http://blog.mlive.com/knapescorner/West Michigan Business News and Analysis by Chris KnapeenWed, 04 Nov 2009 11:28:58 PSTMovable Type Enterprise 4.29-advance http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/noWest Michigan Business News and Analysis by Chris Knapeknapescornerhttp://feedburner.google.comhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/knapescorner/~3/dGqBixb38yw/leed_in_a_soft_market_boland_b.htmlRenovationsChris Knape | The Grand Rapids PressWed, 04 Nov 2009 11:28:58 PSTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/knapescorner//2337.3879751 ]]>The otherwise rather unremarkable Boland Building at 1331 Lake Drive SE has been transformed into an experiment in going green.http://blog.mlive.com/knapescorner/2009/11/leed_in_a_soft_market_boland_b.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/knapescorner/~3/XkZHsAvW8bs/bar_in_grand_rapids_medical_mi.htmlDevelopmentChris Knape | The Grand Rapids PressMon, 02 Nov 2009 06:46:15 PSTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/knapescorner//2337.3805143 ]]>Owner Mike Farah says he's adding some windows on the front and side of the building to make it more transparent and making extensive renovations to its interior.http://blog.mlive.com/knapescorner/2009/10/bar_in_grand_rapids_medical_mi.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/knapescorner/~3/LJPWWZ2yPDE/judy_kolkman_of_byron_center_w.htmlRetailChris Knape | The Grand Rapids PressThu, 22 Oct 2009 06:43:52 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/knapescorner//2337.3802929 ]]>Judy said she plans to use the gift card toward a Christmas present since she has been laid off from her job at a yacht manufacturer and hasn't had luck finding work.http://blog.mlive.com/knapescorner/2009/10/judy_kolkman_of_byron_center_w.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/knapescorner/~3/wcNPJ8mtUXQ/win_a_woodland_gift_card_and_o.htmlBusiness - West MichiganChris Knape | The Grand Rapids PressMon, 19 Oct 2009 06:46:04 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/knapescorner//2337.3788578 ]]>E-mail Chris Knape for a chance to win a $10 gift card to Woodland Mall, plus popcorn and a coffee mug.http://blog.mlive.com/knapescorner/2009/10/win_a_woodland_gift_card_and_o.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/knapescorner/~3/WmJH9Xc-4hQ/spartan_fans_rejoice_georgios.htmlBusiness - West MichiganGrand Rapids - EntertainmentGrand Rapids - Home Page - BusinessRestaurantsChris Knape | The Grand Rapids PressTue, 13 Oct 2009 13:54:28 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/knapescorner//2337.3762910 ]]>There will be no shortage of pies around downtown.http://blog.mlive.com/knapescorner/2009/10/spartan_fans_rejoice_georgios.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/knapescorner/~3/4aMqGRpY2Iw/cinco_de_mayo_restaurant_in_do.htmlBusiness - West MichiganGrand Rapids - EntertainmentGrand Rapids - Home Page - BusinessRestaurantsChris Knape | The Grand Rapids PressTue, 13 Oct 2009 13:54:53 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/knapescorner//2337.3762891 ]]>The Mexican restaurant and bar Cinco de Mayo still is planned for the former Herkner Jewelers space in downtown Grand Rapids.http://blog.mlive.com/knapescorner/2009/10/cinco_de_mayo_restaurant_in_do.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/knapescorner/~3/Ya1wrFzl5jA/downtown_grand_rapids_business.htmlBusiness - West MichiganGrand Rapids - EntertainmentGrand Rapids - Home Page - BusinessRestaurantsRetailChris Knape | The Grand Rapids PressMon, 12 Oct 2009 12:28:36 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/knapescorner//2337.3758775 ]]>Women's boutique, Peppino's pizza and Thai restaurant all slated to open soon.http://blog.mlive.com/knapescorner/2009/10/downtown_grand_rapids_business.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/knapescorner/~3/GX5qAUEy5MI/grand_rapids_tallest_building.htmlFeaturedGrand Rapids - Home Page - BusinessGrand Rapids - Home Page - NewsChris Knape | The Grand Rapids PressTue, 06 Oct 2009 13:35:06 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/knapescorner//2337.3731542 ]]>Deal with River House's lenders requires it to sell 85 units in the $80 million tower by Oct. 31. http://blog.mlive.com/knapescorner/2009/10/grand_rapids_tallest_building.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/knapescorner/~3/ZYYiLgwL9KQ/4th_street_deli_set_to_open_on.htmlBusiness - West MichiganGrand Rapids - EntertainmentGrand Rapids - Home Page - BusinessRestaurantsChris Knape | The Grand Rapids PressThu, 01 Oct 2009 08:42:51 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/knapescorner//2337.3708175 ]]>Next Wednesday is expected to mark the debut of 4th Street Deli, 528 4th Street, a new restaurant from Cherry Deli owners Scott and Suzanne Schulz.http://blog.mlive.com/knapescorner/2009/10/4th_street_deli_set_to_open_on.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/knapescorner/~3/KcfcxF6IdS4/hotel_wont_come_quickly_after.htmlBusiness - West MichiganDevelopmentChris Knape | The Grand Rapids PressWed, 30 Sep 2009 06:34:56 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/knapescorner//2337.3701557 ]]>Demolition started on the old Western American Mailers building, 720 Monroe Ave. NW, today, but don't look for a new hotel to start going up there right away.http://blog.mlive.com/knapescorner/2009/09/hotel_wont_come_quickly_after.