The Vintage and Handmade Marketplace returns to the Downtown Market!

​Sunday, April 27 — 10am-5pm
Sunday, June 29 — 10am-5pm
Sunday, September 28 — 10am-5pm

Shop 60+ of the best regional vintage and handmade vendors displaying their treasures under the Market Shed and throughout the parking lot. Enjoy a curated selection of clothing, accessories, decor, and more. Shop, stroll, listen to a live DJ, then head inside for a bite to eat from our Market Hall merchants. This FREE event is presented by Vintage in the Zoo.

Click here to learn more.

Join us for a free open house event at the Downtown Market Incubator Kitchen.

Do you have a food business idea, an interest in exploring commercial cooking, or the perfect recipe passed down for generations? You’re invited to the Incubator Kitchen Open House! Learn about our free programs, check out the facility, meet the businesses that operate out of the kitchen, and of course, try some delicious food!

About the Incubator Kitchen:

During the past 12 years, the Downtown Market Incubator Kitchen has guided hundreds of food entrepreneurs, helping them bring delicious ideas to life and break out of the home kitchen. From grocery items to restaurant concepts, food trucks to farmers market products, Incubator businesses have utilized our affordable rates, impressive equipment, and free expert guidance to turn their recipe into reality.

Spend the day with Mom (or any nurturing member of your family) finding the perfect gift at the Mother’s Day Gift Fair!

Join us as we host a gift fair under the Market Shed and throughout the Downtown Market parking lot from 10am to 7pm on Sunday, May 11. Shop for unique, hand-made gifts and artisan items including jewelry, candles, decor, kitchen items, books, knick knacks, knitted textiles, and more from 40+ vendors! Enjoy outdoor yard games or sip while you shop! Our outdoor Mother’s Day MOM-osa bar will be serving mimosas, cocktails, and n/a options from 10am-6pm. Don’t forget to head inside and pick up a special treat or meal from the Market Hall merchants.

Apply to become a vendor here.

Mother’s Day Gift Fair vendors:

There's so much to consider when starting a food business: marketing, branding, social media, labels, funding... becoming proficient in these areas can take just as much time as developing your recipe! We are proud to host an upcoming event that will cover these important topics, and more.

Join us on Saturday, May 3 from 9am to 3pm in the Downtown Market Banquet Room for the largest Culinary Conversations event of the year!

This full day of learning will put you in a room with experts from various fields, who will share their knowledge "speed dating" style: each speaker will run a small group discussion at a table for 15-20 minutes, then participants will rotate to the next speaker/subject. Make sure to stick around afterwards for a Food Industry Networking happy hour!

Guest speakers for the day include:

• Ryan Bolhuis, Downtown Market Incubator Kitchen - "Going from Home to Pro"

• Laurie Supinski, Start Garden - "Perfect Your Pitch!"

• Paola Mendivil, Grow - "Business Loans"

• Kendra Wills, MSU - "Specialty Food Safety and CPG"

• Hannah Greening, Fancy Real Estate - "Getting to Brick n Mortar"

• Ed Garner, SBDC - "Business 101"

• Jason Schemel, Get Social Done - "Social Media Marketing"

• Amber Underhill, WNJ - "Trademarking your Brand"

• Alexis Hill, Opportunity Resource Fund - "Funding 101"

• JD Hage, Green Frog Photography - "DIY Photography"

By registering for Culinary Conversations events, you permit the use of your image (including, but not limited to photographs, audio recordings, or videos), without charge and without reservation—all or a portion of your story, likeness, and voice in future Downtown Market promotion.
***
The Culinary Conversations MeetUp group is a partnership between the Grand Rapids Downtown Market Education Foundation, GROW, MSU Extension, and Start Garden.

Join us from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm on Thursday, May 1st at the Downtown Market for the next roundtable series hosted by the Incubator Kitchen!

Thinking of being your own boss in the food world but not quite sure what to expect? Buy some dinner from any of the 20+ Market Hall vendors, then join us for our free-to-attend, Sound Bites Incubator Kitchen Roundtable where we will discuss all things branding.

