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When will this end!

By
Real Estate Agent with Westman Realty, Inc.

"When will this end?

That's the question we hear daily.  Not just about home prices, but the stock market and business in general.  Watching our savings evaporate is depressing.

But, those of us who live downtown need only look at what is happening on Michigan Hill to realize in the broad sense our local economy is going to take a turn for the better with the expansion of VanAndal Institute, the new DeVos Children's hospital and the new MSU medical school.

A little closer to home - like three blocks - our neighborhood businesses are doing more than well. Art of the Table and the Wealthy Street Bakery (at the corner of Wealthy and Union) continue to thrive. How do I know? My brother in law told me so.  (smile)  Gene and Mary were visiting from Connecticut last week.  Gene is a coffee house guy!!  He is up and out at 7 am looking for good coffee and the New York Times. For what it is worth, he says the scones at Wealthy Street Bakery are the best.  (A 4 day taste test).

The Winchester on Wealthy is the newest addition to the neighborhood and it offers wonderful food.  The Cuban Reuben is outstanding!  The staff is friendly and they sound and act excited about their new restaurant.

Up on Cherry, similar great things are happening.  The Green Well looks busy all the time and of course the Cheri Inn still packs folks in for the best breakfast in the neighborhood.

When will this end?  I suspect when we start to believe again that tomorrow will be better than today.  And, from all the activity downtown and in the surrounding Historic Districts it will be!

 

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Terry & Bonnie Westbrook
Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI
Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re

Right on we need to stop listening to the media and look around us at the local restaurants and Malls they seem to be doing OK. Your right until the public believes tomorrow will be a better day we will have to deal with the current market.

Mar 10, 2009 09:44 AM
John Westman
Westman Realty, Inc. - Grand Rapids, MI

Thanks, Terry.   It's time to hit one of these places for lunch.   j

Mar 10, 2009 09:56 AM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

John, I'm looking forward to heading out to the Winchester with some friends.  I've heard a lot of good things about it.  Wealthy Street Bakery is one of my favorites.  I love Marie Catrib and the Green Well.  Breakfast at Cheri Inn remains fabulous.  Like you said...for businesses which continue to offer great service at a good price, there is no shortage of customers.  I know...I've waited in line in many of the establishments you highlight here.  Great to see you blogging...

Mar 10, 2009 09:59 AM
Michelle Gordon
JH Realty Partners - Ada, MI
Finding Your Place

John, people are out and spending money.  I have gone out to eat and had to wait in line for a table. Nomally I would complain, but not now.........it is nice .............no it is GREAT to see the activity!  I thnk people are tired of waiting, tired of complaining and tired of this economy. 

I had an open house last week, it was the best one in a long time..........not only many buyers came out, but it was fun again!  People were talking, happy and ready to buy a new home.

I feel it is getting better and better!

Apr 11, 2009 01:08 AM
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

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    Surf some blogs, leave some comments.  Better yet, post a Blog.

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Aug 12, 2016 11:01 AM