Wealthy Street businesses, community center boost East Grand Rapids

East Grand Rapids’ portion of Wealthy Street bustled with activity this July, as the Gaslight Village commercial strip started to add tenants and the city’s new $9.5 million community complex prepared for its grand opening.

Chase Bank opened for business on July 11 at 2263 Wealthy St, with a grand opening celebration planned for Aug. 5. It is the first operational business in Gaslight Village, a $50 million project by Jade Pig Ventures that will eventually feature three condominium towers overlooking the Wealthy Street businesses and Reeds Lake. Jude’s Barbershops will be next to serve customers, planning a July 31 opening in one of the commercial suites at 2237 Wealthy St.

Olga’s Kitchen – a joint venture between Olga's Kitchen, Inc. and Team Schostak Family Restaurants – started construction on July 18 in the village’s 2213 Wealthy St. building. The restaurant’s $900,000 build-out of suite 120 should be complete by October. It is expected to generate sales of $1.5 million to $2 million and employ about 75 full and part time staff.

The 2213 and 2237 Wealthy St. buildings, each split into a series of suites with different facades, face each other around a drive-in plaza. An oval fountain that is nearing completion will mark the plaza’s center. Another fountain at the end of the plaza fronts a parking garage that will adjoin The Derby, the first Gaslight Village condominium tower (featuring 25 luxury units) that should break ground later this year.

Nearby at the corner of Wealthy Street and Lakeside Drive, the East Grand Rapids Community Complex will open on Aug. 12. The complex will house City Hall, the library and recreational offices.

Source: Joyce Cusmano, Sojourn Communications Group, Inc.; Sheri Cuccarese, Jade Pig Ventures; http://www.eastgr.org

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