Neighborhood Guide: Heritage Hill

According to the National Register of Historic Places, Heritage Hill is one of the largest urban historic districts in the United States. This neighborhood holds practically every style of American architecture from Old Victorian to Colonial Revival with 1,300 homes dated as early as 1843. This district has Michigan’s biggest and most exceptional collection of 19th and early 20th-century homes. Being the first neighborhood of Grand Rapids, Heritage Hill is conveniently located alongside downtown which is home to many medical institutions and some universities. In its earlier years, this neighborhood housed lumber educators, judges, and council members who influenced the development of the city.

Restaurants

Donkey Taqueria offers authentic Mexican cuisine, making their dishes from scratch with spice in every bite. This restaurant repurposed a 1920s gas station and made it its own, giving the space a vintage feel, still showing the original exposed brick.

With hand-made tortillas and fresh guacamole made daily, Donkey Taqueria still tries its hand at classic margaritas with a long open bar. The restaurant menu offers one-of-a-kind Mexican street food and finely crafted cocktails A fan favorite is their "Al Pastor" taco which consists of marinated & roasted pork shoulder, white onion, grilled pineapple, and cilantro for only $5. Their menu also features their widely loved selection of tortas, tostada, and brunch options. Donkey Taqueria is located in the heart of Wealthy Street allowing you to explore the surrounding attractions.

The Green Well offers a menu that is consistently changing to show a range of diverse global flavors made with ingredients from local vendors and an array of Michigan craft beers and wines. The Green Well is extremely eco-friendly with a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified building and recycles and composts 90% of its waste. The

restaurant also supports its community, pieces made by local artists are put on display for customers to view. Its menu holds cuisine from around the world with a popular pick being its Cuban Sandwich with braised pork, ham, onions, pickles, swiss cheese, and dijon mustard served on a hoagie bun. Other international meals include its quinoa falafel and elote salad. The Green Well opened its doors in 2007 and has been a staple ever since.

Heritage Restaurant is staffed by students of the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education out of the Grand Rapids Community College. Being the 2015 Open Table dinner award winner, this restaurant is the start of many careers and allows

the students to try their hand at culinary dishes. These students are then allowed to taste the dishes they learn during the year. Using the highest quality ingredients, the students, under the direct supervision of Chef professors and Dinning Room professors, are able to provide a fine-dining experience at an accessible price point with an in-house brewery. This restaurant is open for lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Thursday at select hours so be sure to check its website for availability. Reservations are allowed and encouraged.

Local Businesses

Founded in 1968, The Heritage Hill Association provides its neighbors and community with a way to cooperatively build a healthy and historically preserved neighborhood. This organization was founded to put a stop to renewal projects that would have demolished 75% of the neighborhood. This association aims to provide a secure and stable environment that allows its community members to live and work freely. The Heritage Hill Association now fights battles on issues concerning land use, safety concerns, preservation, parking and traffic, education, and anything else regarding the quality of life.HHA also sends out a bi-monthly newsletter that includes listings of available Heritage Hill apartments, free home surveys, community organizing, e-alerts, community resource referrals and so much more. Monthly board meetings are held every third Wednesday of the month at 7 pm. At this time, the board meetings are currently being held via Zoom. These meetings are open to the public and The Heritage Hill Association invites everyone to come and let their voice be heard.

Urban Exchange is a resale shop that holds a trendy collection of women’s clothing and accessories with up to 75% off regular retail prices. The gently worn colting and accessories are in great condition and modern with unique textures, patterns, and colors. Urban Exchange usually accepts clothes that are

“current fashion” and that have been in retail stores within the past 2 years. Come by and drop off a modern piece of clothing any time during the store's business hours and earn 40% of the selling price. Your piece will be displayed for 60 days and you can pick up your payment each month. If you would like to shop at Urban Exchange you can find yourself in the color-coded aisle with heavily discounted name-brand pieces. For fair prices and great quality, Urban Exchange is the place to shop.

Martha’s Vineyard prides itself on being more than a neighborhood store. Identifying as a wine merchant and gourmet grocer this establishment offers globally sourced wine, beer, and liquors. Specialty groceries such as its cut-to-order

cheese are produced in small farms and dairies internationally. The store features a “Made In Michigan” section that holds goods from local vendors. Its selection of fresh produce is evergrowing and the store sources locally when in season in order to give its customers a colorful and naturally produced array of fruits and vegetables.