This month in business news: new dining and drinking establishments, including Creston Brewery, Steel Cat Bar, and a re-opening for Supermercado Mexico.
OPENING:
From an entire high school’s disbandment to the Red Jet Cafe’s disastrous fire, Creston has been through a lot of change in recent years. The owners of Creston Brewery (1504 Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids) hope to transform the northern Grand Rapids neighborhood in a more positive way, however, beginning mid-July. With a focus on community and togetherness, the CB crew wants you to feel at home (according to its website). Head on over for beer, tacos and live music once doors open. (Update: Grand Opening is August 10)
Brew Merchant (442 Washington Ave., Holland) is on track to open this month, pouring unique brews, wines and liquors for the fine folks of Holland. The space that once housed knitting store Friends of Wool will now be a small, cafe-style pub with cozy decor and a conversational atmosphere.
RIP Konkle’s Bar (1950-2016). The West Side legend exited the game earlier this year with grace (and wealth) via a buyout. Now, Steel Cat Bar (640 Bridge St. NW, Grand Rapids) has modernized the space with phone and laptop chargers at every booth, all-new interior design, and *drum roll please* Grand Rapids’ first-ever Frost Rail. What’s that, you ask? A cheap knockoff of The Polar Express? No. It’s a big ol’ bar-length strip of snow to keep your drink cold. It’s modern innovation at its finest.
After mastering the mobile-pizza game, Standard Pizza Co. has embarked on a new venture in Belding. The Kitchen (105 E. Main St., Belding) is decidedly more stationary, serving up breakfast, sandwiches and soup inside Third Wave Coffee from Tuesday to Saturday.
GROWTH:
You know that big new building with the constellation of patios jutting out over Michigan Street in Grand Rapids? Speculation over plans for the still-vacant ground floor recently came to an end as 7 Monks Taproom (740 Michigan St. NE, Grand Rapids) announced a new location. As the name might suggest, the Traverse City-based bar and restaurant is known for its impressive craft beer selection, but its gourmet burgers look killer too. This makes three locations for 7 Monks, following the June opening of a Boyne City taproom.
CLOSING:
Breton Village-staple Great Lakes Shipping Co. (2455 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids) was forced to close its doors in May. The property’s landlord, CWD Real Estate Investment, gave the tavern five months to relocate after the lease expired in December. Unable to afford a bank loan for a new location, the owners had no choice but to put the bar to rest. CWD will tear down the building later this year, likely due to its outdated appearance compared to the recent development in the area.
RENOVATIONS:
While workers overhauled the interior, Madcap Coffee (98 Monroe Center St. NW, Grand Rapids) temporarily set up shop last month in nearby graphic novel & board game emporium Vault of Midnight. Renovations lasted only a week. The updated design features a lower bar with additional seating, furniture from Anvil Goods, and even a brand new carpet. Cozy!
Supermercado Mexico (1160 Chicago Dr. SW, Wyoming) just reopened (with a ribbon cutting and everything) after seven months of renovations. A debilitating fire in November caused around $15,000 in damage to the property, mostly from smoke and water. The authentic Mexican grocery store also houses a taqueria and deli.
If you have any closings, openings or other business news for REVUE, e-mail
