Another year down, and despite economic challenges, West Michigan’s local scene is looking as strong as ever.
From cozy neighborhood cafés to sleek new boutiques and inventive restaurants, 2025 brought a wave of fresh energy to our cities and towns. As we close out the year, we’re taking a look back at all the new spots that have opened their doors—places that have already started shaping the way we eat, shop, and connect in our community.
OPENINGS
Garden District took over the former home of Monsoon at 55 Monroe Center St. NW, Grand Rapids. Opened by a husband and wife duo, this new eatery offers a tastes of New Orleans with Cajun and Creole cuisine, such as Etouffee, Gumbo Yaya and Jambalaya.
The owners of Pinktail Poke inside the Downtown Market have decided to make a change, and shifted the space to Rudy’s Sub Shop (435 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids), named after owner Jeffrey Butzow’s daughter. They’re fresh, made-to-order, classic subs, like Turkey & Provolone or the Market Club, and they come in three sizes: Rudy Size, Mom Size, Dad Size.
SILVA has arrived on the north end of downtown at 975 Ottawa NW, Grand Rapids, making a splash with its unique dinnertainment concept. The restaurant regularly has performers roaming the dining room, in addition to darts and billiards, with a lot more planned—a bocce ball room is coming soon, with a large event space further down the road.
Love pickleball? How about golf? The two come together at the new Pickle & Pin, now open at 662 Leonard St. NW, Grand Rapids. They have multiple pickleball courts, with Glo Ball on Friday and Saturday nights, in addition to golf simulators and a full bar.
Holland got a new climbing gym with the opening of Shift Climbing at 12345 James St., inside the Westshore mall. Head in for 5,100 square feet of climbing terrain for bouldering, unique tiltable walls, a café, and an extremely welcoming and dedicated staff.
Wealthy Street welcomed Niksi Home & Floral (708 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids), a cute new boutique full of locally sourced flowers, colorful artisanal goods, vintage finds and plant care essentials. The store originally opened downtown attached to the Studio Park Marketplace but moved at the end of November.
In Muskegon, Casa Cabos joined the new Lumberman’s Vault food hall at 221 W. Webster Ave, serving up delicious Mexican fare like quesadillas, burritos, tortas, birria and more. They join Soul Filled in the space, which offers soul food like chicken & waffles or shrimp & grits. Three more restaurants will be coming soon!
If you’re a knitter, crocheter or other fiber artist—experienced or just starting—head to Unwind, a new shop at 1059 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids. Opened by two former art teachers, they offer tons of classes, workshops and events for all ages, alongside a large selection of yarn, hooks, needles, patterns and more.
As you likely saw on social media, Pages & Peonies had its grand opening at 2751 Alpine Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, drawing a long, long line down the street on a 95F day. The heat was fitting for this new “spicy” bookstore, which offers a wide selection of romance novels, including from indie and self-published authors (such as store co-owner, Sarah Ellison).
At 2240 28th Street, Grand Rapids, you’ll now find the fittingly named Bring Back Analog, a store entirely dedicated to buying, selling and repairing vintage audio equipment. High-quality amps, speakers, cassette decks, VHS players, turntables—they have it all, not to mention the expertise of owner and audiophile Steve Huizenga.
Morning Ritual has moved into its new space downtown at 150 Ottawa Ave. NW, across the corner from Kendall College. This beloved coffee shop is known for floral/herbal drinks, vegan eats, live music and good vibes.
Kalamazoo gained a new excellent farm-to-table brunch destination in the form of Greenhouse Café (505 E. North Street), which offers a locally sourced menu featuring their popular chilaquiles, seasonal specials, made-to-order omelets, and fresh coffee.
Out in Kentwood, you can find authentic and delicious Mexican food at El Burrito Gigante, which opened doors at S. 5524 Division Ave. They have burritos, gorditas, tortas, quesadillas, hamburguesas, agua fresca, strawberry horchata and more.
