GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.— Grand Rapids is getting another tribute to the men behind Meijer Stores.

On May 8, the Michigan Historical Commission approved a marker to honor Hendrik and Fred Meijer, who in 1962 became the first grocers to combine two popular retail models—discount department stores and supermarkets—into a single store on 28th Street, called “Thrifty Acres.”  The Meijers then took their model to Holland and Muskegon. 

Meijer now has nearly 200 stores across the Midwest, including Kalamazoo, Walker, Wyoming, Jenison, Rockford, Plainfield Township, Forest Hills, Lowell, Grandville, Kentwood, Grand Haven and Greenville, where Hendrik Meijer opened his very first store in the 1930s.

The new historical marker will be added to more than 1,700 green and gold signs found across the state, that chronicle the people, places and events that make Michigan’s heritage unique and unforgettable.  The historical markers are nominated by spons

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.-- Doughnuts are available all over, including Meijer, Family Fare,  Marge’s Donut Den and Sandy’s Donuts, which are in the suburbs of Grand Rapids. 

The city of Grand Rapids, however, doesn't have a gourmet donut shop. Propaganda Donuts is hoping to change that, but they need your help.

Propaganda Doughnuts wants to be locally focused, community oriented gourmet donut shop, open in the morning for breakfast and brunch visits, and until after the bars close.  Right now they are a pop up store;  they will open for a day,  make doughnuts until they sell out, and then leave.  However, the owner of Propaganda Doughnuts wants to open a permanent location, which is why the business has submitted a proposal at Start Garden. 

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs is giving more than $12,000 in grants to organizations and projects in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo.

The New Leaders Arts Council of Michigan, an advisory council for the MCACA, approved $57,380 in grants to support young leaders.  In Grand Rapids, ArtPrize will get $2,380.