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/knapescorner/~3/CBlkt9Un32g/grand_rapids_businesses_left_p.htmlDowntown sightsGrand Rapids - EntertainmentGrand Rapids - Home Page - NewsChris Knape | The Grand Rapids PressMon, 28 Sep 2009 15:38:33 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/knapescorner//2337.3695297 ]]>How could any business have been prepared for the deluge the ArtPrize brought?http://blog.mlive.com/knapescorner/2009/09/grand_rapids_businesses_left_p.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/knapescorner/~3/TB6Ngt9VuLw/blog_reader_wins_artprize_gift.htmlDowntown sightsChris Knape | The Grand Rapids PressFri, 25 Sep 2009 08:29:44 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/knapescorner//2337.3681921 ]]>M. Ted Droski stands in front of Erwin Erkfitz's "We're All Connected 2.0" mural on the side of 209 S. Division Ave.Congratulations, M. Ted Droski, who was selected to win the bag-o-ArtPrize stuff from Grand Rapids-based Promotional Impact/Greengiftz.com. Chris Knape...http://blog.mlive.com/knapescorner/2009/09/blog_reader_wins_artprize_gift.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/knapescorner/~3/ma5_0A3IzUk/by_chris_knape_the.htmlBusiness - West MichiganDowntown sightsGrand Rapids - Home Page - BusinessGrand Rapids - Home Page - InteractChris Knape | The Grand Rapids PressWed, 23 Sep 2009 11:06:33 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/knapescorner//2337.3670107 ]]>On Wednesday, ArtPrize, a celebration of all that is good (and, arguably, bad) about our creative souls, takes off on an 18-day ride and puts the city on an international stage.http://blog.mlive.com/knapescorner/2009/09/by_chris_knape_the.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/knapescorner/~3/A77BzYpfvXE/artprize_greengiftz_giveaway.htmlBusiness - West MichiganNews - Grand RapidsThe Grand Rapids PressTue, 22 Sep 2009 12:06:33 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/knapescorner//2337.3668890 ]]>I'm giving away the entire package of ArtPrize freebies to one lucky blog reader.http://blog.mlive.com/knapescorner/2009/09/artprize_greengiftz_giveaway.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/knapescorner/~3/qKfkcVZ-R18/lia_rose_opening_on_monroe_cen.htmlBusiness - West MichiganRetailThe Grand Rapids PressMon, 14 Sep 2009 12:24:20 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/knapescorner//2337.3626130 ]]>Chris Knape | The Grand Rapids PressLia Rose, a new women's boutique, is slated to open in October at 40 Monroe Center, the former home of Pallets, Little Bohemia Shoe Boutique and aPear. A new women's clothing store will take...http://blog.mlive.com/knapescorner/2009/09/lia_rose_opening_on_monroe_cen.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/knapescorner/~3/SyIgGyBCxRc/bobville_project_edging_ahead.htmlBusiness - West MichiganDevelopmentThe Grand Rapids PressFri, 11 Sep 2009 09:43:46 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/knapescorner//2337.3605925 ]]> Greg Gilmore is moving ahead on the planned festival marketplace addition to The B.O.B., which I'll continue to call "Bobville" for lack of a better name....http://blog.mlive.com/knapescorner/2009/09/bobville_project_edging_ahead.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/knapescorner/~3/ms84tMGRdQk/fall_heats_up_in_downtown_gran.htmlBusiness - West MichiganDowntown sightsFeaturedRestaurantsThe Grand Rapids PressTue, 08 Sep 2009 11:17:14 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/knapescorner//2337.3581855 ]]> Kids are at school. Michigan Street was a parking lot during my morning commute. Western Michigan lost another big football game. Summer is over. Life is returning to normal. Still, this fall brings an array of great new things...http://blog.mlive.com/knapescorner/2009/09/fall_heats_up_in_downtown_gran.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/knapescorner/~3/MeLO32_avYI/25_kitchen_bar_coming_to_forme.htmlDowntown sightsThe Grand Rapids PressFri, 28 Aug 2009 10:09:41 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/knapescorner//2337.3520350 ]]>Chris Knape | The Grand Rapids Press25 Kitchen will soon open in the building formerly occupied by Margarita Grill, by Van Andel Arena. More downtown bar news: The former Margarita Grill, 25 Ottawa Ave. SW, is getting gutted in preparation...http://blog.mlive.com/knapescorner/2009/08/25_kitchen_bar_coming_to_forme.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/knapescorner/~3/ceMlANGO9QU/downtown_grand_rapids_farmers.htmlDowntown sightsFeaturedThe Grand Rapids PressWed, 26 Aug 2009 15:02:38 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/knapescorner//2337.3508308 ]]> I've been meaning to blog about the urban market concept being tossed around by Grand Action, the people who brought us DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena....http://blog.mlive.com/knapescorner/2009/08/downtown_grand_rapids_farmers.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/knapescorner/~3/ouhsQLuoKBE/plans_for_grand_rapids_heart_o.htmlBusiness - West MichiganDevelopmentThe Grand Rapids PressThu, 20 Aug 2009 10:39:52 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/knapescorner//2337.3470561 ]]>Courtesy Design PlusA rendering of Heart of the City Health Center. Larger photo The folks over at Design Plus sent over a rendering of the Heart of the City Health Center....http://blog.mlive.com/knapescorner/2009/08/plans_for_grand_rapids_heart_o.htmlnonadult