Good morning, Grand Rapids. I’m Jenny, and this is Calder News.
We’re trying out a brand new section today—Business News—to help you stay on top of all the new (and returning) shops and restaurants in our great city.
There are some pretty tasty features in today’s newsletter, in case you need some out-on-the-town inspiration for this weekend.
~Jenny F.
Union High School Honors Athletic History
Most high schools have a hallway trophy case boasting their sports accomplishments, but Union High School is going a step further to recognize its sports alums. The school recently announced it will launch a Union Redhawks Sport Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame plans to recognize past athletes, as well as coaches and others who have supported the school’s athletic history.
Were you an athlete at Union High School? The Sports Hall of Fame is currently accepting nominations for its inaugural class. Submit your suggestions by July 1. See more details.
The Digest
A briefing of local news that matters
Development
Improvements Coming for Indian Mounds Drive
In November, a survey from Kent County Parks concluded that residents near Indian Mounds Drive, which runs along the Grand River, would like to see the area improved. The Parks Department held a meeting on Monday to discuss different options to make the 4-mile corridor safer and more inviting for the community. Read more here.
Community
Upcoming Millage May Favor Zoo
A 10-year millage for the Grand Rapids Public Museum and John Ball Zoo expires at the end of this year. The millage historically gets evenly split between the two organizations to support animal and artifact care, exhibit maintenance, and educational programming. With the renewal, the city commissioners are considering giving a larger portion to the zoo to support its long-term growth plans. See more details.
Parks
Urban Agriculture Project Awards Funding
Grand Rapids City Commissions awarded its first two awards for the Urban Agriculture Project, which grants funding to organizations with plans to improve city parks. Access of West Michigan will build raised garden beds and plant an urban orchard in Joe Taylor Park, and Jade Rabbit will improve infrastructure and build pollinator habitats in Garfield and MLK parks. Learn about it here.
Have news to report? Click here.
Talk Of The Town
🍅 Main Season at Fulton Street Farmers Market
Fulton Street Farmers Market is open all year round, but the return of its main season is when it really starts feeling like summer. Get your local flowers, produce, and more every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 8 am-2 pm starting Saturday, May 2nd.
☕ New Coffeehouse Offers Free Drink
Wildroast Coffee Co. is celebrating its grand opening this Friday (today), May 1st. Stop by 637 Stocking Ave NW from 8 am-6 pm to see the new digs and get a free drink.
🍸 Find Happy Hour Deals With New App
Zeke Kooyer, a Grand Rapids designer, created HappyHourDealsGR.com to help locals find happy hours in real time. Users can search by restaurant, time of the day, or even by vibe, like “chill” or “upscale.” Learn more here.
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Business News
Returning: Flanagan’s Gets New Owner
Flanagan’s, an Irish-themed pub, closed in 2025 after decades of business. It was recently bought by a new company that will rebrand it as Flanagan’s Social House. No opening date has been announced.
New: Pauly’s Offers Wine Tastings
Pauly’s Wine Experience is opening in May in the former Maggie’s spot in Midtown. It will be both a wine shop and a wine bar and offer wine classes as well as private events.
Returning: K-Pocha Plans 28th Street Store
K-Pocha, an Asian street food restaurant, closed its Wyoming location in February of 2025. Now it has plans to return to Grand Rapids and offer rice bowls, ramen, and bubble waffle ice cream.
New: La Jefa Taqueria Opens in Wyoming
You may know Mary Martinez from Tacos El Cunado on Bridge Street or from her two Tamales Mary locations. La Jefa Taqueria is her newest offering, now open at 1874 28th St SW, where you can fill your taco with one of nine different meat options, or enjoy other Mexican restaurant staples.
What’s Happening?
Friday, May 1st
City Of Wyoming Carnival | Lamar Park | Noon, 2 PM - 8 PM (Through Sunday) | Free
IN THE COUNTENANCE OF KINGS | Peter Martin Wege Theatre | (Through Sun) Various times
First Fridays | Uptown Grand Rapids | Free
Tulip Time Festival | Holland | (5/1 - 5/10) | Free
Hidden Hills Neighborhood Garage Sales | (Through Sat) 9 AM - 3 PM | Free
Bark At Ada Park | Dog Expo | 12 PM - 3 PM | Free
100 for $100 | Grand Valley Artists | 5 PM - 9 PM
GVSU | Van Andel Arena | 7 PM | $0
Saturday, May 2nd
Tulip Time Festival 2026 | Through 5/10
Spring Clean Up | Cascade | 8 AM - 12 PM | Free
Nature Makers Market | Blandford Nature Center | 9 AM | Free
4th Annual Garden Palooza | 1115 Leonard St. | 9 AM - 3 PM | ?
Grand Rapids’ Asian History Exhibit | GRPL Main | 9 AM - 5 PM (Through 5/31) | Free
Free Comic Book Day | Vault of Midnight | 11 AM - 5 PM | Free
Roll 'N Out Food Truck Fest | 250 Seward Ave NW | 11 AM - 8 PM | Free
Mitten Vintage Market | Calder Plaza | 12 PM - 8 PM | Free
Sunday, May 3rd
Yoga Pop-Up | Mexicains Sans Frontieres | 10 AM - 11 AM | Pay what you can
Monday, May 4th
May the 4th | Bricks & Minifigs | 10 AM - 8 PM | Free
Park Yoga | Palmer Park | 6:30 PM | Donation suggested
Live Music
Friday, May 1st
Inneduendo | The Score | 6 PM | Free
A Tribute to Gordon Goodwin with the Truth in Jazz Orchestra | The Stray | 7 PM | $16
Juvenile | GLC Live | 7 PM | $30+
Terraplane Blues Band | Fulton St. Pub | 7 PM | Free
Juvenile | GLC Live | 7 PM | $30+
Decades | Firebird Bar | 9 PM | Free
Print + Strange Plains | Speciation Cellars | 9 PM | Free
Pretty Kool | Twisted Bull | 9:30 PM | Free
Sod the Earth, Blood Rune Sigil, & Inkdrinker | Mulligan’s Pub | 10 PM | Free
Saturday, May 2nd
Dolly Daggger | The Score | 6 PM | Free
Moe Reen and The Bootstrap Boys | Tip Top | 6 PM | $17
Candid Antics and Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra | Founders Brewing Co. | 7 PM | $5 (Suggestion)
The Sam Grisman Project | The BIG Room | 7 PM | $38.50
Warhorses | Pux Cider Taphouse | 7 PM | Free
The Soul Syndicate | Kent Country Club | 7 PM
Hot Carl and The Cleveland Steamers Rock Show | Garage Bar | 7 PM | Free
The Capstone Volunteers, The Westside, Lie. | The Stray | 7 PM | $10+
Layhdee Dey Concert Cabaret | Green Frog Photo | 7:30 PM | $20
Andy Arcade & Friends | The Intersection | 8:30 PM | $22
Sounds Familiar | Firebird Bar | 9 PM | $5
the Dead Horsemen /Klinical Trial | Mulligan’s Pub | 10 PM | Free
Sunday, May 3rd
Americana Sundays | ArtRat Gallery | 3 PM - 5 PM | $25
Dog Man The Musical | DeVos Performance Hall | 4 PM | $30+
Kamenar live | Garage Bar & Grill | 6 PM | Free
*Shows are subject to change, but that’s show biz.
That’s All For Today…
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