Scrumptious baked goods, fresh salads, pizza and a convenience store -- they're all part of a new eatery on the northeast edge of Grand Rapids' downtown that will cater to downtown workers and college students.
The Lyon Den opens this week in the former Rico's Café American spot on the corner of Lyon St. and Ionia Avenue NE. Owners Jeff and Tammy Rider, who also own downtown's
Vitamin D Tanning Salon, have partnered with Bill and Melanie Laffert and Jack and Mary Kragt to create an innovative hangout that will feature Mary's tempting baked goods, cheesecakes and fresh donuts.
"There are 190 Kendall/Ferris dorm rooms right above us (at 5 Lyon) and we wanted to put together a space where they could eat," says Jeff Rider.
Besides the baked goods, Rider says The Lyon Den will offer a basic line of grocery and personal care items students want, such as, cereal, ramen noodles, pop, shampoo and laundry soap. The deli will offer made-to-order salads and subs, a build your own burger bar, pizza and fries.
Rider hopes the free Wi-Fi, a 42-inch television and fresh popcorn will entice students and others to hang around, and has set up the shop's hours to fit students' hectic schedules: 6 a.m. to midnight, Monday - Friday; 7 a.m. to midnight Saturday; and 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday.
Students and their parents will also have an option to purchase meal plan cards they can use like cash for purchases. Initially, the program is only for 5 Lyon residents, but Rider expects to expand it if there's a demand.
"I just smile every time I think about this," Rider says. "Since we've opened up Vitamin D, we've had such great interaction with the neighbors and we've had such a good time."
For more information, visit The Lyon Den's Facebook page
here.
Source: Jeff Rider, The Lyon Den; Anne Marie Bessette, Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor
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