GRAND RAPIDS—
West Leonard is one of the most historic streets in West Michigan and the heart of Grand Rapids' West Side.It's been getting a big makeover in recent months.
Businesses like Brann's Steakhouse and Grill, which has been around for 36 years, Ralph's Market for 62, and DeVries Jewelers for 109 years, are all reinvesting.
A couple months ago Brann's finished a $350,000 remodel.
"We basically took the entire outside and inside renovated it," said Johnny Brann Jr. "Took a new theme, a new concept."
They call it a sports bar in disguise.
Right next door, DeVries has plans that the city hasn't even seen yet. They want to double in size by moving into the old Lannings building nearby.
"We have plans to build a new store and it's really in conjunction with everything else that's going on, on this street," said Dan DeVries.
DeVries says there's a handful of businesses that want to have a bigger presence there and they're all working together on a "vision" for the area.
That includes Ralph's Market, one of the last few inner city independent grocers.
"Just be an asset to the community," said owner Bob Ennell. "And it's reverse, they're good to me too."
Enell is in the process of seeking as much as $170,000 in local and state tax credits.
He wants to demolish an adjacent building and build the new store while the old one stays open.
City Commissioners will look at the tax credits later this month, then vote in February.
Business owners are concerned with what happens at Arnies. The landmark restaurant was destroyed by a fire back in May.
Leaders from the company won't return our calls. But others are keyed into whether the company rebuilds at the site or moves.
