It’s been a year of dramatic shifts in Grand Rapids’ restaurant scene, as new spots opened with fresh ideas, more than a dozen closed permanently and others anticipate a 2026 opening.
Of the 20 businesses in Grand Rapids’ downtown, spanning from Bridge Street’s Stockbridge area to Heartside on South Division, that closed in 2025, 14 (70%) were in the food and beverage industry, according to Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.’s Downtown Vitals report in November.
That’s an increase from last year, when 58% of the city’s storefront closures fit into the food and beverage category…