Best New, Longstanding Grand Rapids' businesses nominated for Nov. biz awards

By: Deborah Johnson Wood

Some 90 nominations were submitted for Grand Rapids' 18^th annual Neighborhood Business Awards, and two of the most popular categories were Best New Business and Best Longstanding Business. The Neighborhood Business Alliance and Neighborhood Ventures sponsor the awards as a way for the community to honor its favorite businesses.

Pink Blvd, 974 Cherry, just opened three weeks ago and is one of the 'Best New Business' nominees. Debbie Otten, co-owner with Kirsten McLin, describes the store as a "very girly store" offering clothing, accessories, and gifts for women who are mid-20s to "hip mid-50s."

"We love fashion and we love clothes," says Otten. "We also love that East Hills is a shopping destination, where people can walk and shop."

The complete list of Best New Business nominees include:

• Accents Gallery, 1054 W. Fulton
• Bloom Restaurant, 962 Cherry SE
• Bobby J's Downtown, 15 Jefferson SE
• Bravo Market, 1000 W. Fulton
• David and Bathsheba, 958 Lake Drive
• El Chisme, 739 Burton
• Food Smith, 122 S. Division
• Gathering Grounds Coffee House, 2404 Eastern SE
• GV's Clothing, 537 Leonard
• Lavanderia Jalisco, 2151 S. Division
• Mangiamo, 1033 Lake Frive
• Nantucket Baking Company, 208 Union NE
• Pink Blvd, 974 Cherry SE
• Rosa's Restaurant, 2046 S. Division
• Sundae's in the Heights, 2404 Eastern SE
• The Photography Room, 15 Ionia

Real Food Café, 2419 Eastern Avenue, is a nominee for 'Best Longstanding Business.' For seven years, the restaurant has served up breakfasts, lunches, and pastries, all made from scratch.

"Many customers come here twice a day for breakfast and lunch," says Frank Amodeo, co-owner with his wife, Renee. "About 90 percent of our customers are people who keep coming back."

The complete list of Best Longstanding Business nominees includes:

• Mahogany Island of Beauty, 956 Hall SE
• Ferris Coffee & Nut, 227 Winter
• George Katsoris Shoe Repair, 1558 Wealthy SE
• Harvest Health Foods, 1944 Eastern SE
• J. Taylor Electric, 1200 Jefferson
• Jurgens and Holtvluwer Men's Store, 1054 Leonard NW
• Kingma's Produce, 2225 Plainfield NE
• Kleiman's Men's Clothing, 424 S. Division
• Mika's Boutique, 701-703 Eastern
• Modern Hardware, 1500 Kalamazoo SE
• Pickwick Tavern, 970 Cherry SE
• Real Food Café, 2419 Eastern SE
• Standard Lumber, 1535 Kalamazoo SE
• Swift Printing, 404 Bridge NW
• Viking Fitness, 2111 S. Division

Winners will be announced at a gala event from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. November 8, 2007 at the Wealthy Street Theatre. The event is free and open to the public.

Stay tuned to Rapid Growth over the coming weeks for the continuation of our Development News series on the categories and nominations, and for the opportunity to vote online for your favorites.

Source: Rebekka Kwast, Neighborhood Ventures; Debbie Otten, Pink Blvd; Frank Amodeo, Real Food Café

Photographs by Brian Kelly

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Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].