By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org
When you walk into Marge’s Donut Den, 1751 28th St. SW, gone is the chatter of people with their coffee and donuts. Gone is the rush of church groups stopping in before or after service to pick up a dozen. Gone are the families out for a treat.
It is quiet, except for the phone ringing.
“It’s very much quieter,” said owner Marge Wilson. “We have a big rug out to show people where to stand and right in the middle we have a table to remind people to go on either side. Or people can sit out in their car and we’ll bring them the donuts. For that reason, the phone rings a lot more.”
To encouraging social distancing, on March 16, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer banned events and gatherings of more that 50 people causing most of the West Michigan restaurants to eliminate dining in. Those who could or wanted, move to takeout, curbside or delivery options. Marge’s Donuts Den, which offered both takeout and dine-in, closed its doors to its dining area with only access to the donut counter available.
On March 23, Whitmer issued an executive stay-at home order, but encourage residents to support local restaurants by ordering takeout and/or have food delivered from area restaurants. Since then, numerous organizations, such as Eatgr, have worked to promote restaurants that are currently offering those options. Recently, the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce distributed a list of chamber restaurants that are open. (See the list below.)
The elimination for dine-in has meant a reduction of customers with Wilson stating she has reduced her hours. Now the popular donut shop closes at 4 p.m. instead of 6 p.m. But she is grateful to be able to provide jobs for her staff who need or want to work.
“It has reduced the staff because there are some who are too afraid to come and others have to stay home to stay with their kids,” she said. “But for those who want to work or need to work, they can.”
For many of the local business owners, helping their employees was a big decision in staying open.
“I could have just closed,” said Jessica Ann Tyson, owner of The Candied Yam, 2305 44th St. SE. Both Wilson and restaurant owner and State House Rep. Tommy Brann echoed the same in their comments. “But there are factors you have to consider. There are employees who if you can keep working means that it is at least one less person drawing on the system. The local vendors who we purchase quite a lot from, and the customers who don’t cook or don’t know how to cook.”
There is also the cost of shutting down and then reopening a kitchen which can cost $3,000 or more where as Tyson estimates it is costing her about $700 a week to stay open.
Tommy Brann, owner of Brann’s Steakhouse and Grille at 4157 Division, admits he often thinks about his employees. It is why he decided to stay open, offering takeout even though it only makes up about five percent of his business.
“I’m looking at chairs up and and an empty bar,” Brann said. “Much of our business is dine in. This is a place that people come with families to celebrate birthdays, weddings, showers, and sadly, funerals.
“This is a place where you are around people but sadly, right now we can’t do that and we understand why.”
For many of the restaurant owners we talked to, they understand the reasoning for the restrictions on gatherings. As a state representative for the Wyoming and Byron Center areas, Brann said he also has heard from a number of local business owners as well and there are some he fears may simply not reopen.
“You’ve got to be creative,” Tyson said. “We still feel obligated to offer specials so that seniors who are on a fixed income can still come as well as entice people to order.”
Tyson said her cost has gone up but she made an effort to keep her prices the same because she recognizes there are people who do rely on the restaurant for a good meal.
And she figures, if she is open she might as well share with those who are considered essential workers, doing a daily delivery to various individuals and organizations such as the Kent County Health Department’s Emergency Operations Center and a local milk operation.
“I am staying optimistic and getting my energy from other people and places,” Tyson said.
Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce member restaurants that are currently offering takeout and/or delivery:
Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant
4515 28th St. SE
Kentwood, MI 49512
(616) 730-8466
Noto’s Old World Italian Dining
6600 28th St SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616) 493-6686
Dave & Buster’s
3660 28th Street SE
Kentwood, MI 49512
(616) 224-8800
The Candied Yam
2305 44th Street S.E.
Kentwood, MI 49508
(616) 551-3509
Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar
2720 44th St SW
Wyoming, MI 49519
(616) 261-9464
Osta’s Lebanese Cuisine
2228 Wealthy St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
(616) 456-8999
Monelli’s Italian Grill & Sports Bar
5675 Byron Center Ave. SW
Wyoming, MI 49519
(616) 530-9700
Brann’s Steakhouse and Grille
4157 S Division Ave
Wyoming, MI 49548
(616) 534-5421
Hilton Garden Inn
2321 East Beltline Ave. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616) 608-8800
Apple Spice
701 68th St. SW #410
Byron Center, MI 49315
(616) 805-3288
Applebee’s – Wyoming
1375 28th Street
Wyoming, MI 49509
(616) 261-2588
Buddy’s Pizza
4061 28th St. SE
Kentwood, MI 49512
(616) 554-9663
Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar
2035 28th St SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49508
(616) 241-2999
YoChef’s Catering Co.
34 44th St. SE
Kentwood, MI 49548
(616) 608-3003
McDonalds
1221 28th St. SW
Wyoming, MI
(616) 531-6190
Marge’s Donut Den
1751 28th St. SW
Wyoming, MI
(616) 532-7413
Cindy’s Donuts & Ice Cream
4020 28th St. SE
Kentwood, MI
(616) 259-8295
Beltline Bar
16 28th St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI
(616) 245-0494
Bagel Beanery
455 Michigan NE
Grand Rapids, MI
(616) 235-7500
