The investment group that brought Grand Rapids its downtown arena is now researching the feasibility of a year-round downtown Grand Rapids market with retail outlets for local growers and bakers to sell their produce, meats, seafood and pastries. About a dozen possible locations are under consideration.
According to excerpts from the story:
A year-round downtown market, offering fresh produce, meats and other local goods, could be the next big thing from Grand Action, the group that brought the city its arena and convention center. Grand Action, a nonprofit downtown development group led by area business leaders, has hired a nationally known expert in urban markets to explore the feasibility of such a facility. Farmers, property owners, transit officials, leaders of existing markets in the region and others already have met with consultant Ted Spitzer, president of Portland, Maine-based Market Ventures Inc., to discuss the idea. "It's a work in progress," said Grand Action co-Chairman David Frey. "No decisions made, no conclusions reached -- but I would say the early signs are encouraging." The size, location, ownership, management and scope of the facility, which could be similar to markets in Indianapolis, Milwaukee and Columbus, Ohio, are expected to be addressed as part of Spitzer's study.
Read the complete story here.
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.