New to the Downtown Market is Go Vegan GR, a 100% plant-based shop with healthy and convenient options—including vegan burgers, “chicken” and “fish” sandwiches, veggie wraps, jackfruit subs, sides and more.
Wise Men Distillery downtown (inside the McKay Tower) has essentially returned as Twisted Tap Distillery, working collaboratively to offer locally made spirits with a heavy emphasis on the maple and black walnut flavors that Twisted Tap is known for.
Maru Sushi on Bridge Street has been replaced with Kawa Sushi & Bar, which expanded from its original location in Rockford. Nigiri, sashimi, rolls, ramen, fried rice, entrees, drinks—they have it all.
Pasta restaurant and wine bar Reserve in Downtown Grand Rapids has been reborn as Allora, which features fresh coastal Italian cuisine, with “elevated but down-to-earth preparations of a seafood-forward menu, including unique, reimagined takes on pastas, proteins, coastal Italian classics, and more.”
Enjoy authentic Brazilian cuisine at the first such eatery in Grand Rapids: PAC Brazilian Restaurant, now open at 44th Street SW, Wyoming. They have empanadas, coxinha, picanha (grilled steak), flatbreads, burgers and more.
A new coworking space opened at Cottage on Turner (429 Turner Ave. NW, Grand Rapids). Tired of working from home? Missing some community? This beautiful historic home has been turned into a coworking space by Mallory Root of Roots Brew Shop and friend Kate Avery. Get a membership to work in the common space, reserve your own desk or even get your own office.
Filling the shoes of Aperitivo at the Downtown Market (435 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids), Squibb Coffee Bar has opened Sav Sav. More than just a cheese and wine shop, Sav Sav offers coffee, a full wine bar serving pours from local and international wineries, select beer and specialty beverages, a robust cheese counter, a reputable coffee bar, and a retail space stocked with curated products.
Cats and coffee—what’s better than this? Whisker Room Café brings both to Muskegon at 926 2nd St. An extension of The Arc of the Lakeshore, they are committed to creating opportunities by hiring individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and to providing a unique space for our whiskered friends to find their forever homes. Stop in to enjoy a brew and/or spend an hour hanging out with lovely furry friends.
In Studio Park, you’ll now find the second location for Earthly Refillery (122 Oakes St. SW, Grand Rapids). This zero waste bulk shop offers eco-friendly household products for refillable containers, such as shampoo, dish soap, beans, grains, coffee, tea, oil, honey, snacks and seasonings—alongside local produce and dairy products.
Following its years-long success in Grand Haven that led to a second community in Rockford, The Toasted Pickle has opened in Grand Rapids, right on the Medical Mile at 820 Michigan St. NE, Grand Rapids. As the name implies, this sandwich shop has plenty of pickle-centric offerings, but there are plenty of burgers, chicken sandwiches, salads and sides even if you hate brine.
Get a taste of Grandma Gladys’ cooking at Gladys Grille, now open at 1167 Madison Ave., Grand Rapids. Opened by proud granddaughter Jeannica Garmon, the menu offers home cooking passed down through the family like peach cobbler and fried chicken, along with burgers, sandwiches, meatloaf, mac & cheese, and more.
Where once stood the eatery with our favorite name of all time, Sanitary Seafood, now stands 616 Batter Mix (2468 Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids). This new spot from the owners of 616 Kabob Stop has similar offerings to its predecessor, with fried chicken, fried fish, wings, sub rolls, and of course, tons of tasty sides.
The former GrandVilla has been reimagined and reborn as Villa Bar & Banquet and The Dungeon Bar.
In one location at 3594 Chicago Dr., Grandville, you’ll find both the elegant banquet hall event space of Villa Bar (which seats up to 300) and the “intimate, seductive, moody” cocktail lounge of The Dungeon, which also offers a wide variety of food.
If you love local art—and you should—Blue House Art Square is a lovely new little haven for you. At 7267 Thornapple River Dr. in Ada, next to the Tuesday Farmers Market, you’ll find five adorably charming sheds filled with work from 14 local artists, from paintings to fiber art, clay figurines, jewelry, glasswork, clothing and more.
