Essence Restaurant Group closes Rockford location, shifts to event space
ROCKFORD — Just months after rebranding its downtown Rockford location as Rockford Riverside Grille, Essence Restaurant Group has announced it will cease restaurant operations and reopen temporarily next month as an events and banquet facility.
Feeling the Heat: West Michigan restaurant industry grapples with labor shortage
A struggle to find dedicated staff willing to work for minimum wage has one Grand Rapids pizza shop shifting to a focus on technology.
Craft brewers walk regulatory tightrope with cannabis-related products
On the label of a recently released pale ale, New Belgium Brewing Co. proclaims “Hops and hemp reign — together at last.”
Partners propose new microbrewery near Rockford
Concern over craft brewery saturation in West Michigan emerges among lenders
ROCKFORD — When Seth Rivard and his partners opened Rockford Brewing Co. in 2012 along the White Pine Trail about 15 miles north of Grand Rapids, they turned to a federal lending program that backs bank loans for small businesses.
Navigating a shifting market: Beer braces for eventual plateau, retail challenges; cider and spirits see room to grow
As the craft beverage industry matures, it’s attracted new entrants who may be more concerned with making a quick profit than with the quality of the liquid.