BIZ BEAT

February 2023

A round-up of the biggest openings, closings, and other changes for local businesses.

1 Carlton Ave. SE, Grand Rapids. Head here for authentic handmade Mexican food. Try their popular queso fundido, grilled elote, wet burritos, and molcajetes.

Alger Heights got a new watering hole with the arrival of Sip Coffee and Cocktails , now open at 806 Alger SE, Grand Rapids. They’re serving up cocktails both with alcohol and without, every kind of espresso drink you could hope for, and bagels/ flatbreads for food. Come on in to get some work done with coffee and then relax with a cocktail.

There’s a new boba “and bites” spot at 2230 Wealthy St., Grand Rapids. Check out Pink Piggy for a nice selection of boba teas and tons of food made by owner Echo Shao. She draws on inspiration from her original home, China, while adding her own twist to the menu. Scallion pancakes, chicken entrees, bao bun sandwiches, potstickers and cold Beijing noodles— they have it all.

made with handcrafted ingredients, alongside a large liquor selection. It’s all served in an elegant, plush space.

Nonla Burger recently arrived in Grand Rapids after seeing much success in Kalamazoo. This popular eatery focuses on doing a relatively small menu very, very well, with super creative specials that change daily. If you like burgers, chicken sandwiches and fries, head to 449 Bridge St. NW.

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Last Mile Café joined the scene at 1006 Hall St. SE, Grand Rapids. This Black- and woman-owned coffee shop has been selling its premium coffee beans since 2021, but just opened the café itself. Beans are ethically sourced, everything is sustainable, and 10% of revenue is donated to customernominated charities.

On Wealthy Street, Chartreuse Sisters recently opened doors. Head to 800 Wealthy St., Grand Rapids for a FrenchAmerican fusion of patisserie, café and dry bar. Inspired by the sisters’ heritage and experience traveling abroad, they’re serving up housemade pastries and beverages.

Eastown has a new bar and “modern market” in the form of Pursuit of Happiness , now open at 1426 Robinson SE, Grand Rapids. While not much information is available yet, they serve up bubbles, more bubbles, beer, wine, liquor and coffee.

There are more sushi options than ever in downtown Grand Rapids now that

Nagoya Hibachi Steak House & Sushi has joined the lineup. In the former Osteria Rossa space, at 16 Monroe Center St. NE, Nagoya has opened a second location (in addition to their 28th Street space) serving up hibachi dinner, bento boxes and tons of sushi.

Rad Bagels has arrived! From the people behind Field & Fire Bakery comes this new bagel and waffle shop with a boldly colorful 80s-themed space in the Downtown Market. Head on in at 435 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids for a wide selection of creative and unique bagels (such as gochujangscallion), bagel sandwiches, and waffles both savory and sweet.

In Kalamazoo, Hub Tavern + Grill is now serving up pub food and drinks in the city’s social district. Visit 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall for burgers (both smashed and grilled), sandwiches, bar bites, and a bunch of wood-fired pizzas, which is their real specialty. There’s something for everyone here, including various cocktails and craft beer.

Cantina Los Amigos has taken over Danzon Cubano’s former space at

Drip Drop Cocktail Room has taken over the former upper level of The Sovengard, bringing even more drink choices to the bustling Bridge Street. At 445 Bridge St. NW, Grand Rapids, Drip Drop is raising the cocktail game and serving up thoughtful signature drinks

For better or worse, Grand Rapids electronic music duo Pink Sky say they owe their new sound and evolution to COVID-19.

“Until the pandemic, our live show was the foundation of the band, and everything was built upon it, especially in regards to the instruments we recorded with,” Pink Sky multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Angelica Hay told Revue

Known for their instrumental use of analog synthesizers and drum machines during their elaborate, visually engrossing live shows, Pink Sky consisted of married couple Angelica and Ryan Hay, since before they first emerged with their debut album, FORMS , back in 2018.

At the time, the pair had described Pink Sky as an “indie electronica art band,” and used the project as a way to process their harrowing personal traumas into stunning multimedia live shows that completely transformed clubs, galleries, and non-traditional performance spaces.

But once the pandemic hit and lockdown went into full effect in 2020, the duo found that approach unsustainable, so they adopted the completely opposite philosophy for recording and producing songs with no regard for how – or if – they’d ever perform them live.