You’ll hear from Downtown Market Culinary Operations Manager, Ryan Bolhuis, and Her Daily Bread owner, Megan Hamilton, for an inclusive, in-depth conversation about identifying, creating, and building your brand.

Bring questions, participate in the entrepreneurial discussion, or simply listen! All events will begin and end with entrepreneurial networking so don't miss out on making some great connections!

Guest Speaker:
Megan Hamilton, Her Daily Bread
Sean and Meg Hamilton are both Grand Rapids based artists who believe in the power of art-making (including cookie decorating) as therapy. Her Daily Bread is a micro-bakery and anart studio, and strives to be a small business that highlights other local artists and entrepreneurs in their community. Every cookie bought supports a vision- that art should serve, delight, and heal, and above all be accessible to everyone.

Upon arrival to the Downtown Market, please check in at the Main Office located on the 2nd floor.

The Vintage and Handmade Marketplace returns to the Downtown Market!

​Sunday, April 27 — 10am-5pm
Sunday, June 29 — 10am-5pm
Sunday, September 28 — 10am-5pm

Shop 60+ of the best regional vintage and handmade vendors displaying their treasures under the Market Shed and throughout the parking lot. Enjoy a curated selection of clothing, accessories, decor, and more. Shop, stroll, listen to a live DJ, then head inside for a bite to eat from our Market Hall merchants. This FREE event is presented by Vintage in the Zoo.

Click here to learn more.

Join us every Friday in April for flights, bites, and Market delights!

FLIGHT FRIDAY DATES: 4/4, 4/11, 4/18, 4/25

Fridays only, taste your way through the Market Hall one flight at a time! What a delicious way to find a new favorite from the Market.

Join us from 10am-4pm on Saturday, April 19 for an All About Earth Day celebration at the Downtown Market.

Earth Day may be April 22, but on April 19, we are hosting fun activities that celebrate our favorite planet (Earth)! Enjoy FREE physical activities, recycled art and fashion, nature (yes even bugs!), children’s activities, and crafts happening throughout the Market.

You can’t spell EARTH without EAT! Make sure you grab a bite from the Market Hall before you head home.

ALL ABOUT EARTH DAY SCHEDULE:

Nature in the second floor Greenhouse

10am-1pm | Birds, Bees, and Bugs!
Blandford Nature Center will be showcasing a variety of birds which help with insect control and seed distribution as well as bat taxidermy (bats are also excellent at insect control)! Casa La Parrot will be showcasing a variety of parrots which help with insect control and seed distribution.
Kope Apiaries will have live bees on hand as well as education about these important pollinators.
West Michigan Wildlife Center will have earth-friendly critters.
Michigan Science Center will be doing earth-friendly activities with guests. (10am-4pm)

1pm-4pm | Isopods and Pollinators
VI Pets will have many species of Isopods for guests to check out! Isopods consume decaying plant and animal matter, depositing their pellets back into the soil to enrich it for plants. They also improve drainage and are a food source for other organisms.

Thornapple Woodlands will have worker bees on display so guests can view these great pollinators up close! Please note that if the day proves too cold, the bees will have to stay home warm in their hive!

Recycled Fun in the second floor Banquet Room

10am-4pm | Recycled Art Exhibit
I Heart Recycled Art is a juried art exhibition featuring two-dimensional and three-dimensional art pieces created by Michigan artists and curated by Cocoon Art Space. The art pieces in this exhibit are created out of found objects, botanical remnants and repurposed materials. This style of art requires an artist to first look at things differently. “How can I reuse this material?” Once their vision is realized, they make time to collect or save the materials for their project. Next they must prepare the materials by cutting, sanding, restoring, treating or painting the substance. Finally they implement the non-traditional art materials into their process of making an original piece of art. It is a very mindful form of art that requires acute creativity, concise planning, patience and skill.

10am-4pm | Curated Sustainable Fashion Contest
Guests can check out and vote for their favorite outfits curated by local vintage/thrift stores including Decaydence Vintage, OTONO, Second Vibess and The August Connection. The winning outfit’s shop will receive a $25 Downtown Market gift certificate as will one guest who voted for the shop.

