep 12 2007, 06:48 PM, said:

Besides the yoga and bloom, would you or anyone else mind telling us all what these new businesses specialize in?

    * Cheveux: salon
    * Clothing Matters: moved from eastown... sustainable clothing (?)
    * David & Bathsheba: no clue
    * Green Well: gastropub (restaurant / bar)
    * Lamb: lifestyle boutique, glasses, stationery, bags, jewelry, awesomeness (tagline: life's accoutrements)
    * PINK BLVD: ladies with style's new store...
    * Pure Studio: photography studio
    * Restaurant Bloom: ...
    * Sweet Connections: sign outside says ice cream / confections / candy or something
    * The Yoga Studio: ...

[suydam]

Grid Girl, thanks for the summary of what is helping East Hills thrive!

[Rhino6885]

If I remember correctly, David and Bathsheba will be selling perfumes, lotions, etc.

[RenZone]

Rhino6885, on Sep 13 2007, 10:22 AM, said:

If I remember correctly, David and Bathsheba will be selling perfumes, lotions, etc.

The Green Well is having some benefit events prior to grand opening.  East Hills and Mixed Greens are the nonprofits benefiting.  Lelarn more at www.thegreenwell.com.

[twoshort]

seriously...

[GRGridGirl]

The following are for description use purposes for the 10 new/recent businesses in East Hills.  


Cheveux:  968 Cherry SE.  New retail personal care storefront.  A hair salon and full service spa.  Formerly located in Eastown, owner Cody Wyland relocated his business to East Hills because “it’s the place to be.”  

Clothing Matters:  141 Diamond SE.  Opening Soon.  New retail storefront, formerly located in Eastown since 1996, Clothing Matters is excited to move to their new location in East Hills.  Clothing Matters offers sustainable manufactured LogoWear, Workplace Apparel & Eco-Fashion focused on comfort and style that helps conserve natural resources and promote social equity.  

David & Bathsheba:  958 Lake Drive SE.  New retail storefront specializing in natural luxuries for bath, body, and soul by featuring organic, therapeutic, and handmade products.  According to co-owner Gail Long, “Our store works to enhance the well being of people and their community.”  

Green Well:  924 Cherry SE.  Opening September 19, 2007.  New traditional European gastro pub to open in new LEED-certified building. The Green Well offers contemporary and cutting-edge creative cuisine, local micro-brews, American craft brews, traditional European-style brews, and a four-tiered wine list.

Lamb:  949 Cherry SE.  New retail storefront offering affordable fashion accessories and contemporary home accessories from around the world.  

PINK BLVD:  974 Cherry SE.  New retail storefront offering clothes, accessories, gifts, and fashion items for women.  Formerly known as Girls With Style, stop in to see the new PINK BLVD and be amazed at how they transformed an office space into a destination retail storefront hotspot.  

Pure Studio:  972 Cherry SE.  New photography studio storefront specializing in artistic, lifestyle photography for pregnancy, newborns, children, high school seniors and family as well as creative & photojournalistic photography for weddings.

Restaurant Bloom:  962 Cherry SE.  Opened March 2007. Restaurant Bloom has received incredible fanfare from local and regional foodies.  Hosting an ever changing menu with local seasonal produce, Bloom is a great addition to the district.

Sweet Connections:  909 Cherry SE.  Opening November 2007.  New ice cream and candy shop that will feature a retail gift basket business, All Occasion Gift Baskets. Sweet Connections will offer both hand dipped and soft serve ice cream; fine Belgian chocolates and fun novelty candies.

The Yoga Studio:  955 Cherry SE.  Opened May 2007.  Grand Rapids’ oldest yoga establishment, Carolyn Heines relocated her yoga studio from Eastown to East Hills in a historic building, a storefront which features wood floors, the original brick walls and tin ceiling.  T

[markrumsey]

GRGridGirl, on Sep 13 2007, 11:42 AM, said:

The following are for description use purposes for the 10 new/recent businesses in East Hills.  
Cheveux:  968 Cherry SE.  New retail personal care storefront.  A hair salon and full service spa.  Formerly located in Eastown, owner Cody Wyland relocated his business to East Hills because “it’s the place to be.”  

Clothing Matters:  141 Diamond SE.  Opening Soon.  New retail storefront, formerly located in Eastown since 1996, Clothing Matters is excited to move to their new location in East Hills.  Clothing Matters offers sustainable manufactured LogoWear, Workplace Apparel & Eco-Fashion focused on comfort and style that helps conserve natural resources and promote social equity.  

David & Bathsheba:  958 Lake Drive SE.  New retail storefront specializing in natural luxuries for bath, body, and soul by featuring organic, therapeutic, and handmade products.  According to co-owner Gail Long, “Our store works to enhance the well being of people and their community.”  

Green Well:  924 Cherry SE.  Opening September 19, 2007.  New traditional European gastro pub to open in new LEED-certified building. The Green Well offers contemporary and cutting-edge creative cuisine, local micro-brews, American craft brews, traditional European-style brews, and a four-tiered wine list.

Lamb:  949 Cherry SE.  New retail storefront offering affordable fashion accessories and contemporary home accessories from around the world.  

PINK BLVD:  974 Cherry SE.  New retail storefront offering clothes, accessories, gifts, and fashion items for women.  Formerly known as Girls With Style, stop in to see the new PINK BLVD and be amazed at how they transformed an office space into a destination retail storefront hotspot.  

