By: Deborah Johnson Wood
Investors from Germany and Grand Rapids have teamed up to provide much of the financing for an ambitious culinary and nightlife venture at 70 Ionia SW. Business partners Corey Hart and Shannon Williams plan a July opening of their new restaurant, bakery, and nightclub.
About two-thirds of the 8,400-square-foot space is dedicated to Moxie, an upscale nighttime venue geared for the 21-to-45 crowd. DJs will provide entertainment.
The restaurant, Churchill's, and bakery, KJ Elaine, will take up the remaining space with seats for 80 customers in a contemporary atmosphere. An extensive selection of wines, whiskeys, and bourbons will complement a menu of American "comfort foods" with an international twist—Guinness stew, for example—and Viennese-style pastries. Both the bakery and restaurant will offer catering services.
The restaurant and nightclub will be separate entities with their own entrances and style. However, both of them will keep late hours; the restaurant will be open from 11 AM until 2 AM seven days a week.
"We are looking for a comfortable, intimate dining experience in the restaurant," said owner Corey Hart. "It’ll be a great spot for after a concert, the ballet, or the symphony; a great spot to stop for a coffee, a cordial, and some dessert.
"Our focus is not only on hospitality. We're interested in hosting a lot of fundraisers, charities, and arts for young professionals," said Hart, 31. "We want to show young people like ourselves that we are making an investment and making Grand Rapids a cool city."
Source: Corey Hart, Churchill's, Moxie, KJ Elaine; Chris Beckering, Grubb Ellis Paramount Commerce
Deborah Johnson Wood is the Development News Editor for Rapid Growth. She can be reached at [email protected].
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