Free Physical Activities in the outdoor Market Shed (No pre-registration required)

11:15am-12pm | POUND with Janna Silva
Using Ripstix (available for use during class), lightly weighted drumsticks engineered specifically for exercising, POUND transforms drumming into an incredibly effective way of working out. Instead of listening to music, you become the music in this exhilarating full-body workout that combines cardio, conditioning and strength training with yoga and Pilates-inspired movements. Designed for all fitness levels, POUND provides the perfect atmosphere for letting loose, getting energized, toning up and rockin’ out! The workout is easily modifiable, and the alternative vibe and welcoming philosophy appeals to men and women of all ages and abilities. Ripstix provided. Bring your yoga mat (mat provided if needed). Participants must be 18 years of age or older.

12:15 pm-1 pm | YOGA w/Sara Robb
Discover your inner yogi in a class that builds strength and body awareness. Begin with gentle stretching and move to flowing through and holding poses. Class will come to a restful end.  Bring yoga mat (mat provided if needed). Participants must be 18 years of age or older.

Children’s Activities in the second floor Greenhouse

While supplies last | Plants, Pots, and Puzzles
Seed germination with pinto beans.

Collage a miniature pot.

Tracing hands to hold the Earth.

Greenhouse scavenger hunt.

Earth-friendly crossword puzzles and word searches, emoji pictionary and coloring pages.

Join us every Friday in April for flights, bites, and Market delights!

FLIGHT FRIDAY DATES: 4/4, 4/11, 4/18, 4/25

Fridays only, taste your way through the Market Hall one flight at a time! What a delicious way to find a new favorite from the Market.

From pitch competitions to retailers, success is all about the art of the sale.

Join us on Wednesday, April 16 at 5:00 pm in the Downtown Market Banquet Room for Culinary Conversations: Sales Success Simplified!

At this free-to-attend event, entrepreneurs and coaches will come together to share with you the tools needed to elevate your sales strategies, enhance your customer engagement skills, and deliver winning pitches.

Whether you're a food truck owner, packaged food producer, caterer or aspiring entrepreneur, this event offers something for everyone. Network with other food and beverage entrepreneurs, meet industry experts, gain valuable insights, and leave with the confidence to transform your food marketing approach.

Guest Speakers:
Marissa Fellows, Great Lakes Tinned Fish
Marissa is the founder of Great Lakes Tinned Fish, the first, Midwest-based tinned fish company sourcing exclusively from the Great Lakes region. Her mission to bring people together – through shared space and common ground – is a guiding force behind the startup and all other community initiatives she is part of. The business was built on three principles:

1. Celebrating Great Lakes flavor and culinary innovation.

2. Supporting sustainable fishing practices and the region’s commercial fishing industry.

3. Embody the midwest spirit of hospitality.

Under her leadership, Great Lakes Tinned Fish has won the Sunset Foods Top Innovator Award, Start Garden Demo Day grant and an Elite 8 placement at Midwest House Pitch Competition (an unofficial SXSW event); the product is now available in 60+ retailers across 14 states and DTC online.

Aiye Akhigbe, Sticky Spoons Jam
Prior to founding Sticky Spoons, Aiye was a Third-Class Petty Officer in the United States Navy, where she earned her Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist Pin after six months aboard a warship.
Aiye is known for her ability to pair various Michigan fruits to create unique flavors like Lunar Eclipse, Strawberry Chocolate Mint, Blueberry Lavender and over 100 others. In 2023, Aiye made a significant transition from operating as a Cottage Food producer to establishing a Licensed Kitchen. This pivotal move allows her delightful products to grace the shelves of 24 stores spanning from Michigan to Colorado. Her jams are also readily available for purchase online, for fruit enthusiasts and foodies alike to enjoy. Since 2021, Aiye has participated in over fifteen pitch
competitions, winning eight. Aiye always says, if there’s an opportunity to get funding for her business, she will find it and apply.

Ryan Bolhuis, Grand Rapids Downtown Market
Ryan Bolhuis is an award winning chef and an alumnus of the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan, NY. Ryan has worked in some of the most distinguished restaurants in the culinary world from New York to Paris. Ryan, a Hudsonville native and Korean adoptee, now utilizes his 17+ year culinary experience to mentor food and beverage entrepreneurs as the head of the Incubator Kitchen at the Downtown Market Grand Rapids.
Ryan has been a judge at various local and statewide pitch competitions as well as a pitch coach for many West Michigan food and beverage entrepreneurs.

