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Good morning, Grand Rapids lets get straight to business.

Because by the time you read this, I’ll be hitting the road for the weekend.

But before I go, let me put you on to some statistics showing Grand Rapids’ growth, deets on new housing, and info on where public school officials are waiting to meet with you.

Lets dive in!

P.S. “The Digest” is now officially “Calder Catch Up”—same digest vibes, just a more recognizable name.

~Sara B.

COMMUNITY BLOCK PARTY

Together with: Independent Bank

Click Image for details | Independent Bank

On Thursday, October 8th, Independent Bank is throwing a community block party to celebrate its new headquarters at 98 Ottawa Avenue.

At the block party, you’ll be able to enjoy…

  • Live music from a local DJ and Artists

  • Complimentary eats

  • Participate in free giveaways and games

And here’s the best part: it’s free for the community and family-friendly.

📍 Fountain Street at 98 Ottawa Avenue

⌛ Thursday, October 8, 2026, 1 PM – 4 PM

REGISTER FOR FREE

Doing local marketing for an event, opening, or just want a spotlight on your business? Get your message shared with 45,500+ GR locals across our audience.

Business News

✅ New

An all-day (and all-night) cocktail and tea lounge with a live performance venue called The MET has been proposed for the former Divani space off Ionia, with entertainment and drink offerings from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Nonla Burger (popular burger restaurant on Bridge St.) is opening a new location near Knapps Corner. The new location will bring the company’s total locations to 4. There’s no specific opening date set yet.

Cuban pizza favorite Montejo’s Cookhouse will have its grand opening on October 10 at the new brick-and-mortar 128 28th Street SW location. Mentioned this one already, but thought I’d follow up with an opening date for ya. ;)

Kobold’s Kitchen’s grand opening will take place on October 1st, with free coffee, $10 fry flights, and access to delicious food and board games to celebrate.

❗ Updates

Starting today at noon, Brewery Vivant is looking to take your vote on a name for its new event space that’s set to open soon.

Talk Of The Town

🚋 A Free Lift Around Downtown

As ArtPrize takes over downtown, Heartside hosts HeartPrize, offering a free trolley that shuttles people between exhibits and the shopping district of Heartside.

🔊 The Noise Is Real

Here’s an interesting weekend project: one of our Creston neighbors created Survey of Sound to collect and then visually display local reports about noise from the Acrisure Amphitheater concerts.

⚾️ Chili At The Local Ball Park

Something fun to do this weekend - nonprofit Fans of Valley Field is once again hosting their annual Chili Cook-Off, raising money to support the historic Sullivan Field, with 28 participating teams.

By The Numbers

Experience GR

Heading into the fall season, the numbers for GR are looking good.

According to City Manager Mark Washington…

  • 3% reduction in property crimes from July 2025 through July 2026

  • 2.7% reduction in motor vehicle thefts from July 2026 through July 2026

  • $10 million was invested in the City of Grand Rapids’ Affordable Housing Fund

  • 1,600 housing units added—the most seen by the city in the past five years.

However, some important things are still on the up and up.

It’s estimated that we need about 13,232 to 15,760 new homes built by 2029 to fill the housing need reported by Housing Next.

To learn more, check out this interview with the city manager.

What’s Happening?

Featured Events

Click the flyer for details

Click the flyer for details

Click the flyer for details

Friday, September 25th

Saturday, September 26th

Sunday, September 27th

Monday, September 28th

Submit Your Event

Live Music

Friday, September 25th

  • Dave Burel | The Score | 12 PM | Free

  • LGJ Jazz Quartet | Horrocks Market | 5 PM - 8 PM | Free

  • Michael J Howe Jr. | Chicago Beef Joint | 6 PM - 9 PM | Free

  • Public Opinion | Morning Ritual Coffee Bar | 6 PM | Free

  • Sophia McIntosh | Downtown Market | 6 PM - 9 PM | Free

  • Brooks & Dunn Premiums: Party Decks, 4Tops, Lounge | Acrisure Amphitheatre | 7 PM - 11 PM | $75+

  • Snorkeler | The Philmore South | 7 PM | $16

  • Class of '98 at The Stache | Elevation | 7 PM | $15 ADV / $20 DOS

  • Grand Rapids Symphony: Simon Trpčeski Plays Prokofiev (September 25-27) | DeVos Performance Hall | 7:30 PM | $22+

  • Music in the Heights - Eric O'Daly and The Folias Duo | Alger Park Church | 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM | Free

  • Kitten and The Tonics and The Palatinos | Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grille | 8 PM | ?

  • Jungle Juice with Mobee Thicc | The Mint | 8 PM | $15 ADV/DOS

  • Free Show Friday: The Moonrays (cosmic surf rock) | Speciation Cellars | 8 PM - 11 PM | Free

  • The Whiskey Charmers | Firebird Bar GR | 9 PM | Free

  • Never Enough + Halfway to Yesterday + Lilac Debris + Mammal Teeth | Mulligan's Pub | (9/25 - 9/26) 10 PM | Free

Saturday, September 26th

  • The American Hotel System | The Full Circle Record Shop | 4 PM - 5:15 PM | Free

  • DJ Jc La Para | New Holland Brewing - The Knickerbocker | 5 PM | Free

  • Out of Favor Boys | Chicago Beef Joint | 6 PM - 9 PM | Free

  • Big Daddy Fox | Horrocks Market | 5 PM - 8 PM | Free

  • Travis Atkinson | Brickyard Tavern | 6 PM | Free

  • Dutton Hollow | Vander Mill | 7 PM - 9:30 PM | Free

  • Simon Trpceski Plays Prokofiev | DeVos Performance Hall | 7:30 PM | $30+

  • Los Reales | The Intersection | 8 PM | ?

  • Chance We Take - Tru-Burn | Mulligan's Pub | (9/26 - 9/27) 10 PM | Free

Sunday, September 27th

  • Glad All Over | The Score | 6 PM - 10 PM | Free

  • Patrick Sweany | Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grille | 7 PM | $17

  • KC & the Sunshine Band | DeVos Performance Hall | 7 PM | $60+

  • Joe Jordan | The Stache | 8 PM | $20 ADV / $25 DOS

  • Jervis Campbell: Good Grief! Tour | The Big Room | 8 PM - 11 PM | $32

Monday, September 28th

  • Bayway at The Stache | Elevation | 6 PM - 7 PM | $32

  • JP & The Energy | The Score | 6 PM | $35

  • Polyphia Tour MMXXVI | GLC Live at 20 Monroe | 6:30 PM - 11:30 PM | $64

*Shows are subject to change, but that’s show biz.

Calder Catch Up

A quick digest of local news that matters

  • 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Advancements at Adam’s School: Planned development to bring accessible housing to seniors, large households, and individuals with disabilities as part of the Boston Square Together project.

  • 🏘 Townhome Transformations: Kent County planning commissioners are considering a 96-unit development in Plainfield Township, pivoting to townhomes from a single-family development plan.

  • ⛳ On the Green: A new private golf club is under development in Ada, adding to a growing trend of golf clubs under construction in Michigan and across the United States.

  • 🏫 Officials in Education: Food justice nonprofit Our Kitchen Table to host a community conversation with candidates running for Grand Rapids Public Schools.

  • 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Community Center Opens: Kentwood is hosting a grand opening of its newly built community center on Saturday.

  • 🍦 Affordable Senior Living: A former Twisters Ice Cream location on Alpine has been demolished to make room for a 52-unit, 55+ only, affordable living apartment complex called Alpine Apartments.

Have news to report? Click here.

That’s All…

But before you go, three things worth knowing about:

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