A Look Back at 2025 in Grand Rapids & West Michigan

2025 felt like one of those years where Grand Rapids and West Michigan didn’t just grow — they settled in. The kind of year where new spots quickly felt familiar, where weekends filled up with places you couldn’t wait to try, and where the city’s momentum showed up in both big headlines and everyday moments.

From grabbing coffee in a new neighborhood café to watching long-term projects finally come to life, 2025 gave locals plenty of reasons to feel connected to this place. It was a year shaped by small businesses, shared spaces, and the unmistakable sense that West Michigan continues to be somewhere people want to build a life.

Here’s a look back at some of the openings, moments, and milestones that made 2025 memorable across Grand Rapids and West Michigan.

 

Table of Contents

1. New Food & Drink Spots
2. New Shopping Destinations
3. New Attractions & Entertainment
4. Community Additions
5. Annual Events & Other Fun Happenings
6. Looking to What’s Ahead

 

FIKA in Creston

New Food & Drink Spots Worth a Visit

If there’s one thing Grand Rapids does especially well, it’s food that feels personal. In 2025, the local dining scene leaned even further into that idea — welcoming spots that feel like instant favorites, neighborhood hangouts in the making, and concepts that reflect the creativity of the people behind them.

Poke Toki
Opening along Monroe Center, Poke Toki brought bright, customizable poke bowls downtown — the kind of spot you stop into once and immediately add to your regular rotation.

Quickwater Coffee
Tucked into the Creston neighborhood, Quickwater Coffee opened with thoughtfully sourced drinks, a cozy atmosphere, and the unmistakable feel of a true neighborhood café.

Garden District
Located on Monroe Center, Garden District added bold Cajun and Creole flavors to downtown, serving Southern comfort food that feels equal parts fun and filling.

Rudy’s Sub Shop
Rudy’s expanded into the Downtown Market in 2025, making its beloved subs an easy grab for lunch breaks, market runs, and everything in between.

Bridge Street Bar
On the West Side, Bridge Street Bar refreshed the local bar scene with a relaxed space built for game days, casual nights out, and meeting friends after work.

Allora
Downtown Grand Rapids welcomed Allora following its transition from Reserve, continuing its reputation for elevated dining and thoughtfully crafted menus.

Qawah House
Opening in Knapp’s Corner, Qawah House introduced Yemeni coffee traditions to the area, offering a café experience rooted in culture, hospitality, and connection.

Fika
In Creston, Fika arrived with a fully plant-based and gluten-free menu, creating an inviting space that proves inclusive dining can still feel indulgent and fun.

Kawa Sushi
Reopening on Bridge Street after its rebrand from Maru, Kawa Sushi brought a refreshed identity while maintaining its focus on high-quality sushi.

Sav Sav
Sav Sav joined the Downtown Market by Squibb, replacing Aperitivo with a Mediterranean-inspired concept that quickly found a loyal following.

The Toasted Pickle
With its Grand Rapids expansion, The Toasted Pickle brought comforting, crave-worthy sandwiches to a new local audience.

Adobo Boy
Opening along Plainfield Avenue, Adobo Boy added bold Filipino flavors to the local food scene, continuing the area’s growing love for globally inspired cuisine.

Dirty Plate Bistro
Located on Fulton Street, Dirty Plate Bistro opened with a cozy feel and a menu built around scratch-made comfort dishes.

Foxtail Coffee
Foxtail Coffee expanded into Eastown, blending craft coffee with a warm, modern space designed for lingering conversations and slow mornings.

La Vacca Butchery
La Vacca Butchery introduced a specialty butcher shop experience to Grand Rapids, focusing on quality cuts, artisan products, and thoughtful sourcing.

Myanmar Meals
Joining the Downtown Market in 2025, Myanmar Meals helped bring the Market Hall to full capacity while highlighting Burmese cuisine.

Dolly’s Delights
Downtown Grand Rapids welcomed Dolly’s Delights, a bakery and brunch spot pairing comforting treats with a strong sense of community care.

BC Pizza
BC Pizza continued its West Michigan expansion, adding another family-friendly option to the local dining lineup.

Field & Fire Bakehouse
A familiar favorite, Field & Fire Bakehouse continued to play a meaningful role in downtown’s food scene throughout 2025, reinforcing its place as a community staple

 

Earthly Refillery at Studio Park

New Shopping Destinations & Local Finds

Shopping in Grand Rapids and West Michigan continued to feel thoughtful and personal in 2025, with new storefronts focused on creativity, sustainability, and pieces that actually mean something when you bring them home.