By registering for Culinary Conversations events, you permit the use of your image (including, but not limited to photographs, audio recordings, or videos), without charge and without reservation—all or a portion of your story, likeness, and voice in future Downtown Market promotion.
________________________________________________________________________________
The Culinary Conversations MeetUp group is a partnership between the Grand Rapids Downtown Market Education Foundation, GROW, MSU Extension, and Start Garden.

Join us every Friday in April for flights, bites, and Market delights!

FLIGHT FRIDAY DATES: 4/4, 4/11, 4/18, 4/25

Fridays only, taste your way through the Market Hall one flight at a time! What a delicious way to find a new favorite from the Market.

Join us every Friday in April for flights, bites, and Market delights!

FLIGHT FRIDAY DATES: 4/4, 4/11, 4/18, 4/25

Fridays only, taste your way through the Market Hall one flight at a time! What a delicious way to find a new favorite from the Market.

Celebrate boho fashion, art, decor, and more from 10am-6pm on Sunday, March 30 at the Boho Bazaar!

This 50-VENDOR indoor pop-up market will host artisans in the second floor Greenhouse and Banquet Room as they display bright and colorful handmade macrame, beaded artwork, resin creations, clothing, stained glass, and other bohemian/alternative inspired items. Enjoy the boho shopping experience, then head downstairs for a bite from our Market Hall Merchants. This event is FREE to attend. VIEW FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE.

50 BOHO VENDORS:

Join us from 5pm to 6:30pm on Thursday, March 13 at the Downtown Market for a new roundtable series hosted by the Incubator Kitchen!

Thinking of being your own boss in the food world but not quite sure what to expect? Grab some dinner from the Market Hall, then join us for our free-to-attend, Sound Bites Incubator Kitchen Roundtable where we will discuss going from recipe to reality.

You’ll hear from Downtown Market Culinary Operations Manager, Ryan Bolhuis, and Let’s Stay Home Cocktail Kits owner, Eric MacAulay, for an inclusive, in-depth conversation on the realities of being a food business owner and how to prepare.

Bring questions, participate in the entrepreneurial discussion, or simply listen!

This is a free event, but there are a limited number of seats available so please RSVP with the link below.

Attendees: Please check in at the Administration Office located on the second floor the day of the event.

Marketing can seem daunting to someone with no experience. Throw social media into the mix and it can often be the most intimidating and “chore like" aspect to being a food and beverage entrepreneur.

How do I feature my product if I can't afford photography? When is the best time to post content? How do I make sure my content is 'on brand'?
If these questions sound familiar, join us on Wednesday, March 12 at 5:00 pm in the Downtown Market Banquet Room for Culinary Conversations: Picture Perfect Marketing!

At this free-to-attend event, photography and marketing experts will come together to share the art of visual storytelling in the culinary world. Our expert speakers will empower you with the skills and knowledge needed to elevate your food brand's presence using only your smartphone!
Beyond photography and social media, delve into the world of utilizing AI to develop your unique brand identity and marketing strategy. Learn how to craft and post engaging content that resonates with your audience, enhancing your brand.

Whether you're a food truck owner, packaged food producer, caterer or aspiring entrepreneur, this event offers something for everyone. Network with other food and beverage entrepreneurs, meet industry experts, gain valuable insights, and leave with the confidence to transform your food marketing approach.

Guest Speakers:
Isabel Lopez-Slattery, Isabel Media Studios
Isabel Lopez Slattery is an accomplished photographer and the Founder and Creative Director of Isabel Media Studios. With degrees in Media Communications and Spanish Literature from Western Michigan University, she combines her love for art, education, and the visual beauty learned through dance. Isabel became a U.S. citizen in 2019, marking a significant milestone in her life and career.
Isabel has achieved notable success in her photographic journey. She was the first woman to photograph political campaigns for a current state representative and for the first Latina city commissioner in Grand Rapids. She also led a cover shoot for a prominent women's magazine in Michigan. Isabel’s portfolio includes collaborations with businesses and organizations throughout West Michigan, making her a role model in the Hispanic community and beyond.

