Neighborhoods of GR: WestSide evolution continues

As I write this story, it’s just been announced that Consumers Energy is building a new $20 million headquarters in the heart of the WestSide. This will be a good fit with the new, experimental solar power grid going up in the same area. It’s a challenge to keep up with all the changes and movement happening here.

It is often said, "WestSide, Best Side!" To be honest, as a WestSide native, I personally don’t like this slogan. It somehow seems a bit arrogant. Westsiders possess many characteristics, and I don’t believe arrogance is one of them. I think we tend to be more “blue collar”: hard-working, fun-loving, and accepting. But certainly not arrogant.

While some are concerned with pushing out long-time residents, and with the dreaded “g-word” (gentrification), others are excited with the renaissance of the area and all of the positive development. The WestSide is diverse (as illustrated by the wonderful mural at Leonard and Turner, by George Eberhardt), with lots of history. It has a wonderful flavor that is tough to define unless one lives, works, or plays here often. It needs to be experienced to be understood.

There are plenty of good people working hard to ensure that residents can stay and thrive. Jim Davis, new director of the WestSide Collaborative (a consortium of WestSide non-profits) is one of them. When discussing how people who are new to the area can blend with long-time residents, he says, "We're all in it with various levels of tenure and effort but chasing the same goals.” In addition,

“...I see mutual benefit and reinforcement. The generational ‘teams’ help one another. One learns new tricks. One learns best practices. Both inspire the other from burning out or giving up on the challenging community work. The new blood reinvigorates the long-timers.”

I think I first came to realize how the WestSide was changing back in 2013, when Stocking School reopened after it was shuttered in 2010. How often does that happen? A school shut down, only to reopen a few years later? That impressed me, and I started paying close attention to things. I was born and raised here—then lived on the other side of the river for many years—and moved back here a few years ago, where I now live and work. I serve on the board of the Stockbridge Business Association, and try to learn as much as I can about the new progress, as well as the history of the area.

I took some time to investigate some of the long-standing businesses on the WestSide, and have been amazed. For example, Bridge Street Electric on Bridge near Stocking has been in business since 1929, and has some wonderful products and services. Not only do they sell new lights, fixtures, etc., but they can also restore just about any light—often with original parts. I spoke with owners Deb and Jim Dagley and they enthusiastically showed me around. I had no idea of the scope of their business, which is a unique resource right here on the WestSide. Their customers come from all over, and they’re excited about the potential foot traffic that they hope will occur once the Bridge Street Market is open, and as other businesses develop in the neighborhood.

Another business which has been a fixture here is Mieras Family Shoes on Leonard near Alpine. Fifth generation family member Tyler Joyce says, "My great-great grandfather purchased a tiny shoe repair at 841 Leonard in 1922, and it's been in the same location and owned by the same family ever since. Currently we have third, fourth, and fifth generations involved in the business daily.”

When asked about all the changes in the neighborhood, he commented, "The new developments have been incredible. The restaurants and housing going in around here is drawing more people to the area. We already have a very large and loyal customer base and it seems to grow every day. The WestSide is great at supporting local stores.”

Regarding the future, Joyce says, "You never really know what the future will hold, but with both the economy and developments growing around the WestSide, we have been, and should continue to be, as busy as ever and growing. We love serving the WestSide and all those that drive here to shop at our store. We appreciate every customer. We've been here for 95 years and we feel it's only the beginning!"

Ken BairKen Bair is the store manager of the new Bridge Street Market. Originally from Southern California, Bair was hired due to his 27 years of experience working with grocery stores. He’s been digging in and getting to know the area and the residents, and is excited to provide a new shopping experience to people who live and work here. While owned by Meijer, Bair has the flexibility to select his own merchandise and quickly make decisions to accommodate customer requests. He’s committed to offering a wide array of local products and a good mix of high-end craft items, as well as very value-oriented items that will be affordable for those who shop there.

Marco Bulnes, owner of Mayan Buzz.One of the new businesses that will be part of the Bridge Street Market is Mayan Buzz Cafe’s second location. They beat out some stiff competition from several coffee shops and franchises, and were chosen to anchor the Market. They’re a local, woman and minority-owned business. Buzz co-owner Marco Bulnes, originally from Honduras, is thrilled to be a part of it all. He compares the WestSide to himself when he says, “Passion. Purpose. Resilience. The WestSide possesses all of these, and the Bridge Street Market is a testament to it all. Being a partner in this venture is a dream come true,” says Bulnes.

I also spoke with Meagan Freriks, co-owner of One Bourbon, one of the new restaurants on Bridge Street. Freriks articulated her thoughts as such. “When we were originally looking for a location, we wanted a space that suited our blue collar roots. All of us come from hard-working families and we wanted a restaurant vibe that was family oriented, comfortable, and friendly. We were steering clear of anything pretentious or fancy as that isn't the vibe we were hoping to bring. The WestSide is filled with wonderful, hard working, blue collar folks just like us. We want to provide that small town, local hangout for the blue collar people in our area.”

She continued, “What we've observed over the last year is that yes, we are bringing in some WestSide visitors, but we also have a large amount of Grand Rapids citizens coming over to the WestSide for the first time in a long while. We hear a lot of 'I can't believe how much this has changed!' or 'The WestSide is booming!' We are thrilled to be a part of the growth here and are so excited for the population explosion that is imminent. That said, most of the construction projects and/or planned developments seem to be keeping the blue collar mindset in mind. There is a lot of talk about other small town cafes, restaurants, salons, retail, etc. that are hoping to move in, and from what we can tell the housing complexes do not seem to be as high-priced as those downtown or in Eastown.”

She adds, “The vibe over here is exciting. Everyone is aware of the upcoming traffic and new developments, and we are all anxiously awaiting their arrivals.” However, “It is not enough to have an explosion of growth; we want our local populous on board with us, helping to make the WestSide the best place to be in Grand Rapids.”

It’s clear that there’s lots of excitement going on—with some cautious optimism. The blending of old and new—people of all types—all adding flavor to what we call home… WestSide!

Photos by Paul Soltysiak.