Niksi Home & Floral
Located downtown, Niksi Home & Floral opened with a beautifully curated mix of home décor, gifts, and fresh florals — the kind of shop you wander into and leave inspired.

Unwind GR
Unwind GR combined a yarn shop with hands-on craft classes and community gatherings, creating a welcoming space for makers of all skill levels to slow down and get creative.

Earthly Refillery
With the opening of its second location at Studio Park, Earthly Refillery made sustainable, low-waste shopping even more accessible in the heart of downtown.

Bring Back Analog
Bring Back Analog carved out a niche for retro and vintage audio, tech, and nostalgic finds, appealing to collectors and curious browsers alike.

The James Boutique
Expanding into a Grand Rapids storefront, The James Boutique brought its signature style and carefully selected fashion pieces to the local shopping scene.

 

Pickle & Pin on the West Side

Entertainment, Fitness & Things To Do 

In 2025, new entertainment and activity spaces across West Michigan made it easier to get out, try something different, and spend time together — whether that meant breaking a sweat, playing a game, or just having a little fun.

Pickle & Pin
Opening on the West Side, Pickle & Pin blended pickleball, food, and social energy into one space, quickly becoming a go-to for group outings and casual competition.

Revolve Cycle Studio
Located in Ada, Revolve Cycle Studio offered a boutique fitness experience built around high-energy classes, welcoming instructors, and strong community vibes.

Silva
Downtown on North Ottawa Avenue, Silva combined a bar and arcade into a playful late-night destination designed for friendly competition and relaxed hangs.

Grand Rapids Game Show Experience
Situated on Monroe Center, this interactive attraction invited locals to step into the spotlight and experience the thrill of a game show firsthand.

Mermaid Bay Kids Indoor Play
Mermaid Bay Kids Indoor Play opened as a bright, family-friendly space where kids can explore, imagine, and burn off energy year-round.

 

Bamboo Grand Rapids coworking space

New Spaces & Community Additions

Beyond restaurants and retail, 2025 also brought new places designed for gathering, working, and welcoming visitors — adding depth to how people experience West Michigan.

Hotel Rose
Opening in Rockford, Hotel Rose added a boutique lodging option that supports local tourism while offering a cozy stay just outside Grand Rapids.

Ladies Literary Club
Reopening as a café, library, and event space, the historic Ladies Literary Club blended its rich past with modern community programming.

Bamboo Grand Rapids
Bamboo expanded its coworking presence downtown, creating flexible workspace options for entrepreneurs, remote professionals, and growing teams.

 

Notable Moments & Big Developments in 2025 

While new businesses added energy at street level, several major milestones made headlines throughout the year:

• Grand Rapids celebrated its 175th anniversary, honoring its past while spotlighting future growth.
• The city was named LinkedIn’s #1 fastest-growing metro for jobs, reinforcing its reputation as a place to build a career.
• A new Grand Rapids Public Service Center officially opened, centralizing city services and improving accessibility.
• Reports highlighted over $12 billion in development projects reshaping downtown and surrounding neighborhoods.
• The region added more than 1,300 new tech jobs, signaling continued diversification of the local economy.
• National attention followed coverage of Grand Rapids’ quality of life and relative affordability compared to other mid-sized metros.
• Ground was broken on East Riverfront Park, marking a major step forward in riverfront revitalization.
• Grand Rapids unveiled its new professional soccer team, Athletic Club Grand Rapids, bringing more sports excitement downtown.
• The city opened its first new fire station in nearly 40 years, investing in public safety and infrastructure.
• Details were announced for the opening of Acrisure Amphitheater, setting the stage for a new era of live entertainment.
• The Grand Rapids African American Museum celebrated the ribbon-cutting of its new site, expanding cultural storytelling and education.

 

Looking Ahead 

What made 2025 special wasn’t just the number of openings or announcements — it was the way they fit so naturally into everyday life here. New spots quickly became weekend staples. Big projects started to feel real. And through it all, Grand Rapids and West Michigan kept that balance of momentum and familiarity that makes the region feel easy to love.

As neighborhoods continue to grow and downtown keeps evolving, the heart of the area remains the same: locally owned businesses, shared community spaces, and people choosing to invest their time, energy, and future here.

Thinking about making West Michigan home? Whether you’re relocating, buying your first home, or settling into your next chapter, working with a local mortgage expert can help you feel confident putting down roots in a place that truly feels like home.