East Hills-Cherry Hill Visiting Guide
Tommy Allen
Thursday, February 15, 2007
With its tall buildings, expansive sidewalks, and increasingly compact development, the City of Grand Rapids is the unrivaled urban center of the state’s second largest metropolitan area. But the East Hills district, just east of downtown, is known locally as the Center of the Universe.
Like so many stories of urban revitalization, the one about East Hills begins with decay. Years ago, an abandoned gas station lot strewn with overgrown weeds and surrounded by a chain link fence symbolized the blight at the doorstep of a nearly forgotten neighborhood.
That’s when artist Reb Roberts took matters into his own hands. He painted a vivid sign that read simply ‘East Hills: Center of the Universe’ and fastened it tightly to the fence encircling the vacant lot. Once perceived as a black hole sucking the vitality of an area increasingly void of life, the dreary lot suddenly became viewed as a bright and welcome opportunity to reverse the downward slide with new ideas, investment, and passion.
Since then, East Hills has boomed and become an inviting destination for visitors. Want the best rib dinner in town? Like watching classic films in ornate historic theatres? Or how about a chilled beer and friendly conversation in a classic European-style pub? East Hills has a diverse collection of shops, services, and entertainment that cater to a wide variety of tastes and interests.
Wake up and smell the coffee
What better way to start the day than with a hearty breakfast? The convergence of Lake, Cherry, and Diamond streets is developing a reputation as the Breakfast Triangle, offering three unique and highly specialized eateries.
Gaia, Grand Rapids original coffee shop, specializes in vegetarian cooking. Started more than 20 years ago with only a few tables, the restaurant has expanded over the years but still retains it’s down home-style cooking and artsy feel.
“It is like Berkley meets Ann Arbor,” said K.C. Caliendo, Gaia’s founder and former owner. “It is amazing to see how this restaurant has maintained its earthy laid back roots.”
Don’t wait for the server to bring the coffee. Blend with the regulars by getting up, grabbing a mug off the shelf, and pouring your own cup of a hearty organic brew.
Gaia stays open until the early evening on most days. But popular breakfast dishes like the favorite Veggie Hash and Cuban Eggs are served at all times.
The Cherie Inn, located around the corner from Gaia, is a French style café. For more than six decades this choice breakfast spot has served the best hollandaise sauce in town and a wide ranging menu of daily specials prepared by the chef.
Marie Catrib’s, the newest edition to the Breakfast Triangle, is on the corner of Lake and Diamond, smack dab at the Center of the Universe. (See Reb Robert’s Center of the Universe painting hanging on the wall.)
The tasty food, served throughout the day and into early evening, is of the caliber usually found in bigger cities. Popular favorite dishes include the tofu stir-fry with spinach and the stuffed French toast with ham and cheese. Most dishes are accompanied with their spicy Middle Eastern seasoned potatoes.
Visitors who arrive early or at off times, especially on weekends, can avoid delays for a table. But the food and service is well worth the wait. Proprietors Marie Catrib and her son Fouad keep waiting guests happy by handing out samples of their fresh baked goods and beverages.
A day of exploring
East Hills is comprised of three distinct business districts – East Hills, East Fulton, and Wealthy Street – and all are within a few blocks of each other.
The East Hills business district, which runs along Lake Drive, features boutiques like the creative gift shop Over The River and The Conservatory, an eclectic store that includes a wide selection of items used in the lost art of letter writing.
Across the street is Nourish, a trendy New York City style boutique. This lifestyle shop offers home furnishings, contemporary gifts, and eclectic food items not found anywhere else in Grand Rapids. Specialty items include an extensive selection of chocolate.
The newly opened Byrneboehm Gallery is the district’s latest art stop. It features a unique blend of works from both emerging and established artists hanging side by side. Co-owner Kevin Boehm, “likes to highlight the contrast of styles between the artists.” Here a contemporary abstract piece can be contrasted with vibrant landscapes.
The East Fulton district, located around the intersection of Fulton Street and Diamond, is home to a wide variety of businesses, ranging from the Mercury Head Gallery, the fine arts shop, to Rinaldi Pizza to the popular local bakery Van’s Pastry Shoppe.
