By Dana Kroll, Uptown Marketing and Communications Specialist
Recently, Uptown GR, Inc. hosted a special celebratory gathering, and it was one for the books. The purpose of the event was to offer reflection on the work of our organization over the past year, but also, to take the opportunity to fete the businesses, community members, and volunteers who in 2024 made an extra impactful contribution to Uptown GR’s objectives: To build a district that Thrives, Invites, Moves, and Organizes.
The evening, hosted at Mammoth Distilling was one of merriment and fun, and to our delight was also packed at the seams, with so many of the friends and neighbors who pitch in all year long to help make our district shine.
The event was also our opportunity to announce the winners of this year’s Uptown Impact Awards. These recognitions were awarded by tally of public vote and the honors were bestowed on 12 businesses that our voters recognized as most impactful in these four categories:
2024 Best Community Support Award: To recognize those businesses that went above and beyond to uplift the community
2024 Best New Business Award: To recognize those businesses who opened in Uptown in 2024
2024 Best Legacy Business Award: To recognize those businesses who have been long-standing anchors of the community
2024 Best Glow-Up Award: To recognize those businesses and/or property owners who have made significant visual improvements to their storefront or outdoor space.
Without further ado, here are the winners and runner’s up for this year’s Impact Awards:
The winner of the 2024 Best Community Support Award is……….
That Early Bird:
The Early Bird is one of our city’s most popular breakfast and brunch eateries, and for obvious reasons; one bite of their cheddar grits or equally amazing vegan breakfast burrito (to name just a few from their always-rotating menu) and you’ll want to visit again and again! But this business is more than “just” a restaurant and coffee shop. This is a place for gathering together with friends, families, over coffee meetings, community get-togethers, comfortable porch hangs, and lots more. Whether it’s through their ongoing support of neighborhood events, collaborations with local organizations or their commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive space, That Early Bird shows up for both its direct community, Eastown, as well as for the larger district of Uptown, time and again. Their team leads with generosity and care, making a lasting difference in the lives of neighbors, families and other small businesses. Their impact extends far beyond their doors, and we’re lucky to have them! Find them at 1445 Lake Dr. SE.
1st runner up: Lotus Brew Coffee | 211 Diamond Ave. SE
2nd runner up: Good Judy’s Market+Juice Bar | 1146 Wealthy St SE
The winner of the 2024 Best New Business Award is……….
Feral:
This special newcomer to Uptown is located in a charming two-story bungalow-turned-shop and is situated along the brick-lined streets of our Wealthy Street district. Offering both new and used outdoor gear for outdoor enthusiasts of all abilities and levels, the team at Feral aim to make getting outside fun and accessible for everyone, no matter the budget or level of expertise. Feral is owned by husband and wife duo Jimmy and Rachel, and their GR location is actually their second; they opened (and still operate) their first Feral, in Denver. They put great consideration into choosing the home of store # 2 and we feel like they nailed it by choosing Uptown to be their home. While Feral opened just months ago (in the spring of 2024), their business model as well as their enthusiastic support of our entire community, makes it kind of feel like they’ve been a comfy and beloved part of our district for ages. Find them at 1031 Wealthy St. SE.
1st Runner Up: The Grey Rabbit | 700 Wealthy St. SE
2nd Runner Up: Lotus Brew Coffee | 211 Diamond Ave. SE
The winner of the 2024 Best Legacy Business Award is……..
Art of the Table:
This delightful gem recently celebrated a milestone birthday with our district and the turnout for the party was – much like the shop – fantastic. And why wouldn’t it be? Art of the Table has been a staple of our business community since 2003. Over its more than 20 years in operation, the shop has become a “we-must-stop-there” favorite to countless newcomers as well as to the shop’s regular patrons, who know just where to go when preparing for a fabulous meal or when preparing to entertain a crowd. AOTT is a specialty grocer that offers a vast array of gourmet ingredients and goodies, a deep pantry and cooler of top-tier libations, tabletop accessories, serve- and bar-ware, culinary tools and gadgets, unique textiles, and lots and lots more. Owner Amy has been a vital component to the growth and development of the district over the past two decades, through her advocacy, volunteerism, and community involvement. We’re so proud to have her store in our district and find it fitting that it is the very first one you’ll see when entering our Wealthy Street district’s westernmost corridor. Find Art of the Table at 606 Wealthy St. SE.
1st runner up: Global Infusion | 143 Diamond Ave. SE
2nd runner up: Gallery 154 | 1456 Lake Dr. SE
The Winners of the 2024 Best Glow-Up Award are……….
710 Wealthy St. SE (Terra Firma), home to Mammoth Distilling Cocktail Lounge:
This project is certainly deserving of recognition. There may be nothing quite so satisfying as watching a diamond in the rough become polished and bright, sometimes for the second or third time over a long many years…especially one in hands as capable as these. Our winner for this year’s award goes to both Terra Firma, for their jaw-droppingly phenomenal rehabilitation of the once-blighted space located at 710 Wealthy SE – and to Mammoth Distillery, whose brand now calls this address their home in West Michigan.
When asked to add some color to how this project came to be, Terra Firma co-owner Eric Wynsma had this fun story to tell:
“We’d already done a handful of small historic renovations in the neighborhood, and this one seemed pretty pivotal at the time, to helping finish up the 700-block of Wealthy. (The space at 710 Wealthy St SE) was actively used as an auto parts storage operation, and was filled to the rafters – including the basement – with very specialized car parts from the 1930-s to 1960’s cars!
We did not have a game plan. We are renovators, so we got busy cleaning it up with a practical, versatile mindset as initial interest was from an established restaurant operator.
As things evolved, Mammoth had entered the market looking for a small retail location where an outdoor component could work and — the rest became obvious.
Mammoth has enjoyed huge success elsewhere in Northern Michigan, and is known for high quality and explicit controls over their production; to the extent they grow their own ingredients on private farms and controlled environments like the Manitou islands.
Their focus on local quality and the local experience, is what makes them a perfect fit in the Wealthy St. Business district— they bring a lot of cool factor to the neighborhood and we’re so grateful for them!”
We loved the backstory Eric provided, and we couldn’t have said the bit about Mammoth better ourselves. Make a plan to take in this beautiful space in our Wealthy Street district and enjoy a delicious and locally created libation, soon.
1st runner up: 800 Wealthy St SE (Willink Construction), home of Chartreuse Sisters and Basic Bee Boutique
2nd runner up: 680 Wealthy St SE (Lott3Metz Crutcher Architecture), home of Modish Moth and Lady Monarch
from this….
To this – TALK ABOUT A GLOW UP!
Uptown GR also recognized two individuals to receive the award for Volunteer of the Year, for going above and beyond to offer their talents and their time to our district and our organization. We were proud to recognize:
Lindsay Bruce, for their tireless and endless efforts to share their talents and time with our committees, staff, and most importantly, community
and
Andy Stob, for his steadfast commitment to helping us to keep our public thoroughfares clean, safe, and accessible for all.
