06-03-2025
Metro Grand Rapids restaurant owners turn to community for support
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — When a business closes, people lose their livelihood, they lose a place they built memories and they lose an important piece of their community.
'Independent local businesses really are the charm and the character that make our city what it is,' Rachel Lee, owner of River North Public House, said.
Lee opened the restaurant in Grand Rapids' Creston neighborhood in July 2019.
'River North is one of my dreams, providing excellent food and service and beverages in a really beautiful restaurant and in one of like the best neighborhoods in Grand Rapids,' Lee told News 8.
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Now, she's at a crossroads.
'When we opened, we were so excited to be part of this neighborhood. Within the first six months, two other restaurants announced that they were going to have projects across the street,' Lee explained.
That never happened. The lack of new businesses bringing more people to the area, the COVID-19 pandemic and a lot of major street construction have stunted River North's growth.
'I'm showing up with my game day face and we're doing things a little differently here to be a little bit more conservative on how we're spending and also trying to not have to pass the increase price increases on to our guests. We don't like surprise service charges or anything like that,' Lee said.
She said it's a challenge for small businesses to stay afloat with the current state of the economy. That's why she turned to the community to be transparent.
'Community support will determine if River North remains open past April,' Lee wrote in a . 'Yes, we know that's soon. Yes, we believe in River North, we believe in the vitality of this neighborhood and community.'
The post went on to inform people how they could help and that their support 'helps preserve jobs, sustain families, and ensures that unique, independently owned restaurants continue to thrive in the beautiful Creston neighborhood.'
Lee said it hurt to hear the news that Monday.
'Every day that you hear a business closes its doors, it's felt by all of us,' she told News 8. 'It hurts a lot of us, not just as a restaurant owner, but it hurts us as a neighbor, and it hurts as someone that cares about the vitality of our business districts in Grand Rapids.'
That's why she believes that is it not only OK, but at times necessary to ask for help.
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'I think that by being transparent, it gives us that opportunity to show up with an extra Hail Mary pass and say, 'Hey, we want to be here and we need you and we want to be part of this community,' she said.
Lee isn't the only one to turn to utilize that 'Hail Mary.' Jenna Arcidiacono, well-known owner of Amore Trattoria Italia and founder of , took to social media on Wednesday to share that her restaurant had 19 guests total in one night.
'I am not telling you this so you feel sorry for us. It's just to try to explain why you are seeing way too many local places closing lately,' read in part.
'The days where we are slow, we are bleeding money. Just like any other small business. Many small businesses including restaurants don't have an infinite rainy day bank account. Hence, these closures. Please don't blame it on politics- it's been leading up to this for years,' the post continued. 'If you can support local, now is the time.'
Lee said she acknowledges that her team and the business district have work to do, but she's grateful for the response she's gotten so far.
'This is happening to a lot of small, independent businesses in Grand Rapids and so I think that people understanding the impact of what a closed business does for an area and neighborhood, it's really helping the community work together to say these places matter, these are part of our neighborhood and we are community and it's really a beautiful thing for us,' she said.
She's hopeful that support will continue and said there are a lot of ways people can help. Of course, dining in or placing an online or catering order are appreciated, but there are smaller, cheaper ways to help like including leaving a review, sharing a post or simply spreading the word.
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Every Wednesday in March, River North is hosting : 10% of sales will go toward supporting a different nonprofit each week. The was the restaurant's first featured partner Wednesday night.
'We think this is a really good win-win opportunity to support our local businesses and support our nonprofits,' Kristina Colby, interim executive director of CNA, said. 'We have a really good relationship with River North Public House and we're just looking forward to continuing that relationship.'
Lee said it's an opportunity for the nonprofits to raise some money and get some exposure while bringing business into the restaurant. River North also hopes to expand its services by hosting more events and private parties in its venue.
'We're part of the Creston neighborhood. We're part of the fabric, and we want to keep our doors open,' Lee said.
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