Two new Downtown businesses today will cut the red ribbon and open their doors to customers.

[HAS Heart], which sells fashion apparel and lifestyle products to benefit U.S. veterans, will hold a grand opening today at 5:00 PM at 115 South Division.

Bombadil Books, a co-op style bookstore offering used and rare books, binding services and related workshops, will hold a Grand Opening today at 5:30 PM at 315 South Division.

Mayor-Elect Rosalynn Bliss will attend and participate in both events.

The two new businesses bring to at least 40 the total number of new primarily ground floor Downtown businesses either opened, in development or announced during the past six months. The data is based on an audit of new business announcements and a visual inventory of Downtown storefronts conducted by Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. staff.

To put the 40 in context, a total of 27 new businesses opened Downtown in fiscal year 2014.

While the working list of new businesses includes a variety of different types of enterprise, the majority appear to be small, locally-owned businesses focused on food, art, clothing and other retail services.

Here’s DGRI’s running tally of new storefront businesses Downtown:

  • Woosah Outfitters
  • Black Heron Kitchen & Bar
  • Jam ‘N Bean
  • Dead Solez
  • Bultema Group
  • Second Dance Formal Consignment
  • Michigan Pantry
  • The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck
  • Brothers Leather Supply Co.
  • 377 Project Space
  • KNIT It
  • Bombadil Books
  • Cinnerific
  • VILLA
  • Luna
  • Sidebar
  • Slow’s BBQ
  • Gita Pita
  • The Artist’s Studio
  • Electric Hero
  • Barking Mitten
  • The Oddest Supply Co.
  • Michigan First Credit Union
  • Fido & Stitch
  • Bretzel
  • [Has Heart]
  • Watercolors Aquarium Gallery
  • The Wheelhouse
  • New Holland Brewing Company
  • Brick & Porter
  • Iron
  • CKO Kickboxing
  • Social Bar & Kitchen
  • Bold Socks (holidays, then formal open in spring)
  • Yet-To-Be-Named Essence Restaurant @ 820 Monroe
  • Atwater Brewing
  • City Built Brewing Company
  • Gray Skies Distillery
  • Brush Studios
  • The Sovengard

If you know of others, please email us with the business name and address.

Update November 20, 2015: An earlier announcement mistakenly included Making Thyme Kitchen. We removed the reference.

Update November 23, 2015: Brush Studios added.