Stores that Should Open Somewhere in GR

[dbrok]

I know the topic of which stores should open has been discussed before for downtown, and the possible lifestyle center at Knapp's Corner, but what stores and restaurants would you like to see open anywhere in Grand Rapids or West Michigan?

My top three right now are P.F. Chang's, Crate & Barrel and Whole Foods. I guess IKEA would be somewhere up there, but it looks like they'll be opening one in the Detroit suburbs.

[twoshort]

I know the topic of which stores should open has been discussed before for downtown, and the possible lifestyle center at Knapp's Corner, but what stores and restaurants would you like to see open anywhere in Grand Rapids or West Michigan?

My top three right now are P.F. Chang's, Crate & Barrel and Whole Foods. I guess IKEA would be somewhere up there, but it looks like they'll be opening one in the Detroit suburbs.

We need a Mitchell's Fish Market.

[sstroh]

I would definately like to see a Whole Foods. Other ideas would be like a Nordstroms / Macy's type store. I have heard that IKEA is really cool, but have not yet been to one, so one of those would be good too.

As far as restuarants...hard to say 'cuz I like so many and really enjoy the unique, individually owned ones versus the chains. (Though I have had PF Changs and it is fabulous!)

[dbrok]

We need a Mitchell's Fish Market.

Is this the restaurant you're talking about? I haven't heard of it, but it looks like it would be good, and they have live music. Have you been to the one in Detroit?

[twoshort]

Is this the restaurant you're talking about? I haven't heard of it, but it looks like it would be good, and they have live music. Have you been to the one in Detroit?

I was referring to this restaurant: Mitchell's Fish Market. No live music that I know of. I've been to the one in lansing and maybe the one in Livonia, I can't remember. It's DELICIOUS. It is grouped with Bravo and The Claddagh in both lansing in and livonia although they aren't owned by the same people. Perhaps the owners are friends. All 3 can come to GR and it would be fine by me, they're all great.

[Prankster]

H&M, the Swedish clothes store equivalent of IKEA.

[ericnmu]

I'll add my 2 cents.

I'd like to see a Ikea and Fry's Electronics.

[allbusiness]

I would enjoy a Margaritaville restaurant (Jimmy Buffett's place). But since they only open in resort oriented cities, I'd settle for a Cheeseburger in Paradise hamburger joint, just for the fun of it.

http://www.cheeseburgerinparadise.com/index.asp

Kalamazoo has one.

[aheights15]

I could go for a Trader Joe's...

[EastownBoy]

I would like to see a California Pizza Kitchen CPK

[grcitydog]

Yes, Trader Joe's! Right now we have to drive all the way to Ann Arbor for the closest one. I guess they will be opening a few more soon in Michigan, but on the east side of the state. I think we could easily support one here.

[GaryP]

Diesel

[MJLO]

the pf changs dream is not far off, look for them on 44th in the rivertown area of course, the ever exploding developement at Knapps corners. And if the retail gets a little nicer, look for one possibly on north alpine. The other rumor about changs is at Waterfall shops on the nice part of 28th.

I'll second a CPK, raise you a Dave and Busters. GR Metro is to Small for an IKEA, Macy's will be here within months, as Marshall Fields has been purchased by Federated.

All in all I think when this high end retail center hits' GR twp. You'll see an influx of nice retailers maybe even a nordstroms. I hate having to drive to Troy just to shop at one in Michigan.

[snoogit]

H&M, the Swedish clothes store equivalent of IKEA.

so they want you to sew your own clothes?

[MAU]

GR Metro is to Small for an IKEA

Actually, when Ikea was going over their plans for global domination about two years ago they had planned on putting a store on 28th street but they wanted to get the one in the Detroit area first. Because it became such a battle to get the store in the Detroit burbs and took longer than they planned, the GR store seems to have gotten nixed.

As for me, i'd LOVE to see a Whole Foods.

[dbrok]

As for me, i'd LOVE to see a Whole Foods.

Let Whole Foods know: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/contact/index.html

They have a form for new store suggestions. Maybe if we have enough people expressing interest from UP, we can have an impact.

[twoshort]

Let Whole Foods know:

Done

[MAU]

Let Whole Foods know

You better believe i have been for a while now!

[Prankster]

so they want you to sew your own clothes?

Boy, there is one in every crowd, isn't there?

[GRDadof3]

Let Whole Foods know: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/contact/index.html

They have a form for new store suggestions. Maybe if we have enough people expressing interest from UP, we can have an impact.

I haven't sent them an e-mail in a couple of months. Maybe time to start writing again.

[sstroh]

Do you think if we inundate Whole Foods with requests to come here.....they will actually come?

Build it and they will come....

[GaryP]

Whole Foods operates a brand under the same name. It may be easier to just request their products from the grocers that are already here.

[GRDadof3]

You'd be surprised what a few articulate e-mails can accomplish. Just look at the changes to the Marriott

At least when a broker did call the Whole Foods real estate contact, he would already have Grand Rapids on the brain

[baronium]

I'd also like to see Whole Foods. I've emailed them a couple times. Maybe I should send another.

[dbrok]

Maybe we can put together a petition and get signatures from residents around the city and mail it to them (I'm only half joking). I really think that if we push it enough, we will have some influence, just like the altered Mariott design that GRDad mentioned.