Furniture dealers include Bluedoor Antiques, Amrayllis, which offers antiques from Asia, and East/West Futons. Each store offers a unique selection to suit almost anyone’s taste.
The Wealthy Street strip is the longest of the three business districts and currently is experiencing an intense renaissance. The rows of freshly renovated storefronts stand as a testament to the revival of this area.
The range of shops includes the exceptionally distinct Art of the Table which, according to owner Amy Ruis, “is a specialty food, beverage, and tabletop retail store.” In addition to tableware, glassware, and gift items, the shop offers up a unique collection of handcrafted beers, fine wines, and artisan cheese.
Next door is the bustling Wealthy Street Bakery, where locals pop in for coffee, a fresh baked scone, a sweet cookie, or a thin crust pizza.
Phil’s Stuff and Acanthus Antiques are must see destinations for antique enthusiasts. And the latest edition to the district is the bath, body, and flower shop named simply after its location on the street, Wealthy at Charles.
The Wealthy Street district also is home to many of the city’s favorite food joints, including The Rib Crib, Wing’s Heaven, and Sandmann’s, the outstanding barbeque stand where locals and suburbanites alike drop in for ribs and chicken takeout. Now is not the time to count calories, so be sure to grab a whole sweet potato pie, one of their specialties.
A taste of Italy, Ethiopia in the evening
With the rock concerts and dance clubs downtown, East Hills offers a more relaxed nightlife.
The newly opened Mangiamo! is the place to find an authentic Italian style meal. The menu features classic lasagna, deep dish pizza, wood-fired steaks, and a list of more than 70 wines.
The restaurant is located in a recently renovated historic mansion originally constructed in 1875. Guests approach the entrance of Mangiamo! under the watchful gaze of an over sized Mona Lisa hanging on the side of the building. Just a few steps inside and guests are greeted by live piano music spilling out from the bar where patrons gather for cocktails and conversation before moving on to dinner.
East Hills also is home to Little Africa, Grand Rapids’ only Ethiopian restaurant, located near the intersection of Fulton and Diamond.
Those with more traditional culinary tastes will appreciate the Cherry Street Deli, which offers an array of hearty sandwich, homemade soups, and fresh salads.
A brew before bed
The quaint Pickwick Tavern is where the locals gather to enjoy draft beer, watch the game, and listen to the bartenders as they serve up drinks and banter with the locals.
Kelly, the bartender, is a mainstay who tends to know everyone by name and vice. A night listening to the many stories that unfold behind and in front of the bar provides visitors with a genuine feel and appreciation for the character of this diverse, hardworking neighborhood.
The Pick closes earlier than downtown bars. But after a day spent wandering about East Hills, most are ready for sleep as Kelly turns out the lights.
For more information about East Hills-Cherry Hill visit the:
- Moving Guide
- Investing Guide
Directions to East Hills-Cherry Hill
From the North:
Take US-131 South and merge onto I-196 via Exit 86A on the left toward Lansing. Continue to Exit 78 College Ave and turn right onto College Ave NE. Turn Left onto Fulton St E and then turn slight right onto Lake Drive SE. Arrive in East Hills-Cherry Hill.
From the East:
Take I-96 West toward Downtown Grand Rapids and take Exit 79 for Fuller Ave. Turn left onto Fuller Ave NE and then right onto Michigan St NE. Turn left onto Diamond Ave NE and arrive in East Hills-Cherry Hill.
From the South:
Take US-131 North toward Grand Rapids and take Exit 84B for I-131-BR toward Downtown. Turn left onto Ionia Ave SW, then right onto Fulton ST E. Turn slight right onto Lake Dr SE and arrive in East Hills-Cherry Hill.
From the West:
Take I-96 East toward Grand Rapids and merge onto US-131 South via Exit 31A toward Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo. Continue and merge onto I-196 via Exit 86A on the Left toward Lansing. Take Exit 78 for College Ave and turn right onto College Ave NE. Turn left onto Fulton St E and then slight right onto Lake Dr SE. Arrive in East Hills-Cherry Hill.
Take I-196 East toward Grand Rapids. Continue to Exit 78 for College Ave and turn right onto College Ave NE. Turn left onto Fulton St E and then slight right onto Lake Dr SE. Arrive in East Hills-Cherry Hill.