Summers just wouldn't be a same without camping: just ask Jada White, Aniah McLeod, Arielle Matthews and Kylan Tette-Harris. See what a remarkable resource West Michigan has in its summer camps for youths.
Deborah Johnson WoodGrand Rapids-based Meritage Hospitality Group, Inc. will convert its O'Charley's franchise at 1600 East Beltline NE to its first restaurant with a locally developed theme, this one to be called Twisted Rooster, a name based on traditional American fare with a twist. Executive Chef Mark Noseda developed a menu that includes Wasabi Wings; Twisted Macaroni and Cheese made with smoked chicken, sweet peas, asparagus, and cherry tomatoes; and a Twisted Pulled Pork Sandwich topped with crispy noodle slaw and cheddar cheese. Meritage Hospitality operates 73 restaurants in two brands, including four O'Charley's and 49 Wendy's in Michigan, and employs 2,200 people. The expected launch July 21 of Twisted Rooster, coupled with growth at the corporate headquarters, brings more than 65 new full- and part-time jobs to West Michigan, says Heather Halligan, marketing coordinator. Those positions are over and above the 25 existing positions from O'Charley's. Halligan says all of those employees retained their jobs. The new positions include a human resources assistant and accounting positions at the corporate headquarters, plus executive chef, restaurant manager, server and bartender jobs. "O'Charley's has been here six years and we have a lot of loyal customers," says Halligan. "We were nearing the end of our agreement with O'Charley's and needed to resign or move on."We felt we needed to make the change and reinvest in the community," she says. "And we'll support the community further by using locally grown foods."Halligan adds that Meritage has implemented an aggressive plan to expand to 150 stores by 2015. That includes converting all four Michigan O'Charley's to independent concepts by 2012. Source: Heather Halligan, Meritage Hospitality Group, Inc.Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com. Development News tips can be sent to info@rapidgrowthmedia.com.
Deborah Johnson WoodOlga Benoit has catered her Haitian-style cuisine in the Grand Rapids area for the past 12 years, and now she's opening Chez Olga to bring her taste treats to the community on a larger scale. Benoit came to Grand Rapids as a refugee and used to operate Benoit's Family Fashions on Leonard Street. But it is her love of cooking and the catering she's done that sealed her decision to start the restaurant. Benoit has spent the last several weeks renovating the interior of 1441 Wealthy St. SE in the distinctive McKendree Silver Works building. That space has seen its share of restaurants come and go, but spokesperson Monica Sparks of Sparks Consulting says the renovation will open up the space and make it more inviting. "Customers are going to find a very festive but comfortable, relaxed feeling of, well, love, I guess is the best way to say it," Sparks says. "The recipes are time honored, passed down from generation to generation, straight from Haiti. Olga had to go to a lot of different vendors for spices, because she couldn't get the more uncommon ones at the larger food suppliers."Benoit's tagline, "Feel the Caribbean Heat," is represented in dishes such as the fried plantains appetizer with spicy coleslaw, Creole chicken, and red beans and rice. The menu also offers a couple of vegetarian and vegan dishes, and everything is under $10.The grand opening is July 9 and 10, with free food to those who have preregistered on the Chez Olga GR Facebook page. Chez Olga will be open Monday through Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Source: Monica Sparks, Sparks ConsultingDeborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com. Development News tips can be sent to info@rapidgrowthmedia.com.
Deborah Johnson WoodA new nature trail that winds around several ponds in the most undisturbed natural area of Kent County's Millennium Park opened last week. The Hansen Nature Trail, named after donors Dick and Sandy Hansen who funded the $100,000 project, is just over a half-mile long, but it connects to more than 20 miles of the Fred Meijer Millennium Trail Network within the park as well as the Kent Trails system and a Grand Rapids City Trail along Wealthy St. SE. The trail is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, made of compacted crushed stone that will accommodate wheelchairs and mountain bikes. The pathway loops through the property of a former fish hatchery near the intersection of Butterworth and Riverbend streets. Users can fish from a wheelchair-accessible fishing deck that extends over one of the ponds. "The Hansen Nature Trail adds another element to the park," says Roger Sabine, director of Kent County Parks. "It's the most natural area we have that's open with trails, a little closer to nature than the rest of the trails. There are more sights and sounds than there might be on other trails because it's a little less busy."Millennium Park is open to the public at no cost, and features age-appropriate playgrounds, picnic areas and a boardwalk along the water's edge. Access to the swimming area ranges from $2 to $4 per person per visit, or via a $50 family pass. Source: Roger Sabine, Kent County Parks Department; Kate Washburn, Wondergem ConsultingDeborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com. Development News tips can be sent to info@rapidgrowthmedia.com.
