Jump to content

The State of Downtown Grand Rapids Retail

GRDadof3

By GRDadof3
in Grand Rapids

 Share

Recommended Posts

Veloise City

Veloise

Posted
Posted (edited)

Local Mocha is the only place that's consistently open where you can buy (delicious) ice cream. Fantastic.

It's pretty amusing to be sitting in what's supposed to be a coffee shop, and no one is buying coffee. Wonder if Hudsonville has a cone-shaped mascot suit? I'd wear it down to BotM and lead them back, like the Pied Piper.

1248397081.jpg

Edited by Veloise
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 1.3k
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Popular Posts

RiversideGR
RiversideGR

Something cool that I didn’t see in the Crains article but woodtv picked up: “The company adds they are collaborating with the city to install a clock near the intersection at Monroe Center Stree

EastownLeo
EastownLeo

Yes, they are giving a valid reason for the failure of the business, at least to some, but the backlash is also there because they are giving a reason for closing while ignoring their own faults.  Pas

elcelc
elcelc

Since this place seems less hostile, hyperbolic and knee-jerky than every other site on the entire internet, I'll throw my 2 cents here. Original Propaganda owner: Kudos to your concept and produ

Posted Images

GRDadof3 Ecumenopolis

GRDadof3

Posted
  • Author
Posted

The former Little Bohemia storefront: last night lights were on, several youngish men (golf shirts) were wandering inside.

(You read it here first.)

That will be the next space for ActiveSite, being held during ArtPrize. You didn't read that here first. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
evkuhn Unincorporated Area

evkuhn

Posted
Posted

That will be the next space for ActiveSite, being held during ArtPrize. You didn't read that here first. :)

You beat me to it- yes were are holding the next ACTIVESITE event in that space. We were in there the other night taking down the LB stickers of the windows and doing a little cleaning up/space planning. More details will be coming about our plans for the space during ArtPrize, we were pretty excited to get that as our location.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
GRDadof3 Ecumenopolis

GRDadof3

Posted
  • Author
Posted

You'll find the same foot traffic in pretty much any northern Michigan 'tourist' destination: Charlevoix, Petoskey, Boyne City, Harbor Springs, etc... Its a whole different world in the other 3 seasons.

I've been to TC in the off-season, and its downtown is still a lot busier than Grand Rapids. I saw a lot of people buying things too (including my wife!) :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
mgreven Hamlet

mgreven

Posted
Posted

I've been to TC in the off-season, and its downtown is still a lot busier than Grand Rapids. I saw a lot of people buying things too (including my wife!) :)

I was just there this week for the first time in a long time. Have to say I was very jealous of the stores and of course, the tons of people... There were enough stores you could just walk and shop. (unlike DT which doesn't have enough) I wish there was a way to get enough stores in a row DT so you could just go downtown and "shop".

Link to comment
Share on other sites
GRDadof3 Ecumenopolis

GRDadof3

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I was just there this week for the first time in a long time. Have to say I was very jealous of the stores and of course, the tons of people... There were enough stores you could just walk and shop. (unlike DT which doesn't have enough) I wish there was a way to get enough stores in a row DT so you could just go downtown and "shop".

I'd guess there's still a waiting list for retail spots, as the retail shops there spill off onto side streets and back alleys, and are packed into every nook and cranny. It's really awesome.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
PR-15 Whistle-Stop

PR-15

Posted
Posted

I'd guess there's still a waiting list for retail spots, as the retail shops there spill off onto side streets and back alleys, and are packed into every nook and cranny. It's really awesome.

I'm sure you just green screened all those people shots in a studio to fool us that there are bustling Michigan cities...just like the moon landing fakery...you don't fool me, GRDadof3!!

:shades:

Link to comment
Share on other sites
GRDadof3 Ecumenopolis

GRDadof3

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I'm sure you just green screened all those people shots in a studio to fool us that there are bustling Michigan cities...just like the moon landing fakery...you don't fool me, GRDadof3!!

:shades:

Yes, CUE THE PEDESTRIANS, ACTION!! :shades:

*this video brought to you by Travel Michigan

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 2 weeks later...
suydam Hamlet

suydam

Posted
Posted

I've been to TC in the off-season, and its downtown is still a lot busier than Grand Rapids. I saw a lot of people buying things too (including my wife!) :)

Agreed, TC and Petoskey especially seem to hold their traffic better than you'd expect.

I've gone to TC in November (not yet snowy, no longer fall, many hotels closed) and the downtown is still humming along just fine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
RegalTDP Burg

RegalTDP

Posted
Posted (edited)

Chris Knape has an article on MLive about new plans for the Margarita Grill space:

Steve Brechting, owner of Hub's Inn at 1645 Leonard St. NW and Chef Brech Catering, has leased the former Margarita Grill, 25 Ottawa Ave. SW. He plans to transform it into 25 Kitchen & Bar.[bolds added]

"We're going for a concept that's different from anything else downtown," Brechting said.

Small plates, wood-fired pizzas, wrap sandwiches -- all with "a different twist" -- will be on the menu, he said.

An open kitchen will allow customers to interact with chefs -- Brechting will be the executive chef -- and see food being prepared.

Brechting said he plans to offer occasional live music but no dance floor.

The 16,000-square-foot space, which includes a basement that will serve as a room for banquets and private parties, is being completely gutted, he said.

Sticking with the numerical name, the menu will feature 25 international-themed pizzas, 25 draft beers and 25 specialty drinks.

The target demographic? Ages 25 and older.

"We're going for the 25 to 45 crowd," Brechting said. "Families will be welcome."

Definitely a different vision for that corner than what the Margarita Grill offered. I just wonder if it offers anything new to downtown compared to the BOB across the street, or the multitude of other dining spots.

Edited by RegalTDP
Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 1 month later...
fotoman311 Burg

fotoman311

Posted
Posted

Does anyone remember when Pallets closed?

I finally needed to get some printer ink only to find the the store has become something completely different.

You can find their former display cases at Commute Bicycle Shop. They look great and Dan said he got a great deal. I was sad when I heard they closed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 2 weeks later...
Veloise City

Veloise

Posted
Posted

Interesting stuff here in Chris' blog.

http://blog.mlive.com/knapescorner/2009/10...s_business.html

Vitamin D tanning salon. Huh.

Also, the Cinco de Mayo place is delayed due to "hang-ups with Michigan liquor control." Says that the Rockford place of the same name is related.

http://blog.mlive.com/knapescorner/2009/10...rant_in_do.html

Link to comment
Share on other sites
RegalTDP Burg

RegalTDP

Posted
Posted (edited)

It's great news, that downtown is still attracting new restaurants in this economy...

SO - That means downtown GR will have:

-A Georgio's for all the Spartan alumni.

-A Peppino's for all the Lakers.

Now we just need Bilbo's to open up a location downtown to satisfy all the Broncos.

Edited by RegalTDP
Link to comment
Share on other sites
GRDadof3 Ecumenopolis

GRDadof3

Posted
  • Author
Posted

It's great news, that downtown is still attracting new restaurants in this economy...

SO - That means downtown GR will have:

-A Georgio's for all the Spartan alumni.

-A Peppino's for all the Lakers.

Now we just need Bilbo's to open up a location downtown to satisfy all the Broncos.

Yes! With a dungeon like they used to have at their old location on W. Michigan near campus. Loved that place.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.