Grand Rapids, along with the entire country, has had a rough couple of years dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Negative Covid-19 antigen test kit
Michele UrsiI
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I was pleasantly surprised to see that despite all of the businesses that went under in 2021, it appears that downtown Grand Rapids is booming when it comes to new business.

Townsquare Media
Townsquare Media
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According to Wood TV, data from Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. shows that for every downtown business that closed last year, roughly two businesses have opened downtown.

Open sign at coffee cafe, Lifestyle of people at coffee shop.
TK 1993
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Why Is Business Booming In Downtown Grand Rapids?

Grand Rapids retail, retention, and attraction specialist Richard App said the growth is fueled by more people coming to Grand Rapids. Between 2010 and 2020, the city population swelled by more than 10,000 to just under 199,000 residents, a U.S. Census Bureau report shows.

The largest demographic making the move to downtown is people between the ages of 25 and 29, according to App. The census estimates nearly 22% of the city’s population fell into that age bracket in 2019.

What Business Have Opened Up In Downtown Grand Rapids Since 2021

Thrift on Div - opened on Feb. 14, 2022
Periwinkle Fog - opened on Feb. 9, 2022
Woodrows DuckPin - opened on Jan. 27, 2022
Brooklyn Bodega Bagel & Deli - opened on Jan. 26, 2022
Grand Rapids Voice Collective - opened on Jan. 10, 2022
Ambiance GR Kitchen & Lounge - opened on Dec. 31, 2021
Beacon Corner Bar - opened on Dec. 27, 2021
Terra Bagels - opened on Dec. 20, 2021
Social Misfits - opened on Dec. 20, 2021
Cafe de Miro at Downtown Market - opened on Dec. 6, 2021
Stan’s Tacos - opened on Nov. 29, 2021
The Darling Style - opened on Nov. 27, 2021
OTONO - opened on Nov. 11, 2021
GR City Kicks - opened on Nov. 5, 2021
Umbrella Reading - opened on Nov. 5, 2021
Grand Vin - opened on Nov. 5, 2021
Wahlburgers - opened on Nov. 1, 2021
K-ROK Korean Barbecue & Karaoke - opened on Oct. 30, 2021
The Aroma Labs - opened on Oct. 23, 2021
Midwest Movement Collective - opened on Oct. 16, 2021
Planet Fitness - opened on Oct. 8, 2021
Stoner’s Cave Smoke Shop - opened on Oct. 1, 2021
Skelletones - opened on Sept. 10, 2021
ArtRat Gallery - opened on Sept. 10, 2021
Portico - opened on Sept. 3, 2021
Webster’s Market - opened on Sept. 3, 2021
Starbucks Pickup - opened on Sept. 1, 2021
High Point Tattoo -  opened on Aug. 21, 2021
Dreams Take Work - opened on July 17, 2021
Squibb Café at the Downtown Market - opened on June 25, 2021
DGX Market - opened on June 21, 2021
The 12th House - opened on June 2, 2021
Wise Men Distillery - opened on June 2, 2021
Eagle Eye Tattoo - opened on May 10, 2021
Gaby’s Gourmandise at the Downtown Market - opened on May 8, 2021
Spinful Bike - opened on March 9, 2021
Blonde Theory - opened on March 1, 2021
Condado Tacos - opened on Feb. 4, 2021
MDRD - opened on Feb. 2, 2021
Poke Poke Sushi and Boba - opened on Jan. 19, 2021

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