THE Downtown Market updates

[egrguy]

I'm probably being bullish, but any possibility of a Market expansion? Even feasible?

[GRDadof3]

I'm probably being bullish, but any possibility of a Market expansion? Even feasible?

 

Across the street someone could create a development that basically mirrors the market along the street front. So it'd be a market "row" on that section of Ionia? Whether that building to the South of the market remains industrial forever is also a question.

 

Or maybe the market could bump out into the parking lot area. The loss of spots would be minimal.

 

[ModSquad]

I know this has been mentioned on more than one occasion but you have Pike's Market in Seattle, Reading Terminal Market in Philly, Lexington Market in Maryland, the Farmer's Market in LA.  In Grand Rapids we have "The Downtown Market"  Bleh...

[GRDadof3]

I know this has been mentioned on more than one occasion but you have Pike's Market in Seattle, Reading Terminal Market in Philly, Lexington Market in Maryland, the Farmer's Market in LA.  In Grand Rapids we have "The Downtown Market"  Bleh...

 

Agreed. They should have a public write-in campaign to give the market a real name. Or social media campaign.

 

What about Sonneveldt Market named after the owners that used to be there. Rolls off the tongue. Or Logan Street Market, or McConnell Street Market. Both sound Bostonian.

[mpchicago]

Agreed. They should have a public write-in campaign to give the market a real name. Or social media campaign.

 

What about Sonneveldt Market named after the owners that used to be there. Rolls off the tongue. Or Logan Street Market, or McConnell Street Market. Both sound Bostonian.

 

I'd love to know why they went with Downtown Market? I agree, awful name.  Glad to hear things are moving along nicely, and it's funny that someone here has brought up the idea of expanding.  A lot of cranks were already putting the nail in the coffin even before they celebrated their first year in business.  These things take time to mature.  The French Market here in Chicago was a ghost town for nearly a year before it took off.  Now it packed every time I'm there. 

Edited February 18, 2015 by mpchicago

[elcelc]

I always thought that was a work-in-progress name anyway with a "real" name to be announced in time for opening.  Obviously no.

 

Reminds me of the Pontiac Metropolitan Stadium.  The press and public just called it the Silverdome anyway and that name stuck. 

 

Grassroots works.  What do we have?  The G.R.U.M.?  Grand Action Market? 

[GR_Urbanist]

I always thought that was a work-in-progress name anyway with a "real" name to be announced in time for opening.  Obviously no.

 

Reminds me of the Pontiac Metropolitan Stadium.  The press and public just called it the Silverdome anyway and that name stuck. 

 

 

Good thing they did, because while the official name is a mouthful, the acronym was not a good alternative!

 

But yeah, the market needs a new name quick, It seems like every time the name is said out loud, you almost pause because you feel like you've forgotten the actual name, and are just using some generic nouns. Like saying you are going to eat at the "downtown sub shop".

[metrogrkid]

Agreed. They should have a public write-in campaign to give the market a real name. Or social media campaign.

 

What about Sonneveldt Market named after the owners that used to be there. Rolls off the tongue. Or Logan Street Market, or McConnell Street Market. Both sound Bostonian.

 

Eberhard City Market  -  Meijer Marketplace  -  Southgate Market 

[GRDadof3]

How about the Penn Central Market, named after the Penn Central RR that ran right through that area when Union Station was still around?

[joeDowntown]

How about Van Andel Market? I kid.

Joe

[GRDadof3]

How about Van Andel Market? I kid.

Joe

 

 

haha.

 

[egrguy]

Feb 23rd, an announcement coming on a new restaurant in the front left space. Locally owned.

 

Is that still happening today?

[john_denver]

It is at 2pm.

I stopped by for a quick coffee and they have a big stage set up.

[GRDadof3]

I would watch their twitter account for probably the first announcement (if you like being the first to know)

 

https://twitter.com/dtmarketgr

[john_denver]

Are you on scene with champagne glass in hand @GRDadof3?

[john_denver]

WZZM has a live video stream available too.

[egrguy]

Being at work with no access to Twitter or video is cramping my abilities here to see what's going on.

[GRDadof3]

Are you on scene with champagne glass in hand @GRDadof3?

 

Not this time jd. I've retired from ribbon cuttings and announcement ceremonies (except maybe my own).

[john_denver]

http://www.socialkitchenandbar.com/#anchor-u7295

[egrguy]

http://www.metrotimes.com/Blogs/archives/2015/02/20/zack-sklar-isnt-just-opening-two-restaurants-in-birmingham-but-more-in-chicago-grand-rapids

 

Interesting, if I had read the Metro Times, I would have had the scoop.

 

Not what I had expected (and not really quite local) but I think overall, it will be a great fit, different vibe, different then anything else in the market currently.

 

I am not one to usually harp on a restaurant's pricing, however, if this guy wants to sell a cheeseburger for $15, it had better be freaking amazing since there's some amazing burgers in GR for less then that price. 

 

I will be one that will definitely check out the place when it opens.

[GRDadof3]

http://www.metrotimes.com/Blogs/archives/2015/02/20/zack-sklar-isnt-just-opening-two-restaurants-in-birmingham-but-more-in-chicago-grand-rapids

 

Interesting, if I had read the Metro Times, I would have had the scoop.

 

Not what I had expected (and not really quite local) but I think overall, it will be a great fit, different vibe, different then anything else in the market currently.

 

I am not one to usually harp on a restaurant's pricing, however, if this guy wants to sell a cheeseburger for $15, it had better be freaking amazing since there's some amazing burgers in GR for less then that price. 

 

I will be one that will definitely check out the place when it opens.

 

 

I think they're looking to appeal to people who are doing the downtown market "experience," particularly large groups (where one guy doesn't know what to get so he gets a burger). Sure you can get good burgers cheaper than $15, but you wouldn't go here just to get a burger.

 

I had lunch at the Fishmonger one time and about gagged when I got the check, but they're looking at expanding their seating. I like the "$6 for two tacos" stand myself.

[thebeerqueer]

Bye, bye Grocer's Daughter, hello Blue Spoon Soups & Spuds:

 

http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2015/03/goodwill_industries_moving_its.html#incart_more_business

Edited March 4, 2015 by thebeerqueer

[mgreven]

Just had to share as this has been part of the discussion here...

First of all - I have never once said anything to my family about the name of the market that has been discussed here.

We went on Sunday afternoon and had a good time as always. As we pulled in, my nine year old says out of the blue, "Why does it have such a plain name? Downtown Market? I get it...its a market and it's downtown. Seems kinda lame - why doesn't the guy who owns it name it after his name or something?"

[GRDadof3]

There's an item in the DDA meeting agenda next week to review (and recommend for approval) a liquor license request for Slow's. Apparently any liquor license request in the DDA boundaries needs to be approved by city commission and the DDA board. At least we have an idea of what the hold up is. 

[fotoman311]

There's an item in the DDA meeting agenda next week to review (and recommend for approval) a liquor license request for Slow's. Apparently any liquor license request in the DDA boundaries needs to be approved by city commission and the DDA board. At least we have an idea of what the hold up is. 

 

I think that's because the DDA can issue liquor licenses at a special discounted rate, without needing to worry about the quantity that are available to the city/county, etc.  That's my very limited understanding of how it works.