Neighborhood Guide: Creston

Named the largest neighborhood in Grand Rapids, with over 25,000 residents, Creston is home to great schools, parks, and trails. Creston has been ranked by Realtor.com and it makes sense with the growing Creston Business District. five minutes from Downtown Grand Rapids, this neighborhood is a welcoming community filled with friendly neighbors and a devoted neighborhood association.

Restaurants

Graydon's Crossing is in the heart of the Creston District and exudes a comfy international pub atmosphere. Their menu is cultivated by their in-house chef who offers monthly world-inspired meals and exclusive daily specials. Be sure to explore their broad options of traditional and globally inspired brunch

menu on Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm. Graydon’s Crossings offers more than food with 46 beers on tap including a unique choice of microbrew and imported beers as well as an extensive selection of wines. Their meals mimic that of traditional English cuisine such as Shepard’s Pie, while also featuring some Indian dishes like butter chicken, bringing awareness to the influence of the British colonies placed in India, where colonists brought back the many spices and curries from India to their home country. Graydon’s Crossing offers outdoor dining and reservations are encouraged.

The restaurant Lucy’s is a scratch Kitchen that whips up creative local dishes. Lucy’s prides itself on supporting local farmers throughout Michigan. Offering a full bar, this brunch spot is known for its revolving door of featured dishes. This restaurant also gives back to the community, hosting school

supply drives to help Creston neighborhood schools. This space, which was originally called Daane’s Food Market, was completely renovated by the Vanderkooy family in 2016. In 2018 Lucy’s welcomed Dani Scott as head chef. One popular meal is the Spicy Hash which includes house-made ground chorizo, lucy potatoes, pickled jalapeno, goat cheese, two eggs, chimichurri, pickled red onion, and green onion on top. With limited hours, Wednesday to Sunday from 7 am to 3 pm, be sure to beat the rush when coming to Lucy’s.

Family-owned for over 60 years Choo Choo Grill offers hamburgers and other delights. With food for any occasion and a cozy ambiance, Choo Choo Grill has some of the best American food in Grand Rapids. One fan favorite is the bacon

cheeseburger, best served with a side of onion rings. Don’t be mistaken, this diner also offers vegetarian options such as their french toast which is favored among children. Claiming to have the “Best burgers on earth or anywhere else”, this spot has become a hub for locals for offering a retro and old-timey atmosphere. With the diner being a bit small, Choo Choo Grill does accommodate by allowing takeout orders.

Shopping

Established in 2012, Ken’s Fruit Market is a grocery store that has become well recognized and loved by its neighbors. The market strives to bring its customers the best quality product at

the best price. Ken’s Fruit Market holds the freshest produce with in-season options available year-round. With in-house butchers, the market is able to prepare the best cuts of meat daily. The store also holds a wide variety of groceries, and garden center products, and even holds its own private label products. Ken’s fruit market only offers Beer and Wine selections at its Plainfield and Ionia location.

In the past 30 years, the LaFontsee Gallery has become a leader in the West Michigan art scene. The gallery has received multiple awards and collected national recognition. With exemplary artwork, LaFontsee Gallery now holds over sixty artists and although its goal is to sell the displayed artwork, it

aims to further the comprehension and appreciation of art overall. With an enthusiastic commitment to bringing awareness to the arts, LaFontsee Gallery contributes heavily to multiple community events and non-profit organizations, among them being the Grand Rapids Art Museum, the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, and many other notable associations. Services are offered as well including art handling and installation, printing, digital photo restoration, consulting, and framing.

Natural Inclinations

For a perfect view of the Grand River visit Riverside Park. Being at least 100 acres, this park is one of the biggest in Grand Rapids. In recent years Riverside Park has undergone some upgrades, it now features the city’s first accessible kayak launch, a new picnic shelter, and a new and improved restroom building. The park offers the space to pursue many activities including disc golf, and fishing as well having a playground, pavilions with grills, and a 3.7-mile multi-use trail. Riverside even offers free Wi-Fi! The park is susceptible to flooding so plan properly after heavy rain.

For the youth is the New City Farm. This farm, while growing delicious food, also works hard to impact its surrounding community. Being youth-led, each summer the farm employs 10-15 high school students to train, these employees learn all about the work that goes into organic vegetable growing. These same students also take part in a curriculum centered around

job skills, anti-racism, food, and faith. The New City Farm is a christ-centered, faith-based organization that also addresses the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual parts that come together to form a person and the community. This farm feeds 250 families through the community-supported agriculture program and is one of the only farms in West Michigan that accepts EBT payment for its farm shares. The farm has recently partnered with Grand Valley State University’s sustainability department and now grows on one acre of land on their Allendale Campus. Its next volunteer Day will be October 8th and you can apply at .

Activities

Held at the Golden Age at Creston Brewery every second Monday of the month is adult storytime. Sponsored by the Grand Rapids Public Library Foundation, adult story time is a perfect event for those who share a love for the written word and have a more mature taste. Library staff and special guests sit down and read short stories aloud. The next event, October 10, will be hosted by special guest drag artist Star Buxom who has some scary stories to share for the spooky Halloween holiday. These readings take place from 6:30 pm until 7:30 pm, there are complementary appetizers served on a first come first serve basis. There is also a full bar and menu available for purchase.