May 7, 2018
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Change Ups: Green Well rebranded as Rockford Riverside Grille
Essence Restaurant Group rebranded its Green Well Rockford location into a more family-friendly concept called Rockford Riverside Grille, at 8 E. Bridge St. NE. The new venue features a kids menu and specials, outdoor live music and American-inspired comfort dishes. Patron feedback and changing dining habits spurred the change considered a better fit for the area, […]
Public Record
MORTGAGES Selected mortgages filed with Kent County Register of Deeds BRIGGS, Eben et al, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Crystal Springs Plat No. 3, Lot 101, $259,920 SCHEFFLER, Nicole et al, AmeriFirst Financial Corp., Chalet Estates East No. 5, Lot 133, $289,600 SELMON, Johnnie et al, AmeriFirst Financial Corp., Mercer's Lakeview Park Add., Lot 26, $231,725 […]
Dear Liz, here’s small-business advice from Grandpa
My granddaughter, Liz Nol, is opening a women's clothing store, Marie La Mode, on Cherry Street SE. The grand opening was May 5. She has lived with the realities of business ownership her whole life. Her parents, Jeff and Debbi Nol, own Arie Nol Auto Center in Kentwood. Her two brothers are employed in family-owned […]
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Street Talk: Timing is everything
No decision has yet been made regarding the fate of Lakeshore Regional Entity, the organization that oversees Medicaid funding for five community health centers in West Michigan. As requested in a letter by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the organization submitted a proposal in late April addressing five issues: lack of an […]
World Trade Week highlights drivers of international businesses boosting local jobs, economy
West Michigan World Trade Week has for decades provided a dynamic gathering of local businesses that share the demands of the international markets. From Founders Brewing Co. to Steelcase, these businesses are drivers of the local economy — but given little notice or taken for granted by the broader community. It is a celebration of […]
Know your waterfront property rights
Summer is on the horizon. In Michigan, thoughts may soon turn to spending time at your waterfront cottage, ready to enjoy a season on the beach and water. Often, you will find yourself sharing that beach, and the adjacent lake, stream or river, with your neighbors or the public. So, it’s important to know what […]
Real estate wire fraud on upswing
Sun Title Agency learned about elaborate wire fraud schemes the hard way when the title company was hit in 2015, costing it nearly $200,000. Following the attack, owners Lawrence Duthler and Thomas Cronkright spent two years recovering about $145,000 of what was stolen. The recovery process gave them insight into the elaborate, two-monthlong scheme that […]
Pro-, anti-marijuana groups debate legalization
When Michigan voters go to the polls this November, they will have an opportunity to change the landscape of marijuana consumption in the Midwest. The Michigan State Board of Canvassers certified the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol petition in April after the group gathered 365,000 signatures from Michigan residents. “This November, Michigan voters will […]
Tax reform leads list of numerous benefits changes
Although tax season has ended, taxes still are a topic heavily discussed due to a law passed in December. The federal tax overhaul that was signed into law by President Donald Trump is a sweeping reform of the U.S. tax code. Many of the changes affect employees. The immediate impact of the new tax law […]
Report: Economic optimism holding steady
Michigan business owners remain optimistic about the state of their companies and the national and local economy, but the jury still is out on the impact of tax reform. PNC Financial Services Group conducted phone interviews between Jan. 12 and March 6 — 152 of them with Michigan businesses — and published the data in […]
‘Project Rapids’ tweaks project details
With a revised project outline, the proposed warehouse and distribution center put forth by the mysterious “Project Rapids” is one step closer to reality. The Gaines Township Planning Commission late last month recommended the township board approve Project Rapids’ request to build an 855,000-square-foot warehousing and distribution center on a Steelcase-owned property at 4500 68th […]
Jackson Entertainment receives state loan approval
Jackson Entertainment recently received approval for a multimillion-dollar loan for Studio Park. According to a memo from the Michigan Economic Development Corp. to the Michigan Strategic Fund, Jackson Entertainment received approval for a Michigan Community Revitalization Program award for $5.5 million late last month. Jeff Olsen, partner with Olsen Loeks Development and Jackson Entertainment, said […]
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Inside Track: Customer-first approach
Sean Agerson is a passionate problem-solver. The owner and president of SJA Solutions started his IT firm with just himself and a laptop, but 13 years later, put it on track to earn $5 million in revenue this year. He attributed his company’s success to quality customer service and a focus on helping other growing […]
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GVSU creates $849M impact
Grand Valley State University’s regional economic impact is an estimated $849 million. The annual report covers Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon counties, this year using data observed between 2016 and 2017. This year’s report shows an increase of $33 million from last year, $69 million from 2016 and $119 million from 2015. Matthew McLogan, GVSU vice […]
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Gallery and studio owners find their footing
Matthew Provoast and Erika Townsley bonded in art school because they enjoy working in nonstandard ways. Rather than photographing for a mat and frame, they experimented with mixed media — including image transfers, collages and found-object sculptures — during their time at Kendall College of Art and Design. They graduated with bachelor’s degrees in fine […]
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Event venues hear parking complaints
(As seen on WZZM TV 13) Representatives of several event venues said parking is a notable factor for customers, and they are hearing more complaints about the lack of parking downtown. The Business Journal spoke with representatives of event venues located outside of downtown Grand Rapids about the growing issue of parking. Dan DeWard, owner […]
