And the nominees for Grand Rapids' Best Exterior and Interior Renovations are…

As part of a series, Rapid Growth is speaking with nominees of several "best of" categories of the 20th Annual Neighborhood Business Awards, a partnership between Neighborhood Ventures and the Neighborhood Business Alliance that honors businesses across the city that have added to the quality of life in their locales.

Best Exterior Renovation: Red Jet Café
After renovating what was once a bank-turned-library into a trendy neighborhood eatery called the Red Jet Café, owners The Gilmore Collection made its move to repurpose an adjacent sidewalk area into an urban dining patio. This summer marked the restaurant's first year with the addition, which coincided with the acquisition of a liquor license, extended dinner hours and the addition of appetizers to the menu.

The café sits on a point of land where Plainfield NE and Coit intersect. The patio seats 45 along the Coit Avenue (northwest) side of the restaurant. Bordered by businesses along a shaded brick street, the patio creates a big city outdoor dining experience in one of Grand Rapids' growing neighborhood business districts.

"The patio and liquor license increased our summer business by 30 to 35 percent," says Rick Sauber, general manager. "It was amazing."

Plans are to add Plexiglas panels to enclose the space for four-season dining. Mushroom heaters keep the area warm, but those will give way eventually to more permanent radiant heat.

Other nominees are:
•    AllStar Wireless, 1000 Michigan NE
•    Louie's Bar & Rocket Lounge, 608 Bridge St. NW
•    Talk A Lot Wireless - MetroPCS, 800 Franklin SE

Best Interior Renovation: Brann's Steakhouse & Grille
A West Side staple has once again completely revamped its interior, taking on a new theme and a new name. The new Brann's Sizzling Steaks & Sports Grill, 401 Leonard NW, still features a bar area (now a sports lounge) and dining room, but sports a contemporary interior complete with 50 televisions: flat screen, projection, hi-def translucent (viewable from two sides) and private TVs in the dining booths.

"We've had the previous interior for about 12 years and my dad and another partner went and checked out other concepts in other states," says Johnny Brann, Jr., a partner in the business. "They brought home some good ideas."

The $250,000 renovation includes raising ceilings, new flooring, restrooms and serving stations, and redesigning a private banquet area so it's now part of the sports lounge. Custom partitions return the space to a private dining room for parties and events.
With all the changes, the establishment's regulars will recognize something left over from the old Brann's.

"We kept a sports themed mannequin on each floor because people did not want to see those go," says Brann.

Other nominees are:
•    Bombay Cuisine/Queens Pub, 1420 Lake Drive SE
•    Fat Boy Burgers, 2450 Plainfield Avenue NE
•    Clear Water Place/Saint Mary's Home Care, 1430 Monroe NW
•    Clique Lanes, 533 Stocking NW
•    From the Heart Yoga, 714 Wealthy SE
•    Higher Ground Rock Climbing Center, 820 Monroe NW
•    Lott3Metz Architects and Highland Group, 645 Cherry SE
•    John Widdicomb Trade Center/ Spectrum Health, 665 Seward NW

Rapid Growth is proud to sponsor the People's Choice award in each category of the Neighborhood Business Awards. Click here to cast your online vote for your favorites.

The awards ceremony on November 5 is from 5 to 8 p.m. at Wealthy Theatre. The public is invited. Mark your calendar to check Rapid Growth on Friday, November 6 for a list of the winners.
 
Source: Rick Sauber, Red Jet Café; Johnny Brann, Jr., Brann's Sizzling Steaks & Sports Grill

Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].