Holland has developed two major events that bring big crowds to party in the downtown shopping district. The Street Performer Series runs every Thursday from June 10 to August 26. This summer, you will be able to see more than 50 local, national, and international performers in 20 locations. They will include musicians, balloon artists, face painters, theatrical troupes, break dancers, magicians, jugglers, acrobats, and stilt walkers. Remember to tip GENEROUSLY!
GrooveWalk showcases music for every taste-80s, blues, country, hip-hop, jazz, reggae, rockabilly, and more-in hip venues like restaurants, pubs, and theatres. Thousands of people flood downtown for Groovewalk, which will be held April 24-25 and October 16-17, 2010. "We created GrooveWalk in 2008 to promote downtown Holland as a nightlife destination," said Mimi Fritz, Downtown Holland's marketing director.
After partying downtown, get a cup of organic Java at Lemonjello's Coffee (61 E 9th St). The big city-style coffee shop is always buzzing. "We see ourselves as a community center," said Owner Matthew Scott. Customers range from students at Hope College to people working downtown. The talented baristas take pride in accurately serving fairly traded coffee and espresso drinks that are delicious. "Lemonjello's is also one of the longest running all-ages music venues in Michigan," Scott said. With its Friday evening shows, the shop hopes to introduce people to music that is sincere and beyond fashion with a pop sensibility. Recent acts include Mosquito Fleet from Marion, Ind. and Call Me Anadarko from Chicago. Cover is only $3.
The Holland Peanut Store (46 E. 8th St) is just as passionate about perfectly roasted nuts. Joseph Fabiano started the small nut shop in 1902 and the Fabianos have proudly worked in the shop ever since. His great-great granddaughter Paula Fabiano and her sisters and a brother currently run the Holland Peanut Store. "Everyone in the family participates," said Fabiano proudly. The shop is known for its freshness. "Candy is an affordable luxury. A little something sweet makes you feel happy," said Fabiano. Her brother Tom roasts more than 25 types of raw nuts, and their parents are retired. This means they only work as the chief chocolatiers, dipping the nuts in top-shelf white, dark, and milk chocolates. The store also offers hard-to-find candy like Mallo Cups and Necco Wafers. After asking about this reporter's ethnicity ("You're a paisan!"), Fabiano said, "In a nutshell, we treat the customer like family. Holland has supported us through thick and thin."
The Boatwerks Water Front Restaurant (216 Van Raalte Avenue) has many ways to satisfy your hunger. Boatwerks has a relaxed elegance and unhurried service that reminds one of simpler times. Grab a lakeside table, enjoy a spectacular sunset, and tuck into one of the restaurant's specialties. Boatwerks is known for its Tournedos Alaskan, including six ounces of pan seared beef tenderloin medallions topped with shrimp, sea scallops, and premium crabmeat. It's served with fresh green beans and finished with Béarnaise sauce.
Despite its cautious reputation, Holland is emerging as a foodie destination. Start your feast at Montello Meat Market (746 Michigan Ave). This old-fashioned butcher shop, named after Holland's Montello Park, opened 45 years ago. It moved to its current location in the mid-80s and is now owned by Tony Larson. Montello is known for locally raised, grass-fed, dry-aged, hormone-free beef. "We care about how the meat is treated at the farm and in our store," he said. Customers come in with recipes from the Food Channel or Cook's Illustrated that call for cuts not found in the supermarket. "We can match up the cuts or suggest other options," Larson said.
Take your kitchen skills to the next level at Nectar Gourmet (305 E. Central Ave, Zeeland). Chef Susan Bartolomei taught healthy cooking techniques while operating a successful catering business. She merged these passions by hosting cooking classes in her historic home. Nectar offers a wide variety of classes to suit all skill levels and learning styles. Topics include Basic Patisserie, Guys and Pies, and Simply Soups. Held in her professional kitchen, the two-hour classes begin with a demonstration by Chef Susan. Then students begin preparing their part of the meal. Everyone feasts at the end. "Holland is becoming more adventuresome," said Bartolomei. "People want to delve into global cuisines and try new techniques."