Pure Studio:  972 Cherry SE.  New photography studio storefront specializing in artistic, lifestyle photography for pregnancy, newborns, children, high school seniors and family as well as creative & photojournalistic photography for weddings.

Restaurant Bloom:  962 Cherry SE.  Opened March 2007. Restaurant Bloom has received incredible fanfare from local and regional foodies.  Hosting an ever changing menu with local seasonal produce, Bloom is a great addition to the district.

Sweet Connections:  909 Cherry SE.  Opening November 2007.  New ice cream and candy shop that will feature a retail gift basket business, All Occasion Gift Baskets. Sweet Connections will offer both hand dipped and soft serve ice cream; fine Belgian chocolates and fun novelty candies.

The Yoga Studio:  955 Cherry SE.  Opened May 2007.  Grand Rapids’ oldest yoga establishment, Carolyn Heines relocated her yoga studio from Eastown to East Hills in a historic building, a storefront which features wood floors, the original brick walls and tin ceiling.  T

Good info, mind if I steel it for my own uses?

[GRDadof3]

Shopping district welcomes retailers with party

What a great success story!  It goes to show that redevelopment, especially retail, doesn't happen "organically", but with a few big cheerleaders, a concerted marketing and recruiting effort, and a few catalyst developments (Center of the Universe and 920 Cherry).

[GRGridGirl]

markrumsey, on Sep 13 2007, 05:41 PM, said:

Good info, mind if I steel it for my own uses?

Thanks, feel free to use it.  I hope to see you soon Rumz!

On another note, the event last night was great.  Throughout the evening I would say 200+ people attended.  Lot's of positive feedback on the new shops.

[GR Jackson]

RenZone, on Sep 13 2007, 10:52 AM, said:

The Green Well is having some benefit events prior to grand opening.  East Hills and Mixed Greens are the nonprofits benefiting.  Lelarn more at www.thegreenwell.com.

A good time it was.  Very nice on the inside, well done.

[Rhino6885]

GR Jackson, on Sep 18 2007, 04:41 PM, said:

A good time it was.  Very nice on the inside, well done.

So, how was the grub?

[GR Jackson]

Rhino6885, on Sep 18 2007, 04:58 PM, said:

So, how was the grub?

Very good.  The ravioli under the quail was the best.  We agreed it was the taste of autumn.

[Nitro]

GR Jackson, on Sep 18 2007, 05:12 PM, said:

Very good.  The ravioli under the quail was the best.  We agreed it was the taste of autumn.

I agree that ravioli was very good, they could make a whole dish out of it.  The quail was pretty good too.

Today I had the Kobe burger, it was pretty good.  Very thick and juicy.  The pork tenderloin was awesome.  I didn't care for the duck quesadilla so much.  We also had the calamari which was very tasty.  

Last night at the vendor party I had the flat iron steak with creamed corn and spinach (sounds awful, but is one of the tastiest things I've ever had).  

To end it all we had the dessert that had a brownie from Zingerman's with gelato on top.  So yummy!

[twoshort]

Nitro, on Sep 18 2007, 09:49 PM, said:

I agree that ravioli was very good, they could make a whole dish out of it.  The quail was pretty good too.

Today I had the Kobe burger, it was pretty good.  Very thick and juicy.  The pork tenderloin was awesome.  I didn't care for the duck quesadilla so much.  We also had the calamari which was very tasty.  

Last night at the vendor party I had the flat iron steak with creamed corn and spinach (sounds awful, but is one of the tastiest things I've ever had).  

To end it all we had the dessert that had a brownie from Zingerman's with gelato on top.  So yummy!

I wish they had a menu online; i like to know how much its going to cost me before I commit

[Nitro]

twoshort, on Sep 19 2007, 09:13 AM, said:

I wish they had a menu online; i like to know how much its going to cost me before I commit

The most expensive plate was $19.99 that was the Flat Iron Steak.  There were three dishes at $18.99 and everything else down from there.  

There were three tiers of wine that you could buy by the glass.  Tier 1 was $2.99 a glass Tier III was $10.99 a glass.  (Hint, try the Cab in the Tier 1, very very tasty).

There are twenty beers on tap and plenty more in bottles.

The menu was basically divided into small plate meals (around $10 a plate, slightly bigger then San Chez) and large plate meals ($12-$20).

Plan on spending about the same amount of money as you would as Bistro's.  Green Well might be a wee bit less expensive.

(Poke your head in the office, I've got a menu here)

[twoshort]

Nitro, on Sep 19 2007, 12:50 PM, said:

The most expensive plate was $19.99 that was the Flat Iron Steak.  There were three dishes at $18.99 and everything else down from there.  

There were three tiers of wine that you could buy by the glass.  Tier 1 was $2.99 a glass Tier III was $10.99 a glass.  (Hint, try the Cab in the Tier 1, very very tasty).

There are twenty beers on tap and plenty more in bottles.

The menu was basically divided into small plate meals (around $10 a plate, slightly bigger then San Chez) and large plate meals ($12-$20).

Plan on spending about the same amount of money as you would as Bistro's.  Green Well might be a wee bit less expensive.

(Poke your head in the office, I've got a menu here)

Thanks!

[uncus]

Is the spot next to the Green Well now leased?  If so, who is the new tenant?