3 new shops near Division and Wealthy

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Three businesses are ready to move into a new development near a Grand Rapids intersection that previously sat empty for years.

A Biggby coffee shop, a Subway restaurant and a Chasing Vanity Salon and Spa will be part of an already-built development near the intersection of Division Avenue and Wealthy Street SE. Subway will open in early May and the other two retailers will open later this summer.

The development means the return of retail to this section of town.

The Inner City Christian Federation, the developer on this project, bought three-and-a-half blocks in the area, calling it the Tapestry Square.

The first two buildings are already completed in the 100 block of Wealthy Street. They host retail on the bottom section, and apartments on upper floors. The retail space and 32 apartments were rented in less than four months.

"There is a tremendous return to the city movement," Jonathan Bradford of the Inner City Christian Federation said. "There is a great, great deal of excitement, energy around living downtown. Just by the waiting list, they tell us living in Grand Rapids there is a real, new day when it comes to downtown housing."

The three shops are the first step in a five-phase project that includes building a charter school, more apartments and eventually a grocery store.