The Sovengard Moving Restaurant to New Location in Grand Rapids

The Sovengard, a popular farm-to-table restaurant on Grand Rapids' west side plans on demolishing their current building and building a new restaurant just a mile down.

The Grand Rapids Planning Commission approved a permit for the restaurant to relocate to the TBA Zone District on Bridge St. "...just east from the I-196 overpass." According to the proposal, the owners want to build a new a single-story, 3,800-sq. foot restaurant with an outdoor beer garden. Indoors will be able to seat about 90 people while 100 people can be accommodated outdoors.

The Sovengard has been at its current location for the last five years and is a desired place for people to eat, drink, and hang out. So why the move? Owners claim that the affects of the pandemic has been difficult on them, especially with the rising rent on the West side as it continues to grow. However, the owners did not want to leave the area. The developers the restaurant is working with said it took nine months to find a location within the price point, however it still comes with challenges, specifically parking.

Under city regulations, a restaurant of the proposed size must have 48 parking spots; the site currently has one usable on-site space (via WOOD-TV).

Owners plan on speaking with nearby businesses about sharing some of their spaces and also mentioned the availability of street parking.

Sovengard plans on keeping the current concept of their food including seasonal menus and an outdoor shipping container serving as a bar.

If all goes to plan moving forward, Sovengard should be in its new space by Spring 2022.

A rendering of the new restaurant can be seen below.