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(Some of the) Best GR Patios

Share the goods.

A winge glass on a table with bread in the background.

Aaah…summer. We know Michigan summer looks different this year due to quarantine, social distancing, masks and limited togetherness, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy Grand Rapids patios.
We especially love that Grand Rapids created social zones to give our local restaurants more room to serve our community and offset the revenue loss of cutting capacity. You can read more about the social zones here. 
Our team gets into some heated debates on the best patios, as well as the best sides of town. We would love to hear your favorites. Send them to di*****@**************************ed.com.
Below are just a few of our favorites. If you choose to visit one of these amazing businesses, respect the mask rule, a.k.a. don’t be a dick.

Eastown/Cherry Hill

The Prickly Pear margarita is “to die for” at Donkey and is a perfect match with their guac. As one member of the team says, “bury me in their guac.” We have never been known for our subtleness. 
The Outside Coffee Co. is literally (yes, we overuse this word) the coolest place to hang out. Grab your dog and head there for coffee, snacks and lots of social distancing. We’re seriously bummed we didn’t think of this idea, and can we please live in your trailer?

West Side

Hello, Butcher’s Union. Their inside patio is pretty damn unique. It’s hard to get a seat there, but if you go during the week, you’ll have better luck. Also, get their Paloma. You can thank us later.
Looking to hang out and buy drinks from a shipping container? We have just the place for you—The Sovengard, located right across the street from Butcher’s Union. We basically just set you up for a pub crawl. 

Northeast Side

Perhaps a little known gem on the Northeast side is Brickyard Tavern, formerly known as JD Reardons. The menu is amazing, and the outdoor patio overlooks the condo pool. You’re very tempted to just jump in. 
Looking for the best tacos and some amazing beer? Head on over to CityBuilt Brewing. Get the Barbacoa taco. That’s not a suggestion. That’s a demand.
We know this isn’t a comprehensive list, and we suggest you check out TwoGuys Brewing, Bud & Stanley’s, and many many more.
 
If you’re looking for a guided tour, get ahold of us. We’ll bring our own mask. 

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Introducing our third speaker for Uncomfortable Conversations | The Pause, happening this Thursday. 

Meet @bitnermd, co-founder of @true.womenshealth, a concierge practice in West Michigan, focused on helping women thrive through midlife while reducing chronic conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, depression, and diabetes. 

Dr. Bitner is a board-certified OB/GYN specializing in midlife, menopause, and sexual health. She’s the author of I Want to Age Like That! and has published peer-reviewed research on menopause care. She was named Menopause Practitioner of the Year by The Menopause Society in 2015. Dr. Bitner is committed to translating evidence into practical, scalable solutions that improve women’s health, confidence, and participation at work and in life. We’re beyond excited to have her join our panel discussion this Thursday. 

Register now to hear from Dr. Bitner and the rest of our industry experts at The Pause on September 24th. 

Secure your spot at the link in bio.
Every WOSB deserves support, access, guidance, and a network, because when they have it, they’re unstoppable.

Just because you be small, does not mean you are not mighty. The Women’s Owners Network will accept its first cohort this November. Applications are due October 1.

Thank you to @lakemichigan_cu for partnering with us to provide this program. Their support means we can offer this at a significantly lower cost to business owners.

Go apply at the link in bio.
Introducing our second speaker for Uncomfortable Conversations | The Pause, happening this Thursday. 

Meet Cheryl Bergman, Executive Director of the @miwomenscomm.

Cheryl is a statewide policy leader driving economic opportunity and better health outcomes for women across Michigan. Appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2019, she brings together employers, healthcare experts, advocates, and policymakers to tackle the issues that actually move the needle - economic security, affordable childcare, and midlife women's health.

Before this role, Cheryl helped elect Michigan's first woman U.S. Senator and first woman Governor, and served as Senior Advisor on Governor Whitmer's 2018 campaign.

She's exactly the voice this conversation needs.

Join Cheryl and our powerhouse lineup of industry experts at The Pause on September 24th. 

Link in bio to register - spaces are going fast.
We love this trend, so we thought we’d jump on it and ask the team some “hard-hitting questions” to end the week. 

We’re a team made up of Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. Find out who knows the most about the classics. Any guesses?
We've received so many questions from new grads about breaking into a competitive market as a young professional. It starts with one thing according to @bodespeaks: being the salesperson of YOU. Emulate the leaders in your industry and show up where they show up.

It's not who you know, it's who knows you
Use the playbook of people you admire
Show up consistently and be seen
A handwritten note beats 100 LinkedIn messages, always.

See more Bode wisdom at her YouTube channel linked in our bio.
Meet our first speaker spotlight: Dr. Karen May, DC, CCSP, CCIP.

Dr. May owns and operates @mhneuropathycenter, and she's joining us for Uncomfortable Community Conversations: The Pause on September 24th to talk about something we don't talk about enough. 

Her career has spanned from elite sports medicine, including a stint as team physician for USA Bobsled and Skeleton as well as caring for pregnant moms and newborns and helping women navigate life’s transitions, always grounded in a belief in food as medicine and the body’s own capacity to heal. In 2017, that expertise was tested when a rare surgical complication left her fighting nerve damage in her own body. 

Drawing on decades of clinical practice and training, she rebuilt her health from the ground up — and has since helped thousands of people do the same. With over 20 years in holistic health care, she speaks today as both physician and peer.

Join us for The Pause on September 24th. Link in bio.
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