Jeff Hage, Green Frog Photos
Jeff Hage grew up in a diverse, ethnic home surrounded by food. Some of his first jobs were working in kitchens. It’s no surprise that photographing food is one of his passions. Hage cut his teeth in the creative industry shooting catalog work and taking any job he could get to learn all of the types of photography. Shooting for top creative talent and leadership in advertising and marketing, as well as working closely with restaurants, retailers, and food producers has given him unique insight into people’s behaviors, buying habits and desires. With over 40 years of experience as a photographer, consultant, and speaker, Hage helps companies – global and local – stop the eye, set the mood, and start the sale.

Jarran Fountain, Jarran, LLC
(Pronounced like "Aaron" with a "J")

Jarran Fountain is a designer, problem solver, and creative worker with over five years of experience in branding, marketing, community engagement, and public placemaking. His approach centers on intentional design, combining creativity and strategy to deliver solutions that inspire and connect.
With a strong foundation in thoughtful design practices, Jarran works with businesses and communities to create meaningful impact through branding, content creation, and marketing strategy. Guided by adaptability, balance, curiosity, and intention, he helps turn ideas into actionable, lasting results. Connect to create. Create to connect.

Jason Schemmel, Get Social Done
Jason Schemmel is a digital marketing strategist and AI enthusiast who’s spent 14+ years helping businesses cut through the noise and get real results. As the founder of Get Social Done, he’s all about making high-level marketing strategies simple, effective, and actually useful - from startups to long established businesses. He’s trained global sales teams and spoken at top industry events, but at the end of the day, he just loves helping businesses win. If you’re looking for straight talk, smart strategies, and a little fun along the way, Jason’s your guy.

Snacks and beverages will be provided.

By registering for Culinary Conversations events, you permit the use of your image (including, but not limited to photographs, audio recordings, or videos), without charge and without reservation—all or a portion of your story, likeness, and voice in future Downtown Market promotion.
________________________________________________________________________________
The Culinary Conversations MeetUp group is a partnership between the Grand Rapids Downtown Market Education Foundation, GROW, MSU Extension, and Start Garden.

Join us on Sunday, March 9, from 10am to 1pm in the Greenhouse and Banquet Room for a reptilian riff on our popular Nature Day event: Slithering Sunday!

Come have some fun with turtles, snakes, gators, and other non-furry (but still fabulous) friends! Bring the family and get up close and personal with live critters, meet the people who wrangle them, and learn about their habitats, food sources, and other fun facts. Make sure you ssssssstop by the Market Hall to grab a bite before you head home! This is a FREE event. All ages are welcome.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:

Calling all art enthusiasts, photography fans, and print people!

Join us from 10am to 6pm on February 23 in the second floor Greenhouse and Banquet Room for a photography, canvas, and art print pop-up. Celebrate art prints, framed photography, stationery, magnets, bookmarks, stickers, and more at our first ever indoor art market. Enjoy the feast for the eyes, then get a bite to eat from the Market Hall. This event is FREE to attend.

Apply to become a vendor here.

Vendor List:

Spicy Saturday is back and more blazin’ than ever! Instead of one-day-only fiery features, you can enjoy these sizzlin’ specials EVERY SATURDAY IN FEBRUARY!

Join us from 10am-2pm on Saturday, February 22 at the Market as we highlight the event capabilities of the hottest wedding venue in town!

Tour our beautiful event spaces, get a taste of our preferred caterers, meet wedding photographers, florists, planners, food vendors, and more. Learn about entertainment options, get inspired by floral, linen, and tablescape designs on display. And best of all, have some fun with our events team!

This year, we are offering an opportunity to win a Greenhouse photoshoot session (rental space only). See registration table for details. Attendees must RSVP to be admitted into event or enter giveaway.

Take advantage of day-of booking complimentary add-ons with savings up to $400!

Spicy Saturday is back and more blazin’ than ever! Instead of one-day-only fiery features, you can enjoy these sizzlin’ specials EVERY SATURDAY IN FEBRUARY!