Parrots Lounge (234 South River Avenue) will satisfy your more primal thirsts. A college bar and local hangout, Parrots reminds you of what you'll find at a Big Ten School. "There's nothing like it in town," said Owner Bob Poole. The bar has Holland's only beer pong table, specials every night, a pool table, and patio seating in front and an outdoor bar in back during the summer. DJs spin the wheels of steel Thursday through Saturday nights. And there's mad drama when theological earnestness meets $2 bottles of Schlitz and Old Style on Thursdays. The sassy Miss Carolita's favorite drink is the Dirty Bird - Raspberry Stoli, 7-Up, cranberry juice, and Watermelon Pucker schnapps.
More refined palates will appreciate New Holland Brewing Company (66 East 8th Street). New Holland has grown from a scrappy two-man startup in 1996 to a thriving regional microbrewery. In 2005, it installed a 50-barrel Huppman brewhouse that was bought from a centuries-old German brewery, which allowed the brewery triple production. New Holland also brews beer and distills spirits in its pub, a former hardware store that oozes charm. The pub's menu is top-notch with excellent pizzas, sandwiches, and soups. Most of the beers on tap are small-batch specialty brews only found at the pub. Ask to take a tour of the pub's distillery, where the brewers make its Zeppelin Bend Straight Whiskey. You can also tour New Holland's production brewery (690 Commerce Ct) on Saturday afternoons for $5. Complimentary tastings may include a glass of Full Circle, a nicely balanced kölsch-style beer.
That beer is named after Full Circle Records (212 College Ave), which operates around the corner from New Holland. This hole-in-the wall record store has a little bit of everything. It is the only source in town for vinyl, which has seen a huge resurgence with music lovers. It has a wall of cassettes, DVDs, and stacks of old receivers. "It may look like a mish-mash, but we know where everything is," said Steve, the owner. He orders new music every day and watches Web sites like pitchfork.com to look for up-and-coming bands. "Terrestrial radio is killing music," Steve said. "We can lead customers to the bands they are looking for." Not only does Full Circle educate its customers, the staff also gives relationship advice. Try that at amazon.com.
My friend Ms. P. is one of those sophisticated Hollanders with an understated sense of style. She recommended Karla's Place (37 East 8th St). Karla's is a gift boutique tucked inside Tree House Bookstore and features local and national designers. Think etsy.com-type stuff, but with personal service. "We have gifts that will make you smile," said Karla Scheifele. She is extremely friendly and has a story for every item in her shop. She sells adorable $2 pewter charms made by a former graphic designer who remembered taking a jewelry class as an 8-year-old. She also sells handmade mittens made from recycled sweaters, and flirty scarves made from recycled t-shirts. Another designer turned nine greeting cards made on her kitchen table into a multi-million stationary business. You can find her new line of necklaces at Karla's Place.
Children big and small will enjoy Cobblestone Crafts & Hobbies (210 Central Ave). At 5,000 square feet, Cobblestone is the largest hobby shop in West Michigan. It offers a full line of radio controlled helicopters, replica plastic model kits, model rockets, model trains, and board games. "People are amazed when they walk in," said Owner Bob Harvey. "They aren't used to seeing such a variety of fun things to do and make all in one place." Poppa Steve wasted many hundreds of dollars from his paper route in hobby shops, making things that went fast, looked fast, and could blow himself up. Take your children to Cobblestone and spend some quality time with them. The memories will be priceless.
Miss Carolita says the entire family will enjoy the Holland Aquatic Center (550 Maple Ave). Holland has had a community pool since the late 1960s. The current facility became independent and expanded in the 1990s. Two blocks from downtown and next to Holland Hospital, the 86,000-square-foot facility is the perfect place for group outings, school field trips, and healthy family fun. It includes a 50-meter pool, a three-story, triple-spiral water slide, water playground, and aqua challenge obstacle course. The therapy pool is relaxing and kids will enjoy the splash zone with its numerous slides and water toys. The center's non-resident rates are $5.75 adults and $4.75 youths and seniors.
Now go "hang out" in Holland and have fun in this cool and convenient town. It will be worth the trip.
