DeVos Family Headquarters (Old 5/3 building)

[GVSUChris]

So a while back I mentioned on here that there was a permit for a convenience store in this project but I couldn't figure anything out about it. Then this morning I was reading about urban development in other mid-sized cities and I came across a story about Dollar General doing a concept called "DGX," which is their "upmarket" shops in mid-sized downtowns. So I went back and looked at the permit and it says "DGX Grand Rapids," which is exactly how they brand their stores. They are very interesting concepts, and while I don't love Dollar General, I recognize some of that is my own embedded classism and as I think about this retail spot, I think this is actually a decent amenity for downtown. I'm including pics of other DGX stores. Looking forward to this being formally announced. 

 

[joeDowntown]

So DGX is in the retail portion along Lyon? I think a store like this will do great. I went to a conference where Dollar General spoke and they are REALLY good understanding data, store by store. It’d be a great addition!

Joe

[Khorasaurus1]

Going from a blank block wall to a badly needed convenience store/small grocery is a massive, massive win. Wow. 

[Sparty97]

Any word on the Brazilian steakhouse that was originally planned/announced? I've not seen much about it recently.  

 

[GRDadof3]

41 minutes ago, Sparty97 said:

Any word on the Brazilian steakhouse that was originally planned/announced? I've not seen much about it recently.  

 

I saw something on FB about it maybe a month ago. I'll see if I can find it. Here it is.

https://www.facebook.com/downtowngrandrapidsinc/posts/5122953807746579

[wingbert]

On 1/24/2021 at 4:22 PM, GVSUChris said:

So a while back I mentioned on here that there was a permit for a convenience store in this project but I couldn't figure anything out about it. Then this morning I was reading about urban development in other mid-sized cities and I came across a story about Dollar General doing a concept called "DGX," which is their "upmarket" shops in mid-sized downtowns. So I went back and looked at the permit and it says "DGX Grand Rapids," which is exactly how they brand their stores. They are very interesting concepts, and while I don't love Dollar General, I recognize some of that is my own embedded classism and as I think about this retail spot, I think this is actually a decent amenity for downtown. I'm including pics of other DGX stores. Looking forward to this being formally announced. 

 

While I’m not a big Dollar General fan, I do applaud their investment in this much needed retail presence in the heart of the city and I wish them well.  It’s unfortunate it isn’t a west Michigan retail organization making this happen.  Feels like a missed opportunity.

[GVSUChris]

https://www.woodtv.com/news/grand-rapids/old-kent-bank-redevelopers-bring-dgx-store-to-downtown-gr/

[Cookin_peacocks]

Its really coming along

[cstonesparty]

On 3/12/2021 at 9:38 PM, Cookin_peacocks said:

Its really coming along

Sure makes the 5/3 building look bad...

[GRDadof3]

On 3/12/2021 at 9:38 PM, Cookin_peacocks said:

Its really coming along

Really? I feel like it's been stuck at that point for quite a few months now. 

Any word on if the Brazilian steak house is still happening there? 

[mpchicago]

On 3/15/2021 at 5:16 PM, GRDadof3 said:

Really? I feel like it's been stuck at that point for quite a few months now. 

Any word on if the Brazilian steak house is still happening there? 

It's my understanding that the Brazilian Steak House is still a go.

[joeDowntown]

Photos from today. I like that they used a different colored brick to break up the facade:

 

 

[Cookin_peacocks]

Got a picture of them putting in trees and landscape today

 

 

[Cookin_peacocks]

Work continues and this looks better every day

[Cookin_peacocks]

[GRDadof3]

I was just going to post something about this. I really can't believe a Dollar General is going in next to a fancy Brazilian Steak House. I drove by today and Dollar General is stocking shelves and "Now Hiring".

https://www.facebook.com/downtowngrandrapidsinc/posts/5806723879369565

[GR_Urbanist]

In some ways it gives me a little "big city" vibes. When I visited NYC in 2018 or Seattle a few years before, it was so common, and threw me for a loop, to see convenience chains next to some really fancy establishments. It's really a bit of that "24/7" (ish) downtown vision people had for years.....at least on that block. .

I really love that the DGX is really going to see some serious foot traffic, though.

 

[joeDowntown]

Which space is the DGX going into. Is it the space with the white brick facade?

Joe

[GRDadof3]

On 5/28/2021 at 8:40 PM, joeDowntown said:

Which space is the DGX going into. Is it the space with the white brick facade?

Joe

The one furthest East, with the brown and tan brick. 

On 5/28/2021 at 8:00 PM, GR_Urbanist said:

In some ways it gives me a little "big city" vibes. When I visited NYC in 2018 or Seattle a few years before, it was so common, and threw me for a loop, to see convenience chains next to some really fancy establishments. It's really a bit of that "24/7" (ish) downtown vision people had for years.....at least on that block. .

I really love that the DGX is really going to see some serious foot traffic, though.

 

That is interesting. When I think of Dollar General, I think of every poor run down town in rural Northern Michigan. And old strip malls in Kentwood/wyoming. 

I would've preferred to see a small pharmacy but whatevs. 

[Cookin_peacocks]

Different view showing how this will interact with the area

 

 

[joeDowntown]

Interesting. I can't tell if the tables on top of Texas de Brazil will be open to the public, or if that's a private roof for RDV. Anyone know?

Joe

[numstead]

18 hours ago, Cookin_peacocks said:

Different view showing how this will interact with the area

 

 

It sure looks like they took (I know they didn't) my 2009 Thesis proposal for the Monroe side of Vandenberg Center and applied it to the Lyon side...

 

 

Edited June 3, 2021 by numstead

[joeDowntown]

That is really similar. Ahead of your time. 

Now I'd just like to see you US Postal Service idea put into place (not at this site, but somewhere else).

[joeDowntown]

Drove by yesterday and Lyon is going to seem so much more pedestrian friendly once the project is done. 
 

[joeDowntown]

There going to be putting a 16 foot Jaume Plensa sculpture on the corner of Monroe and Lyon. He’s one of my favorite sculptors. His work will also be part of “Utopia”, which opens at the Meijer Gardens in November, and he designed the crown fountain in Millenium Park (Chicago). It’ll be a pretty significant piece of art downtown. 

https://www.grmag.com/look-feel/downtown-grand-rapids-to-receive-sculpture-promoting-unity-diversity/

Joe