You've heard from the inspectors, now it's time to get to work!

Join us on February 11 at 5:00 pm in the Downtown Market Banquet Room as food licensing experts from the Downtown Market Incubator Kitchen and MSU-Product Center go in depth on everything from LLC's to SOP's!

Part 2 Guest Presenters:
Kendra Wills, MSU-Product Center
Kendra Wills has served with Michigan State University Extension in Kent County for over 20 years. As an educator, she has worked in a variety of areas including: farmland preservation, land use planning and zoning education, farm-to-school, youth gardening, food council development, community organizing and food business counseling/coaching. Kendra holds a Bachelor's of Science degree from Michigan State University in environmental studies and a Master of Sustainable Business degree from Aquinas College.

Ryan Bolhuis, Downtown Market Incubator Kitchen
Ryan is an award-winning chef, entrepreneur, and an alumnus of the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan, NY. Ryan has worked in some of the most distinguished restaurants in the culinary world from New York to Paris. Ryan, a Hudsonville native and Korean adoptee, now utilizes his 17+ year culinary experience to mentor food and beverage entrepreneurs as the head of the Incubator Kitchen at the Downtown Market Grand Rapids.

By registering for Culinary Conversations events, you permit the use of your image (including, but not limited to photographs, audio recordings, or videos), without charge and without reservation—all or a portion of your story, likeness, and voice in future Downtown Market promotion.

***

The Culinary Conversations MeetUp group is a partnership between the Grand Rapids Downtown Market Education Foundation, GROW, MSU Extension, and Start Garden.

Spicy Saturday is back and more blazin’ than ever! Instead of one-day-only fiery features, you can enjoy these sizzlin’ specials EVERY SATURDAY IN FEBRUARY!

Food licensing can be the most intimidating part of starting a food business. What jurisdiction do you fall under? What do you need to even apply? How much does it cost? How long does it take?

Culinary Conversations is hosting two part series to answer all these questions and more!

Join us for Culinary Conversations Food Licensing Series Part 1: Meet the Inspectors on Tuesday, February 4 at 5:00pm in the Downtown Market Banquet Room as Kent County Health Department inspectors and Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development representatives guide you through the various licensing types and help you define which food license is best for your business. This event is FREE to attend.

Then make sure to grab a pen and join us on Tuesday, February 11 at 5:00pm in the Downtown Market Banquet Room for Culinary Conversations Food Licensing Series Part 2: Step-by-step Guide (please rsvp for this event separately). Food Licensing experts from the Downtown Market Incubator Kitchen and MSU-Product Center will guide you step by step through every requirement needed to obtain your food license! CLICK HERE TO RSVP FOR PART 2

Part 1 Guest Presenters:
Caitlin Kammeraad, Kent County Health Department
Caitlin Kammeraad, MPH, REHS has worked in the food safety and public health field since 2018 and has experience in both the public and private sectors. She received her Master’s of Public Health degree from Grand Valley State University in 2017 and completed her Registered Environmental Health Specialist credential in 2021. Her main duties at Kent County Health Department include conducting Plan Review for new food service establishments and licensing new food service establishments.

Steven Osmond, Kent County Health Department
Steve Osmond, sanitarian at the Kent County Health Department, has been part of the Environmental Health team since 2018. His focus includes food safety regulatory inspection and compliance work. Specializing in partial plan reviews and change of ownership licensing.

Emily Fricko, MDARD
Emily Fricko is the retail food inspector for the Downtown Grand Rapids area, Walker, and mid Newaygo County. She has been with that state for just over a year and is currently the inspector for the Downtown Market. Outside of work Inspector Fricko enjoys staying active in agriculture and spoiling her cat Jellybean.

By registering for Culinary Conversations events, you permit the use of your image (including, but not limited to photographs, audio recordings, or videos), without charge and without reservation—all or a portion of your story, likeness, and voice in future Downtown Market promotion.

***

The Culinary Conversations MeetUp group is a partnership between the Grand Rapids Downtown Market Education Foundation, GROW, MSU Extension, and Start Garden.

Spicy Saturday is back and more blazin’ than ever! Instead of one-day-only fiery features, you can enjoy these sizzlin’ specials EVERY SATURDAY IN FEBRUARY!