The Elevated Market has leveled up with a new location at 955 Godfrey Ave. SW, Grand Rapids, hosting more than 75 vendor and artisan spaces with a huge variety of vintage home décor, furniture, clothing, and more—including a bookroom with cozy seating! The 25,000-square-foot space is also meant to be accessible, with an elevator and a large, free parking lot.
Pickleball and Wiffle Ball are finally seeing their day in the sun, and Dinks & Dingers Social Club has opened at 5080 Broadmoor, Kentwood to celebrate that. They have indoor and outdoor pickleball courts and Wiffle Ball fields for fun, casual play in a lively atmosphere. Not your games of choice? You can also play cornhole, shuffleboard and ping pong, or simply sit at the full restaurant and bar to enjoy food and drinks all day long.
Up Leaf Café expanded to Muskegon at 221 W. Webster Ave., down the road from the Muskegon Museum of Art, after the success of its original Holland location. They’re known for Asian fusion cuisine like Korean beef bowls, rice wrapper rolls, smoothies and plant-based energy drinks.
CHANGES
Blue Dog Tavern (638 Stocking Ave. NW, Grand Rapids) completed its kitchen renovation and expanded with a sizeable, yet cozy, enclosed outdoor patio, just in time for summer. Enjoy some hot dogs, beer and boozy slushies out in the open air. And of course: Dogs are more than welcome.
Downtown GR’s OTONO (25 S. Division Ave.) expanded by opening a café, open everyday from 8 am to 6 pm. Stop into this casual secondhand clothing and home goods shop for a pick-me-up with espresso drinks, drip coffee and pour overs to choose from.
Le Macaron Grand Rapids is now Sugar Bar Sips & Sweets. This downtown eatery at 132 Monroe Center St. NW offers a bar as well, thanks to a rebrand, remodel and new liquor license. Stop in for pastries, cake, chocolate bars and a drink.
Grand Vin (15 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids) expanded with a new wine lounge! Their 600-square-foot shop now offers wine by the glass or bottle, grab and go snacks, and rotating beer/cider—with cozy seats to enjoy it all.
Farewell to wine and amaro bar Post Off, which will be changing to a new concept, Hard Times (952 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids). It’s meant to be a return to the classic neighborhood bar experience, focusing on affordability and community. Expect pool, darts, affordable drinks and no BS.
After years on Lake Drive, LAFONTSEE GALLERIES announced plans to take over the historic art deco building that previously held Creston Brewery (1504 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids), and before that, DeKorne’s Furniture. The move is about being part of Creston’s renaissance, with plans to open by April 2026.
CLOSINGS
Rockwell Republic announced their closing after 17 years in business, crediting the “current fiscally challenging environment” for regrettably shutting doors. They were known for their sangria, Bloody Mary’s, brunch, happy hours, sushi, outdoor patio and more.
The Pubb Food and Spirits closed in February, announcing a transition to an event space. “This bar has a special place in my heart with some amazing memories from a patron, to a bartender, and all the way to an owner. Thank you West Michigan for welcoming me in,” said the owner, Mariel.
3 Gatos Brewery closed doors, with a heartfelt message on Facebook conveying the financial difficulties they’ve experienced, along with personal obstacles. “Thank you for making 3 Gatos a special place. The memories we’ve made together will stay with me forever,” said owner Linus De Paoli.
Citing rising food costs and other challenges, Beacon Corner Bar announced its closure, thanking “our amazing staff, loyal guests and everyone who supported us.” You can support the family’s other businesses at San Chez and ROAM.
The Greenwell announced a closure after years of difficulties in the wake of the pandemic. This gastropub was a beloved eatery in the community for years but seemed to find a place to fit into the scene recently. However, parent company Essence Restaurant Group continues to serve West Michigan with Bistro Bella Vita, Grove and Lucy’s.
Turnstiles, a venue known for not just drinks but food and live events, especially music, closed doors this summer. The owners cited rising costs, a changing market, and a deal to secure the property that fell through.
