A Roundup of Openings, Closings and other Local Business News
Enter the world of Blake Webber.
Seemingly born on the Internet just over five years ago, the self-proclaimed “vape god” emerged out of a cloud of smoke on Instagram. Then known as Blake Vapes, his early posts included a “documentary” where he boasts about his vaping skills and lifestyle, frequently blowing plumes from his e-cigarette while espousing his equally lofty mantras in a voice somewhere between South Park’s Eric Cartman and your average frat bro.
Lee & Birch was just voted Best Women’s Clothing store in Revue’s Best of the West, as well as another local publication. Two major wins means you’ve got to give the people what they want: More Lee & Birch. Founding owner/president Nikki Gillette and co-owner Kristin Nipke are doing just that, adding another location to their already bustling businesses.
Indie folk-rock stars The Lumineers are coming to Grand Rapids early next year.
Our new favorite vintage shop teaches us how to modernize retro looks.
July was a good month for cannabis policy reformers in Michigan who saw a flurry of positive administrative and legislative proposals.
OPEN
Metro Grand Rapids opened last month with the goal of changing the city’s music industry forever. The new venue at 1901 S. Division Ave. — previously occupied by Yester Years Lounge — was created specifically to act as a launching pad for West Michigan’s up-and-coming musicians of all genres. Metro has 20 beers on tap, a “concise” kitchen menu and an outdoor patio.
"Elegance is refusal.”— Coco Chanel
This simple idea couldn’t be more appropriate for this year’s shopping results. Reaching the pinnacle of fashion while editing and refining our style means saying “no” to many ideas (fast-fashion, tacky trends) and yes to a select few. If you’re seeking elegance in this town and looking for beauty that’s effective and straightforward, we can point you toward our winners list.
Get ready to rock and swig — Foreigner is making a very special appearance in Grand Rapids at Broad Leaf Local Beer on August 10.
Jim Lower — who has worked his way up from Home Depot employee, legislative staffer, village manager, county commissioner and now state representative — was campaign-ready when he greeted Revue recently at a downtown Lansing coffee shop.
Just when you thought you couldn’t stomach one more T-shirt, Ashley Trieu, owner at Iconoclasp gets bored and has a clearly creative idea.
