Local business holiday roundup

Although we have seen and heard plenty of holiday music days—and sometimes even a week—before Thanksgiving. The time has officially come to allow the holiday season to swing into full effect. 

The food, music, and—if the weather decides to cooperate— even the scenery will begin to look a lot like Christmas, as the song goes. With the holiday season comes joy and laughter, gift giving, and treating family and friends.

Say no more! We have got a list of all the places you will want to visit to find the right thing for that picky person in your life, or the right place to fill your day with that holiday cheer we all need during these longer winter nights!

RESTAURANTS

Citizen
A full service Tiki Bar and restaurant is new in town and should be good for a tasty drink and meal.


Mi Casa Restaurante
If you are looking to change up dinner plans, be sure to grab the Chivo Guisado at this Caribbean restaurant in Burton Heights.

Palace of India
You will come for the Butter Chicken, but stay for the mango custard.

New Hotel Mertens
A french brasserie right in the heart of downtown. You will want to place that New Year’s Eve reservation early!

Chez Olga
If you want to have spicy food like you’ve never had before, this is your place. Don’t worry; the staff will have mercy on you and bring you milk just as soon as the heat really kicks in!

The Søvengård
A delightful addition to the Westside of Grand Rapids that serves up seasonal cuisine inspired by Danish tradition.


STORES

Slate Clothing
Looking for spiffy duds for the modern man in your life? Look no further than Slate, a relatively new addition to downtown on Ionia Ave.

Iconoclasp
This shop that will have you mystified wondering how the clothes are all handmade. Have a fashionista in your midst? Be sure to drop by here and let them browse to their heart's content.

6.25 Paper Studio
The perfect place for well-designed stocking stuffers, and also for the wrapping paper you will most surely need!

Vault of Midnight
The one stop shop for the nerd/geek/cool person in your life. They have got it all: comics, graphic novels, board games, anime, and a peculiar collection of plush toys.

Blacklamb
This clean, modern shop offers curated goods from around the region and country. If you are looking to turn your home from drab to chic, look no further.

Woosah Outfitters
This one-of-a-kind art and apparel shop offers everything from t-shirts to prints, handcrafted with founder Erica Lang's unique outdoors-inspired woodcuts. Look for them soon at their new location in the Wealthy Street Business District this December!

Parliament the Boutique / Harbinger Leather
Handmade quality goods from a dynamic duo!

Premier
Find some of the best streetwear and gear here. It may be the middle of winter when your loved ones get those sneakers, but then again, this is Michigan! Who knows when the snow will get here or eventually melt?

Delasie
Beautiful clothing made from imported textiles, fusing European design with African fabrics.

Dime & Regal
A great shop for jewelry and handcrafted gifts.

Books & Mortar Bookstore
It’s time to step up your book game from a few to stacks on stacks on stacks.

All City Kicks
Their name should describes it all, and really should be where everyone gets their shoes. Such a wide array that you’ll have a hard time picking between your favorites.

EXPERIENCES

Grand Rapids Ballet 
Why of course, you have to catch a showing of The Nutcracker during the winter holidays. 

Grand Rapids Symphony 
Our symphony has regular programming through Christmas! This holiday season you will hear them alongside the Grand Rapids Ballet for their winter programming.

Funky Buddha Yoga Hot House 
When the only stretching you have been doing is on the couch, it’s time to sweat it out! Come out to a community class if you are a beginner or step it up a notch for that deep burn.

AM Yoga
Feeling stiff and looking for a change of venue? AM Yoga often switches up their location for classes in venues like our very own Grand Rapids Art Museum.

CKO Kickboxing
So you let yourself indulge in more holiday food than you planned. Office party, dinner parties, and family dinners can all add up fast. Just as fast is the pace with which these instructors will kick your butt.

I GOT FACE Cosmetic
If you are off to a holiday party and you need to look glamorous, you know where to go!

Be sure to find us on social media here @rapidgrowthmedia, and to tag your pics throughout the month of December with #holidayroundup if you’re in any of the locations we mentioned!

Ken Miguel-Cipriano is Rapid Growth’s Innovation and Jobs Editor. To reach Ken, you can email [email protected] or follow him on Twitter and Instagram.