why we love Eastown
“We’re very intentional about creating diversity in our community and creating space for people who are at different places in their spiritual journey, and people who are from different socio-economic backgrounds.” “All these things are in Eastown.”
Andre Daley Lead pastor on Eastown
about eastown
The 70 blocks of Eastown are built on a Native American trail that led from reed’s Lake to the Grand River
In the 1800′s settlers used the trails and farms established small farms in the area. By 1875 there was a streetcar running from Reeds Lake to downtown and Eastown became an attractive place for city expansion.
The first homeowners in Eastown were professionals (lawyers, doctors, and executives) who were affluent and white. The heart of Eastown was host to grocery stores, drug stores, bakeries, laundry, a theater, and hardware, toys, and clothing stores. There were several educational institutions including four colleges, two parochial schools and a public elementary school. There were however, no factories or churches.
The second half of the 20th century brought diversity to Eastown as the African American population rose form 3 in 1960 to 25% in 1970. Like many urban neighborhoods of the day Eastown experienced the effects of white flight. Many white students withdrew from public schools. The neighborhood was also impacted by the departure of many commercial businesses also closed and Calvin College’s move to a new location.
Sparked by the efforts of Aquinas College the Eastown Community Association was formed. The ECA has been working to to improve and enhance life in Eastown ever since. Eastown Street Fair, Bizarre Bazaar, and Holly Day Artist Market have brought an artistic flair to the neighborhood and attracted an eclectic and vibrant population, including young professionals, artisans and students.
Today Eastown is a diverse, vibrant, and exciting community home to people racial, socio-economic and spiritual diversity, a thriving business district as well several churches.
Noted Eastown Entertainment hot spots include the Kava House Coffeehouse, Bombay Cuisine (Indian restaurant), Billy’s (Blues bar), and Wolfgang’s Restaurant.
Based on research from Community Research Institute
Eastown: cool, before it was cool
A community where residential, commercial and institutional interests converge to create a vibrant, urban neighborhood of choice characterized by commitment to diversity, sustainability, economic growth and the highest possible quality of life for all.
Eastown did it the way Eastown does everything—different than everyone else.
Most communities get their start because people find a nice place to settle down. Then the residents want a few amenities, so the grocery stores, shops, and taverns pop up. But not in Eastown.
Eastown started with the amenities. Then, after the people saw what a nice place it was, they moved in. And they stayed.
In the 1800s, when the streetcar lines were a thriving enterprise, Eastown was the layover stop for the line that ran between Reeds Lake and downtown Grand Rapids. The passengers were affluent whites who could afford to ride the streetcars. Near the intersection of the five corners—Lake Drive, Wealthy, and Norwood—passengers had to disembark to switch lines. They had nothing to do while they waited for the next streetcar. They were hungry, thirsty, and had money to spend but no place to spend it. In response to the demand, the supply showed up. Restaurants, grocery stores, and clothing shops lined the streetcar tracks, and Eastown was born.
Today, Eastown is the hippest community going. Historic brick streets lined with trees and flowers lead to art galleries, coffee shops, and ethnic restaurants. Mingled among them are video stores, rare book dealers, comic book shops, antique and local retail shops. You will find businesses that have called Eastown home for over a quarter century. The business district is just a few blocks from Reeds Lake, around the corner from Aquinas College, and down the street from the vaudeville-era Wealthy Street Theater.
Way cool attitude
Located comfortably between downtown Grand Rapids and the inner suburb of East Grand Rapids, Eastown is the seat of the city’s alternative, hipster scene. Some refer to the area as the ‘Greenwich Village of Grand Rapids.’
The district also is known as the city’s gathering place. With coffee shops like Kava House, blues bars like Billy’s, and one-of-a-kind restaurants like Yesterdog, Sammy’s, Bombay Cuisine, and Wolfgang’s, Eastown draws an eclectic mix people from all over the city for breakfast, lunch, and night life.
For more information about Eastown see the Rapid Growth: Visiting, Moving & Investing guides
Directions to Eastown by bus
Ride the Rapid to Eastown. Route 6 travels through Eastown on its route between downtown Grand Rapids and Woodland Mall. Catch the bus downtown at the corner of Fountain and Division streets and make the six-minute ride to Eastown. The bus runs every 15 minutes, Monday through Friday, and every 30 minutes on weekends.
Directions to Eastown by car
From the North:
Take US-131 South toward Grand Rapids and merge onto I-196 East via Exit 86A on the left toward Lansing. Take the Fuller Ave exit, Exit 79. Turn right onto Fuller Ave NE and then turn left onto Lake Dr SE. Arrive in Eastown.
From the East:
Take I-96 West toward Grand Rapids and keep left to take I-196 West toward Downtown Grand Rapids/Holland. Take Exit 79 for Fuller Ave and turn left onto Fuller Ave NE. Turn left onto Lake Dr SE and arrive in Eastown.
From the South:
Take US-131 North toward Grand Rapids and merge onto I-196 East via Exit 86A toward Lansing. Take the Fuller Ave exit, Exit 79. Turn right onto Fuller Ave NE and then turn left onto Lake Dr SE. Arrive in Eastown.
From the West:
Take I-196 East toward Grand Rapids. Take the Fuller Ave exit, Exit 79. Turn right onto Fuller Ave NE and then turn left onto Lake Dr SE. Arrive in Eastown.
Take I-96 East toward Grand Rapids and merge onto US-131 South via Exit 31A towards Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo. Merge onto I-196 East via Exit 86A on the left toward Lansing. Take the Fuller Ave exit, Exit 79. Turn right onto Fuller Ave NE and then turn left onto Lake Dr SE. Arrive in Eastown.