Gather your family (yes, the whole pack!) and enjoy Nature Day in the Downtown Market Greenhouse and Banquet Room. Join us from 10am-1pm on Saturday, January 18 as we have some fun with furry (and scaly) friends provided by Blandford Nature Center, Humane Society of West Michigan, Michigan Science Center, N&N Exotic Reptile Rescue, Outdoor Discovery Center, Grand Rapids Public Library, John Ball Zoo, and more.

See the critters up close, learn about animal artifacts, and enjoy Greenhouse activities—then enjoy some lunch from the Market Hall!

This is a FREE event. All ages are welcome.

HAVE AN IDEA FOR A FOOD BUSINESS? NOT SURE HOW TO GET STARTED OR WHERE TO LOOK TO FOR HELP?

RSVP HERE FOR FREE

Grand Rapids is quickly becoming known for being an entrepreneurial support hub and we're here to help make your idea into a business! But what are Entrepreneurial Support Organizations (ESO's) and what organizations are there to help guide you on your business journey?

Join us in the Grand Rapids Downtown Market Greenhouse on Wednesday, January 8, 2024 for an entrepreneurial support networking happy hour!

You'll get the opportunity to meet some of the amazing Entrepreneurial Support Organizations that West Michigan has to offer!

Organizations such as Start Garden, GROW, MSU-Product Center, Downtown Market Incubator Kitchen, and many more. You'll also be able to network with some of West Michigan's up-and-coming food entrepreneurs, food industry veterans, lenders, business coaches, entrepreneurial mentors, and more!

Snacks and beverages will be provided.

By registering for Culinary Conversations events, you permit the use of your image (including, but not limited to photographs, audio recordings, or videos), without charge and without reservation—all or a portion of your story, likeness, and voice in future Downtown Market promotion.
________________________________________________________________________________
The Culinary Conversations MeetUp group is a partnership between the Grand Rapids Downtown Market Education Foundation, GROW, MSU Extension, and Start Garden.

Enjoy Christmas lights and holiday bites for 28 days and nights!

West Michigan’s largest traditional European Christmas village is back and it’s bigger, better, and brighter than ever.

WED - SUN | NOV 15 - DEC 23

Bring the whole family to the second annual Christkindl Markt at the Downtown Market and shop the 60+ artisan food and gift vendors, enjoy strolling holiday entertainment, partake in traditional beverages inside our German-style beverage hall, compete on the outdoor curling rinks, hang out in a private Alpenglobes, and more festive fun—all season long!

Enjoy Christmas lights and holiday bites for 28 days and nights!

West Michigan’s largest traditional European Christmas village is back and it’s bigger, better, and brighter than ever.

WED - SUN | NOV 15 - DEC 23

Bring the whole family to the second annual Christkindl Markt at the Downtown Market and shop the 60+ artisan food and gift vendors, enjoy strolling holiday entertainment, partake in traditional beverages inside our German-style beverage hall, compete on the outdoor curling rinks, hang out in a private Alpenglobes, and more festive fun—all season long!

Enjoy Christmas lights and holiday bites for 28 days and nights!

West Michigan’s largest traditional European Christmas village is back and it’s bigger, better, and brighter than ever.

WED - SUN | NOV 15 - DEC 23

Bring the whole family to the second annual Christkindl Markt at the Downtown Market and shop the 60+ artisan food and gift vendors, enjoy strolling holiday entertainment, partake in traditional beverages inside our German-style beverage hall, compete on the outdoor curling rinks, hang out in a private Alpenglobes, and more festive fun—all season long!

Enjoy Christmas lights and holiday bites for 28 days and nights!

West Michigan’s largest traditional European Christmas village is back and it’s bigger, better, and brighter than ever.

WED - SUN | NOV 15 - DEC 23

Bring the whole family to the second annual Christkindl Markt at the Downtown Market and shop the 60+ artisan food and gift vendors, enjoy strolling holiday entertainment, partake in traditional beverages inside our German-style beverage hall, compete on the outdoor curling rinks, hang out in a private Alpenglobes, and more festive fun—all season long!