Downtown Retail Boom
Downtown Grand Rapids has seen a retail rebirth recently, with 16 new storefronts opening in the last year. We'll talk with a group of business owners about downtown's retail past, present, and future at this month's speaker series event (with video).
– Jane Jacobs, The Death and Life of Great American Cities
Rapid Growth continues its monthly speaker series, partnering with Grand Rapids Young Professionals (GRYP) on the topic of “City Building,” with December’s event focusing on retail businesses in downtown Grand Rapids. No matter what your age, we guarantee you’ll like this discussion, particularly during this holiday shoppi
ng season.Sixteen new storefronts have opened on Monroe Center in the last year?
Downtown Grand Rapids has caught the attention of three national companies that have opened in the last year or will open in the next six months? We’ll discuss whether people feel this is a good or bad thing.
Five national brands, headquartered locally, have opened a presence in downtown Grand Rapids?
You’ll hear from a panel of business owners and retail advocates who have decided to invest in downtown Grand Rapids and have grown in the process.
Shannon Gales of Vue Design
Jayson Case of Craft Revival Jewelers
Chris Muller of MRetail Solutions
Johannah Jelks of GenXGenYforMichigan
Noddea Skidmore of Stiletto Sweets
When: Thursday, Dec. 20
Location: 103 S. Division (blue and yellow building at the SW corner of S. Division and Oakes)
Time: 5:30 p.m. (doors open at 5:00) – 7:00 p.m.
Price: Free admission, open to the public, beverages provided
(Note: Parking is available on the streets surrounding the venue or for a small fee in the ramp on Cherry and Commerce. You can also bring your bikes into the space if you ride).
If you would like to attend, please RSVP here or at our event page on Facebook.
In the spirit of shopping local (which Rapid Growth is a big proponent of), check out this video by the Downtown Alliance, part of a four-part series highlighting unique retailers in downtown Grand Rapids.
This “Not Your Average Speaker Series” is brought to you by MSHDA, Grand Rapids Young Professionals, and produced exclusively by Rapid Growth Media.
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