If you've ever thought about taking a self-directed tour of Grand Rapids and getting the lowdown on its attractions...well, there may be an app for that. Doug Lang and Will Hartwell say QR code technology may change the way we see and hear about ourselves...through our smartphone cameras.
The Grand Rapids Urban Market was selected to receive a $150,000 grant from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation in its latest round of funding for 10 organizations that totals $1.5 million.
Deborah Johnson WoodLegend has it that in the 1900s wealthy businessman Harry C. Leonard gave his daughter Dorothy a gift – a massive home complete with servant's quarters and a third-floor ballroom. That home at Logan and Morris streets in Grand Rapids is now open as the Leonard at Logan House Bed & Breakfast, following an extensive renovation to bring it back to its former glory by owners Ann and John Finkler, Paul and Charles DeVos and Mark Zimmer. A wide, open staircase leads from the foyer to the five guest rooms on the second floor. Each guest room, tastefully appointed with period-style furniture, has a private bath. On the main floor, visitors will find a relaxing sitting room with a fireplace, a dining room and a modern gourmet kitchen. The house has oak floors throughout, except for the ballroom, which has maple – a hardwood not easily marred by dancers' shoes. The ballroom is now the owner's quarters. Modern amenities include free Wi-Fi, keyless entry and 32-inch flat screen TVs in each guest room. "We started with the roof because it was leaking, and leaks mean cracked plaster, which was throughout the house," Zimmer says. He and Ann Finkler are part of Team Restoration, the group that handled the restoration. "We added half a dozen chandeliers throughout the house to make it more elegant," Zimmer says.Outside, the owners removed two overgrown pine trees that blocked the view of the house from the street. They're currently adding an outdoor patio for guest use. Zimmer says an existing lawn area accommodates canopies for outdoor weddings and parties. Breakfast is designed to fit the needs of guests – an extensive weekday continental breakfast allows business guests to eat on the go; weekend guests experience a more leisurely meal. "During the week we attract quite a number of business travelers, and overseas contract designers who work for Steelcase," Zimmer says. "We're more laid back than a hotel, so a lot of times they'll stay here."Source: Mark Zimmer, Leonard at Logan House Bed & BreakfastDeborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com. Development News tips can be sent to info@rapidgrowthmedia.com.
They want you to get in on the ground floor of The Pyramid Scheme, but Mark Sellers and Jeff and Tami VandenBerg are making an easy sales pitch: their proposed music venue at 68 Commerce Ave. SW has only one floor to begin with. Find out why their plan is far from inflated.
Deborah Johnson WoodThe development of a skate park in Grand Rapids got the signal to start rolling when the Grand Rapids City Commission approved the proposal at Tuesday's commission meeting. A committee of the Sixth Street Bridge Community Coalition worked for several months with the city's Parks & Recreation department to develop the proposed Clemente Skate Park in an underused area of Clemente Park, 546 Rumsey SW. "The part of the park near B Street has a tennis court that hasn't been used for probably 10 years," says Chris Gray, committee chair of the coalition. "It's close enough to downtown and it's just unused, with lots of trees."Gray is quick to point out that the north portion of Clemente Park will remain as is, with actively used soccer fields. He also notes that skate park plans are in the beginning stages and the planning group still needs to raise some $350,000 for the project. Preliminary plans are to incorporate different styles of skate parks by connecting paved paths that stretch over rolling, shaded terrain to pods of activity, such as ramps and a concrete bowl. "One of the big parts of our plan is to keep the area as is by not removing any of the living trees," he says. "We want to keep it really wooded to keep it a unique park, and we want it to be a park that people want to go to for other things like biking and walking."Gray, a photographer and artist, designs apparel for Premier Skateboarding, a supporter of his work with the skate park. He hopes to feature urban art in the park. Another aspect could include providing a small garden space for nearby Southwest Community Campus school. Construction on the park could begin in early 2011.A June 20 kickoff celebration at Rosa Parks Circle will include skateboard competitions, giveaways and opportunities for participants and spectators to contribute toward the skate park's development fund.Source: Chris Gray, Clemente Skate ParkDeborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com. Development News tips can be sent to info@rapidgrowthmedia.com.
Two Muskegon artists are trying to organize that city's first Lake Michigan Art Walk this summer that would lure art lovers, art buyers and artists to downtown, fueling efforts to recharge and liven up the area
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