Interested in finding a neighborhood deli with one-of-a-kind sandwiches or a charming ice cream shop your kids will adore? There's now a new online directory of small local businesses called
ShopSmallGR.com to help you locate the perfect place in Grand Rapids.
Launched by Grand Rapids native Brett Wohlgemuth on June 15, Shop Small GR is designed to easily connect Grand Rapids residents with local businesses: restaurants, hair salons, yoga centers, antique stores, boutiques, and much more.
On the website, users can find places using the navigational tabs (Eat, Shop, Stay, Do, Local Services) or the Search function, complete with a search by zip code. To-date, there are over 500 local businesses featured on the site, with new listings being added daily. To add a place or event, click the appropriate tab on the home page and follow the instructions.
There's no fee for businesses to add a place or event. At this point, the site is not revenue-generating; it's simply a directory to connect local people with local places. Maps are provided too. Wohlgemuth says, "Businesses control their own listing. The general description is what they want to say, not what we want to say about them. If they want their logo and a photo with their listing, they can do it. If they want to enable users to share their listing on social media sites, they can. Customers can even post reviews if the business wants to offer that option."
To help create awareness and attract new customers, ShopSmallGR.com is hosting a Gift Card Giveaway, Sept. 1 through Nov. 30, which is Small Business Saturday. Over 50 businesses have donated gift cards for the giveaway. To enter,
click here.
For more information on Shop Small GR, visit their
website. To get daily updates on local businesses and events, connect with Shop Small GR on
Facebook.
Source: Brett Wohlgemuth, Shop Small GR
Writer: Susan Julien Larimore, Freelance Reporter
Images courtesy of Shop Small GR
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.