If two Grand Rapids entrepreneurs get the green light from the Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority (DDA) for a liquor license, then a new food, beer, and wine tasting venue will be the latest shop to stake its claim at Grand Rapids' $30 million Downtown Market.
Amy Ruis, owner of
Art of the Table (606 Wealthy St. SE), and Kate Leeder, the store's cheesemonger for the past five years, plan to open
Aperitivo in the
Downtown Market's 24-vendor Market Hall. The women have applied to the DDA for a liquor license that will allow them to offer beers and wines for onsite consumption in the new 1,200-square-foot shop that will feature a tasting bar.
Aperitivo, Spanish for "appetizer," describes the concept for the small plates that Ruis says will be on the menu. Customers will be able to order samples of the items available for purchase in the store: an array of cheeses, and gourmet taste treats to go with the cheeses, such as, salamis, patés, prosciutto, nuts, honeys, jams, crostini, olives, and the like.
Customers will be able to sit at one of 15 seats at the bar inside the store, or on the outdoor terrace, and taste plates of delectable goodies along with a beer or glass of wine.
"We'll be in the Market Hall, right at the front entrance in a primo space," Ruis says. "The concept is that it's primarily a cheese shop, but we'll also have some retail gourmet foods, beers, and wines to pick up and take home. We will also offer a grilled cheese of the day for those who want a light lunch. It will be a simplified menu focused on tasting the products we sell."
The market opens this summer and will feature an outdoor farmers market, a certified kitchen, a greenhouse, dining, coffee shops, bakeries, and more.
Source: Amy Ruis, Aperitivo
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor
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