Eastown Visiting Guide
Deborah Johnson Wood
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Eastown did it the way Eastown does everything—different than everyone else.
Most communities get their start because people find a nice place to settle down. Then the residents want a few amenities, so the grocery stores, shops, and taverns pop up. But not in Eastown.
Eastown started with the amenities. Then, after the people saw what a nice place it was, they moved in. And they stayed.
In the 1800s, when the streetcar lines were a thriving enterprise, Eastown was the layover stop for the line that ran between Reeds Lake and downtown Grand Rapids. The passengers were affluent whites who could afford to ride the streetcars. Near the intersection of the five corners—Lake Drive, Wealthy, and Norwood—passengers had to disembark to switch lines. They had nothing to do while they waited for the next streetcar. They were hungry, thirsty, and had money to spend but no place to spend it. In response to the demand, the supply showed up. Restaurants, grocery stores, and clothing shops lined the streetcar tracks, and Eastown was born.
Today, Eastown is the hippest community going. Historic brick streets lined with trees and flowers lead to art galleries, coffee shops, earth-conscious clothing stores, and ethnic restaurants. Mingled among them are video stores, rare book dealers, comic book shops, and bars. The business district is just a few blocks from Reeds Lake, around the corner from Aquinas College, and down the street from the vaudeville-era Wealthy Street Theater.
A Real Variety Show
Eastown’s collection of galleries, offbeat shops, and restaurants have become places of pilgrimage for many locals.
“We have the nicest customer service in the area,” said Albert Kosan, manager of The New Yorker Men’s Wear, “and that’s what’s kept us in business thirty years. We carry casual clothes, suits, dressy stuff, and all sizes up to size 60 suitcoats and size 6X in shirts. We also sell shoes—the biggest selection in Grand Rapids.”
Clothing Matters and Green Heiress offer the latest in comfortable clothing made from natural fibers using earth-friendly and people-friendly methods.
For those who want to try their hand at making their own clothing, City Knitting has the supplies, classes, and enthusiasm to ensure that every city knitter can satisfy their addiction.
The Camera Center has everything any photographer needs regardless of their prowess with the lens. Their knowledgeable staff members are a bit on the crazy side, ready to make customers smile. Their “Camera Museum” features vintage cameras and accessories displayed on shelves overflowing with photography memorabilia.
Spirit Dreams and Terra Stella feed the seeker’s soul, and Eastown’s eclectic restaurant fare feeds the body.
With restaurants like Wolfgang’s, Szechuan Garden, Bombay Cuisine, Brandywine, Silver Cactus, Pita House, and Eastown Deli, diners can satisfy their cravings with everything from hearty American breakfasts to specialty dishes from India to Middle Eastern delicacies.
“We have a nice, social place to come and relax and hang out after work if you don’t want to do the bar scene,” said Alex Farhat, co-owner of The Hookah Lounge. A hookah is a traditional waterpipe from the Middle East. Thirty flavored tobaccos add to the smokers’ enjoyment as they relax on overstuffed chairs and couches, munch on appetizers, sip a cappuccino, and watch music videos on the large screen television.
Nearby Mulligan’s Pub is a celtic-style bar where customers can relax with a good imported beer or quaff a local brew. A pool table in the back and several televisions keep the early evenings quiet, but the place comes alive as the evening wears on.
Across the street is nighttime hotspot Billy’s Lounge, known for its nightly live music, including rock, funk, reggae, jazz, and open mic night. On Friday and Saturday nights, Billy’s rocks with some of the area’s best blues. Tap your toes at the table, or strut your stuff on the dance floor.
The Wealthy Theater, built in 1911 for vaudeville shows, is just west of Eastown. The theater was vacant and decaying for three decades until its renovation in 1998. It reopened as a community arts center and plays host to foreign films, dance classes, plays, lectures, art shows, and more.
The Performing Arts Center at Aquinas College is the home of the Circle Theater. Circle’s summer theater presentations play to packed houses. They also showcase solo performances and children’s theater.
A Banner Year in the Neighborhood
“Next year will be a big year for us” said Carrie Chludzinski, community organizer of the Eastown Community Association. 2007 marks the 30th anniversary of the founding of the ECA, and Eastown’s most popular art events, Bizarre Bazaar and the Eastown StreetFair.
Bizarre Bazaar was created as a venue to get local artisans out to promote their wares, to spotlight local acoustic musicians, and draw people into the Eastown restaurants.
“For one day every June, we close down Wealthy Street between Atlas and Lake Drive,” Chludzinski said, “about 100 vendors set up in the street, and we have several acoustic style music groups that play. It’s sort of a low-key, grassroots event where the neighbors come out and share their artwork. The artisans offer everything from furniture, paintings, and photography to antiques and vintage clothing. This year, one guy even set up a booth and sold shoes. You never know what you’re going to find; it’s a bazaar—a bizarre bazaar.”
In September, the ECA has the Eastown StreetFair, their largest event, again on Wealthy Street.
“We have two stages set up outside with bands going all day,” Chludzinski said. “We have about 80 vendors and usually a couple of masseuses giving back and neck rubs. We have lots of food vendors, too; walking tacos and elephant ears are some of the fun foods. A lot of our restaurants have their own food booths with offerings that are not on their normal menus.”
Billy’s Lounge opens for the day and invites StreetFair goers in to listen to some live blues while they enjoy a brew.
For the past two years, the Eastown Community Association and the Eastown Business Association have put their collective heads together and sponsored Holly Day, a December shopping event.
“We have Santa come to town,” Chludzinski said, “and the ECA sells wreaths and Christmas trees. We have carolers sing on the streets, the stores decorate, and the ECA decorates the lampposts. The stores are open longer hours. Some of them have hot cocoa, hot cider, or cookies, and many of them have holiday specials.”
Eastown is a forward-thinking community that embraces the unordinary, works hand-in-hand to find solutions to community challenges, and has fun while they’re doing it.
For more information about Eastown visit the:
- Moving Guide
- Investing Guide
Directions to Eastown
From the North:
Take US-131 South toward Grand Rapids and merge onto I-196 East via Exit 86A on the left toward Lansing. Take the Fuller Ave exit, Exit 79. Turn right onto Fuller Ave NE and then turn left onto Lake Dr SE. Arrive in Eastown.
From the East:
Take I-96 West toward Grand Rapids and keep left to take I-196 West toward Downtown Grand Rapids/Holland. Take Exit 79 for Fuller Ave and turn left onto Fuller Ave NE. Turn left onto Lake Dr SE and arrive in Eastown.
From the South:
Take US-131 North toward Grand Rapids and merge onto I-196 East via Exit 86A toward Lansing. Take the Fuller Ave exit, Exit 79. Turn right onto Fuller Ave NE and then turn left onto Lake Dr SE. Arrive in Eastown.
From the West:
Take I-196 East toward Grand Rapids. Take the Fuller Ave exit, Exit 79. Turn right onto Fuller Ave NE and then turn left onto Lake Dr SE. Arrive in Eastown.
Take I-96 East toward Grand Rapids and merge onto US-131 South via Exit 31A towards Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo. Merge onto I-196 East via Exit 86A on the left toward Lansing. Take the Fuller Ave exit, Exit 79. Turn right onto Fuller Ave NE and then turn left onto Lake Dr SE. Arrive in Eastown.
Photographs by Brian Kelly - All Rights Reserved
Eastown from above
Melissa Thorndill - manager of Green Heiress
The New Yorker
Billiards at Mulligan's Pub
Yesterdog
Flower box at Terrra Stella