Article Summary –
Businesses in Grand Rapids, Michigan, were deciding whether to open following a citywide boil water advisory due to a major water main break. The advisory is expected to severely impact local food and beverage businesses already struggling due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Some businesses like the Lantern Coffee Bar and Lounge are remaining open with limited service by using bottled water and shutting off city taps, while other businesses decided to close completely until the water issue is resolved.
Grand Rapids Businesses Adapt to Boil Water Advisory Amid Water Main Break Repairs
Businesses impacted by the boil water advisory in Grand Rapids were faced with the tough decision whether to open or close as the city works to repair a major water main break. The city-issued advisory was sent out on Sunday, March 17, affecting residences and businesses east of U.S. 131 and north of Hall Street. An estimated 20,000 customers are affected, a sizable portion of them being businesses whose operations were abruptly interrupted.
Rich App, a specialist in retail, retention and attraction at the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, noted the increase in calls starting from 5:30 a.m. on Monday. He emphasized how challenging it is for food and beverage businesses, given they have already been bearing the brunt of economic difficulties over the past few years. Here is a map of the areas affected by the advisory.
Businesses such as Lantern Coffee Bar and Lounge and Madcap Coffee took swift action to adapt to the situation. Despite using a reverse osmosis water filtration system, Lantern had to shut off and drain all city water taps due to the advisory. They resorted to using bottled distilled water and have communicated updates about their operating hours and coffee brewing tips through social media.
Madcap Coffee similarly limited its services, eliminating espresso and iced drinks until they received jugs of spring water and ice deliveries. Founder Trevor Corlett expressed optimism about returning to full service by Monday afternoon with the aid of Absopure, a Michigan-based bottled water company they use for catering. Related: Grand Rapids schools to close Tuesday over boil-water advisory.
Restaurant Partners Management, operating 16 Grand Rapids-area restaurants, also made quick adjustments to continue operations amid the advisory. Vendors like Gordon Food Service and Pepsi made on-time deliveries of bottled water and sodas, keeping businesses afloat even with the increased expenses.
Meanwhile, some restaurants have made the difficult decision to not open for dinner service, such as San Chez Tapas Bistro and Beacon Corner Bar. Others are using their equipment to boil large quantities of water before service, including City Built Brewing, which will continue its service with the ability to boil 700 gallons of water in large kettles.
Business owners have become more collaborative and supportive of each other during this time, taking lessons learned from the pandemic pivot. The hope is that this sentiment extends to customers who will continue to support food and beverage businesses amid this latest challenge. Visit CityBuilt Brewing’s Facebook page for more updates.
Please note that the list of businesses temporarily closed as of Monday, 3/18, is not exhaustive. Always check social media and websites for up-to-date operating hours during the boil water advisory.
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